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The strangest thing about writing this preview was identifying the date — 1 January 2020. It really doesn’t seem that long since we were ushering in the Millennium. 2020 heralds a new Decade and I hope that all boarders will enjoy a good and positive year ahead.
I also hope that Colchester can achieve that elusive promotion to League One.
With that aim in mind we entertain Crawley — the red Devils at the JSCS this afternoon. Now led by John Yems they have had a decent Christmas period with only one defeat in five games since assuming control.
I expect the Super U’s to see them off though 3-0 today.
The only fly in the ointment is the inordinate amount of injuries that we have sustained recently.
Cohen Bramall — ankle injury Courtney Senior - injury then worsened in the warm up the other day with a groin tweak Luke Prosser — knee injury Paris Cowan-Hall — achilles injury Omar Sowunmi — unknown but hopefully not serious Tom Lapslie — Red card so banned today
We will also have to match at the very least our points tally from the first half of the season to be in the play off mix and better it by at least 6 points to garner at least 82 points for an automatic promotion spot.
Tough times indeed we are 9 games unbeaten though and no disrespect to Crawley, but we must see them off today.
The weather here in Durham is bright after a frosty start, Colchester weather is 5 degrees Celsius cloudy but dry. The pitch which has been difficult should be improving for this afternoon.
JM has more limited options for a first XI today, but the advantage of a large squad is strength in depth. It seems likely that Theo Robinson will have his loan extended and although the various sites are coy about it JM has the cash to strengthen things if necessary.
Two changes are likely at the back with Clampin and Kensdale likely to come in for the injured Bramall and Sowunmi (and Prosser) who were both injured against Exeter.
Gerken
Jackson Kensdale Eastman Clampin
Pell Stevenson Comley
Gambin Robinson Harriott
Subs:
Ross Fernandes Norris Poku Nouble Hasanally Brown
IMHO Jevani Brown must be at least on the bench today and could we have some progress update on Junior who is becoming Bonne mark two.
A decent crowd will be expected today with the chance to close in on the top three.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
Durham_exile
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 11:07 - Jan 1 with 800 views
If there is ever a good time for suspensions and injuries, it is now. 4 games coming up against basement dwellers. That proposed squad Durham should be enough to beat Crawley. Wouldn’t mind Norris to be selected just for some fresh legs.
Will be in the air on the way back to England when full-time is blown. Here’s hoping for some good news when I check my phone upon touchdown at Stansted.
Up the U’s!
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 13:10 - Jan 1 with 783 views
Thanks for that Durham and will be trying to keep up to date from the Dead Sea, Jordan so here is hoping for a win today to keep us in close contact with the top three.
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 14:26 - Jan 1 with 769 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 13:10 - Jan 1 by burnsieespana
Thanks for that Durham and will be trying to keep up to date from the Dead Sea, Jordan so here is hoping for a win today to keep us in close contact with the top three.
Not the Dead Sea but darkest Durham which is actually quite bright today
Team
Gerken
Jackson Eastman Prosser Clampin
Pell Stevenson
Harriott Gambin Nouble
Robinson
Subs Norris Comley James Kensdale Ross Fernandes Poku
Good to see Prosser back
UTU's
Durham_exile
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 15:52 - Jan 1 with 754 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 14:26 - Jan 1 by durham_exile
Not the Dead Sea but darkest Durham which is actually quite bright today
Team
Gerken
Jackson Eastman Prosser Clampin
Pell Stevenson
Harriott Gambin Nouble
Robinson
Subs Norris Comley James Kensdale Ross Fernandes Poku
Good to see Prosser back
UTU's
Turgid first half performance - ghastly mistake littered shambles, such a contrast to the Exeter effort. Robinson clueless, get rid. Gerken has kept us in the game as Crawley look like they could score anytime.
Second half has to be better. Truly awful so far from us, sorry.
Moor Pinot
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 16:18 - Jan 1 with 739 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 15:52 - Jan 1 by Moor_Pinot
Turgid first half performance - ghastly mistake littered shambles, such a contrast to the Exeter effort. Robinson clueless, get rid. Gerken has kept us in the game as Crawley look like they could score anytime.
Second half has to be better. Truly awful so far from us, sorry.
60 mins still 0-0
JM must change it up Norris and Poku on bench
UTU's
Durham_exile
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 16:21 - Jan 1 with 738 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 16:53 - Jan 1 by durham_exile
Injuries mounting up 10 games unbeaten but two points dropped today
A very jaded and flat performance unfortunately, matched by a determination from Crawley that I wasn’t expecting. Great strike from Frank to give us a lead that we barely deserved, and I really thought we might just manage to hold on to it, but what a messy way to concede the equaliser. A shame that last chance for Norris didn’t win it, but to be honest I thought he’d done well to get it even close. You’re right Durham, even if the unbeaten run continues, it was definitely two home points dropped, and need an immediate bounce back on Saturday.
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 18:08 - Jan 1 by wessex_exile
A very jaded and flat performance unfortunately, matched by a determination from Crawley that I wasn’t expecting. Great strike from Frank to give us a lead that we barely deserved, and I really thought we might just manage to hold on to it, but what a messy way to concede the equaliser. A shame that last chance for Norris didn’t win it, but to be honest I thought he’d done well to get it even close. You’re right Durham, even if the unbeaten run continues, it was definitely two home points dropped, and need an immediate bounce back on Saturday.
Spot on Wessex. An excellent goal but the rest was desperately poor after the Exeter performance. There's still a lot of difference between the top three and us, quality and preparation wise.
Moor Pinot
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 18:48 - Jan 1 with 679 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 18:23 - Jan 1 by Moor_Pinot
Spot on Wessex. An excellent goal but the rest was desperately poor after the Exeter performance. There's still a lot of difference between the top three and us, quality and preparation wise.
What is really disappointing is the inconsistency of performance.
Injuries are taking their toll.
Clampin off and James on today leaves us desperately short of left back cover.
The back four which has been superb all season is now down to three and although midfield and striking departments are relatively strong JM has refused to consider Brown who was heralded by many as a key signing. He cost £315K but has been a bit player at best.
He must be given another chance and so should Junior.
One of JM failings is favouritism and this is borne out by failing to play so called fringe players.
Three points is now essential at both Stevenage and Morecambe if we are serious about promotion.
I am definitely going to the Globe Arena and am still debating the trip south on Saturday.
I do not want a wasted journey with another insipid display.
Our squad is good enough to achieve promotion but this indifferent form must end.
Give Brown a chance and play Junior who may be the catalyst to kick start our striking options.
JM needs to be brave and go for it.
Draws whether home or away are not good enough. I expect Stevenage to be given the treatment on Saturday. No more excuses.
UTU's
Durham_exile
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 19:34 - Jan 1 with 665 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 18:48 - Jan 1 by durham_exile
What is really disappointing is the inconsistency of performance.
Injuries are taking their toll.
Clampin off and James on today leaves us desperately short of left back cover.
The back four which has been superb all season is now down to three and although midfield and striking departments are relatively strong JM has refused to consider Brown who was heralded by many as a key signing. He cost £315K but has been a bit player at best.
He must be given another chance and so should Junior.
One of JM failings is favouritism and this is borne out by failing to play so called fringe players.
Three points is now essential at both Stevenage and Morecambe if we are serious about promotion.
I am definitely going to the Globe Arena and am still debating the trip south on Saturday.
I do not want a wasted journey with another insipid display.
Our squad is good enough to achieve promotion but this indifferent form must end.
Give Brown a chance and play Junior who may be the catalyst to kick start our striking options.
JM needs to be brave and go for it.
Draws whether home or away are not good enough. I expect Stevenage to be given the treatment on Saturday. No more excuses.
UTU's
Have just seen the highlights now two presentable chances Pell against Exeter and Chuck against Crawley could have produced four more valuable points.
Big Franks goal was superb.
The own goal was farcical but at least the unbeaten run continues.
UTU's
Durham_exile
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 19:57 - Jan 1 with 659 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 19:34 - Jan 1 by durham_exile
Have just seen the highlights now two presentable chances Pell against Exeter and Chuck against Crawley could have produced four more valuable points.
Big Franks goal was superb.
The own goal was farcical but at least the unbeaten run continues.
UTU's
Yes Pell has missed three certain goals in his role as occasional cf to make up for the misgivings of the woeful Robinson. These dropped points aren't happening to Exeters even with ten men, to Swindon or to Crewe who just smack goals in for fun. You are right Durham there's little thought given to team balance, there do seem to be favourites. Where's Chilvers, someone Championship sides were interested in. Stevenson was total crap today but where wasyComley, a consistent player? I think your injury concern re Clampin maybe unfounded, he had a decent second half as an overlapping back and got bad cramp, nothing worse. Wessex is right Crawley were well up for it and could well have won. It's an unbeaten run but it's only five wins. As you say Brown has to tried and Junior. Norris isn't in any form and Robinson is a similar liability to Senior. Harriot and Gerken were good today and Frank deserved his goal. Prosser was a very steady influence yet visibly furious with several teammates. He had cause.
Moor Pinot
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 22:29 - Jan 1 with 629 views
A dreadful first-half performance, as bad as anything this season. But I thought the second-half was a lot better, and one goal should have been enough to win the game. That was because Crawley offered absolutely nothing going forward in the second-half, and the only time I can remember them getting into our penalty area they score a calamitous goal. Player was not offside in the build up, as fans thought he was, but why didn't Jackson bust a gut to stop the cross. Then under no pressure we manage to put the ball into our own net.
mfb
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 15:32 - Jan 2 with 585 views
A prone Palmer sent the ball goalwards with his arm (not head as he claimed), then it hit Prossers groin and slid over. If we had VAR it would have been disallowed and a free kick awarded to the U's for handball, but one can understand the referee and linesman view being obscured. Palmer then belatedly goes down holding his head when told it was an own goal. Then the Crawley manager claims he headed it. Cheat! Whilst too late to change things hope the dubious goals panel leave it as an own goal. The TV replay shows it was arm not head.
[Post edited 2 Jan 2020 15:33]
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Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 16:26 - Jan 2 with 573 views
Red Devils to be roasted at the JSCS by Super U's on 15:32 - Jan 2 by noah4x4
A prone Palmer sent the ball goalwards with his arm (not head as he claimed), then it hit Prossers groin and slid over. If we had VAR it would have been disallowed and a free kick awarded to the U's for handball, but one can understand the referee and linesman view being obscured. Palmer then belatedly goes down holding his head when told it was an own goal. Then the Crawley manager claims he headed it. Cheat! Whilst too late to change things hope the dubious goals panel leave it as an own goal. The TV replay shows it was arm not head.
[Post edited 2 Jan 2020 15:33]
The Groundhopper FC video on YouTube shows it clear as day - play it at x0.25 speed from about 6:43.
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