| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill 22:21 - Mar 22 with 5866 views | durham_exile |
“You ask, what is our aim? I can answer that in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs – victory in spite of all terrors – victory however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.” Winston Churchill 13 May 1940.
DC and NC should pin these words above the changing room door at Field Mill tomorrow.
If anyone is in any doubt as to the seriousness of our situation they have only to glance at the current league table.
Grimsby 37 39
COL U 36 33
FGR 38 33
Sutton 39 30
Remaining fixtures:
Colchester 36 33
Mansfield A
Newport H
Tranmere A
Wrexham H
Stockport H
Crawley A
Grimsby H
Notts Co A
Doncaster H
Crewe H
FGR 38 33
Doncaster A
Stockport H
Crewe A
MK Dons H
Mansfield A
Wrexham A
Morecambe A
Notts Co H
Sutton 39 30
Accrington H
Salford A
Swindon H
Stockport H
Harrogate A
Crawley H
MK Dons A
Now here’s the thing, Sky have chosen this game because the Stags are scoring goals for fun and having defeated Harrogate 9-1 they put 5 past Bradford City and so everyone is expecting a home victory.
I hate the expression free hit; we go to Field Mill content in the knowledge that recent games at Mansfield have been close affairs. 2 draws, 2 defeats and a victory are what I have seen since 2019.
Tomorrow gives the U’s the perfect chance to secure three vital points and to send out a message to Gloucestershire and South London that they are the ones going down to the National League rather than the team from North Essex.
It just remains to ask how brave will DC be in his team selection.
Mansfield are likely to line up something like this: 4,3,1,2
Pym
Bowery Flint Brunt Cargill
Boateng Reed Keillor-Dunn
Quinn
Swan Akins
I want DC to bring his “A” game and go toe to toe with the Stags: 4,3,1,2
Goodman
Richardson Dallison Hall Iandolo
Fevrier Chilvers Read
McGeehan
Ihionvien Tovide
Subs:
Hornby Jay Wilkinson Edwards Smith Harbottle Anderson
Clearly Iandolo has been training with the first team as has Tovide who also had 45 minutes in the Essex Senior Cup Final. I don’t think Kells will be back for this one.
DC has rightly said that he expects the whole squad to be involved for the vital run in.
He however must be brave and play two up top to give the Stags something to think about. Sitting back and inviting pressure is simply not an option. Take the game to them, get some crosses into the strikers and give them some valuable service, it will pay dividends.
This is a game where the players should not need motivation. Live on Sky, albeit a lunchtime kick off, will put players in the shop window. Chilvers must be at the last chance saloon but can he rise to the occasion with a big game and three points on the line.
Whatever happens we must not leave there at about 2:20pm cursing our luck because we failed to go forward, create chances and actually take some of them. Give the travelling faithful something to celebrate at Field Mill, a classic away win. Be brave and committed, totally determined to put one over on Clough and his table toppers.
Nothing must be left on the pitch but blood, sweat, toil and tears of joy (with apologies to the great man).
I am predicting a 3-2 victory for the U’s. Mansfield will score, that is inevitable, but let us have the passion, fight and determination to succeed. My son tells me that you can get 5-1 on the U’s to win. That must be worth a pony in anyone’s book (even those who only ever have a flutter on the National (the horse race, not the league!).
The faithful will be up for the fight, they will be giving their all at Field Mill. We are long overdue a classic victory against one of the so-called top teams. They have to play slightly below par (or perhaps complacency will be their downfall) whilst we have to turn up and want it more than them.
The players are on satellite TV, it is a match like every other, still three points at stake but unlike every other it is a game that we are expected to lose. Even many Colchester supporters on the social media sites are predicting a defeat, but the true blue and whites know that it is our moment tomorrow.
Early kick off - 8 degrees Celsius, early morning rain then partly sunny but breezy. A full sized but only three sides to the pitch with the infamous boarded TV gantry stand casting a shadow over proceedings.
Safe journey to the travelling faithful. Enjoy the game, whether actually at the game or on Sky. I am travelling the 125 miles from Durham and it will mean an earlier start for me than usual.
Let the cry of Essex, Essex, Essex ring out combined with “we pay your benefits” as a depressed Clough sinks to his knees after DC inflicts a classic defeat upon the Stags.
This season truly starts tomorrow.
Up the U’s
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 19:43 - Mar 23 with 1016 views | franksic1988 |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 17:18 - Mar 23 by TheOldOakTree |
There are no bad teams, the difference between top and bottom is small compared with other seasons.
On current form, nobody deserves to drop out of the league this year, it will be very fine margins as to who ends up in the bottom two.
Based on todays performance, nobody should say that we are not trying or that we don't want it. |
If the difference between top and bottom teams is small like you stated,,, why can’t we win games then.
I do think we will stay up….. but this drawing all the time has to change. Mansfield have won 20 (lost and drawn 19 ) so they win every other game. We wasn’t playing Man City !
3 draws is 3 points… Sutton and FG Rovers can make that up in 1 game. With games being crucial at this rate we will end up stuffed if they win 1or 2 more |  | | |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 19:46 - Mar 23 with 1014 views | durham_exile |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 17:20 - Mar 23 by Moor_Pinot |
We're doing much better than I expected Durham. As I keep saying "one win" will be very significant.
As for the others we have no influence but I suspect neither Grimsby nor Swindon are comfy. |
Pinot, three points against Newport will set us up nicely for Tranmere.
Interesting results today. Sides safe in mid table appear to be on the beach already.
The Bantams are on permanent leave! | |
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 08:19 - Mar 24 with 927 views | bwildered |
One interesting fact that arose from the Sky blurb .
Youngest average starting team in top four divs .
Blackcats 22 yrs 356 days
Posh. 23yrs 103 days
U’s. 23 yrs 325 days
Which led to the statement that we were not street wise enough . [Post edited 24 Mar 8:31]
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 09:53 - Mar 24 with 890 views | TheOldOakTree |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 19:43 - Mar 23 by franksic1988 |
If the difference between top and bottom teams is small like you stated,,, why can’t we win games then.
I do think we will stay up….. but this drawing all the time has to change. Mansfield have won 20 (lost and drawn 19 ) so they win every other game. We wasn’t playing Man City !
3 draws is 3 points… Sutton and FG Rovers can make that up in 1 game. With games being crucial at this rate we will end up stuffed if they win 1or 2 more |
Stop. Who approacheth the Bridge of Death must answer me these questions three, ere the other side he see.
Ask me the questions, bridgekeeper. I'm not afraid.
What... is your favourite colour?
What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Why … can’t the U’s win games?
You’re going to have to make the last question easier
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 09:23 - Mar 25 with 775 views | bwildered |
Much welcome for the U’s to be chosen for a televised game, although the premise was probably to see the league leaders score a hatful against a relegation threatened side.
However has exposure become a disadvantage, yes all clubs get coverage of goals weekly, but a full 90 mins shows more about personal, positions and set up of the side comprehensively.
More confidence from opposition in playing the U’s to the end of the season with more information gathered from the viewing will pre warn clubs . | |
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 11:12 - Mar 25 with 758 views | burnsieespana |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 09:23 - Mar 25 by bwildered |
Much welcome for the U’s to be chosen for a televised game, although the premise was probably to see the league leaders score a hatful against a relegation threatened side.
However has exposure become a disadvantage, yes all clubs get coverage of goals weekly, but a full 90 mins shows more about personal, positions and set up of the side comprehensively.
More confidence from opposition in playing the U’s to the end of the season with more information gathered from the viewing will pre warn clubs . |
I suspect canny enough to realise that and to make changes as doesn seem afraid to shuffle the pack from game to game.
Saw somewhwre on line someody suggesting he had masterminded the two postponements as apparently hs a track record of doing so to squeeze every last advantage |  | | |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 17:29 - Mar 25 with 713 views | mfb_cufc |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 09:23 - Mar 25 by bwildered |
Much welcome for the U’s to be chosen for a televised game, although the premise was probably to see the league leaders score a hatful against a relegation threatened side.
However has exposure become a disadvantage, yes all clubs get coverage of goals weekly, but a full 90 mins shows more about personal, positions and set up of the side comprehensively.
More confidence from opposition in playing the U’s to the end of the season with more information gathered from the viewing will pre warn clubs . |
I can see what you are saying, but managers are able to get a video of all games these days, so it shouldn't make any difference. |  |
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 17:38 - Mar 25 with 712 views | mfb_cufc |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 11:12 - Mar 25 by burnsieespana |
I suspect canny enough to realise that and to make changes as doesn seem afraid to shuffle the pack from game to game.
Saw somewhwre on line someody suggesting he had masterminded the two postponements as apparently hs a track record of doing so to squeeze every last advantage |
I think it is bit much to suggest DC would mastermind getting the games postponed, but I am sure he was probably pleased to some extent, as gives him more time to get the injured players back, and we will finish the season with a lot of home games. | |
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 18:40 - Mar 25 with 690 views | wessex_exile |
If DC can influence whether it rains or not, he's tapped into a higher authority and clearly the right man for the U's! |  |
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 18:54 - Mar 25 with 685 views | Moor_Pinot |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 18:40 - Mar 25 by wessex_exile |
If DC can influence whether it rains or not, he's tapped into a higher authority and clearly the right man for the U's! |
Quite so Wessex!
Hope the rain here today avoids Colchester so we can win on Friday - 55mm since 10am. |  |
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| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 22:11 - Mar 25 with 645 views | mfb_cufc |
| DC's Blue and White Army to ensure Stags are in a rut at Field Mill on 18:54 - Mar 25 by Moor_Pinot |
Quite so Wessex!
Hope the rain here today avoids Colchester so we can win on Friday - 55mm since 10am. |
No rain here today Pinot, but the forecast doesn't look good for the next four days. Hopefully with the new pitch dimensions we will be alright. | |
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