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What a difference seven days can make – from the depths of Barrow despair, through Cantabrigian rekindled hope to the elation of brushing Barnet aside last Saturday. Mr Hat Trick Jack Payne has rightly claimed the headlines for his stunning performance, but spare a thought for super sub Jaden Williams. He terrorised a poor Barnet defence from the moment he came on, twisting Collinge into a pretzel before drawing the most straightforward of penalties to set the ball rolling, and his pass for Jack’s third was timed to perfection.
Perhaps a bit premature to start putting the champagne on ice and booking an open top bus, but if we can maintain the energy and intensity of that second half performance for the remaining matches, there really is no one we should be worried about playing. There are tricky fixtures coming up, not least tomorrow against a Salford side keen to get their own promotion challenge back on track, but we’re only four points outside the play-offs, with at least one game in hand (and two in several cases) on almost everyone ahead of us.
Things seem to be brightening off the pitch too, with Perry and Kuffour both “back on the grass” as they say, and Samson and KVY both expected to be available for tomorrow. Edwards’ shoulder injury apparently just needs a bit of time to recover, and Anderson, Iandolo and Mbick have been elevated from “close” to the “really close” bracket. However, the best news was to see legend Joe Dunne back at the U’s as Lead Coach for the U18s, I reckon him and the Cowley’s will work really well together.
Welcome back Joe!
Anyway, back to the Ammies, who come into the game on a four match losing streak, including at home mid-week to former relegation-botherers Shrewsbury. In the context of current form, that one was probably less of a surprise than some might have thought, with the Shrew’s new manager bounce under Gavin Cowan now at five wins on the trot. Two weeks ago, with Salford comfortably in the play-offs and in sight of the automatic promotion places, Karl Robinson signed a new contract extension. I’m just saying, like, but they haven’t won a point since…
No one will want to be reminded that in our visit to Moor Lane just before Christmas we went from romping away with a 3-1 lead on the hour mark to a gut-wrenching 4-3 defeat in the second minute of stoppage time, much of which was down to former U’s man Luke Garbutt. However, Garbutt received a straight red in the defeat at Cheltenham last weekend (conceding a penalty in the process), so I think he’ll be out for this game. He could be in a lot more bother too, charged by the FA with using foul and/or abusive language towards referee Abigail Byrne after the match. Dean Brennan got a nine match suspension for what sounds like a similar offence, which would be the bulk of the remainder of the season for Salford to lose one of their more influential players.
Needless to say, Luke Garbutt is probably one of the more notable players to have played for both, signed by the Ammies in the same summer they paid money for Colchester United’s Ossama Ashley. Others on the ‘played for both’ list include Tyreik Wright and Dan Chesters, who had loans at both clubs whilst on the Villa and West Ham books respectively. Dan Chesters has since signed full time for Salford, but is unlikely to feature tomorrow. I’m struggling for any more though.
As to our line-up for Saturday, until Iandolo is fit, Macey and the back four pick themselves, banking of course on KVY being as fit as reported. If not, Fin Back to start in his place. Likewise Read and Bishop sitting slightly behind Lisbie on the left and Payne up the middle are pretty much nailed on. Nothing against Romeo’s performance against Barnet, but I think Jaden Williams did enough to warrant a start, assuming of course that Edwards isn’t going to be 100% match fit. I also think Goodwin might get the start up front, with Samson (as a slightly precautionary move because of his knock) on the bench.
Substitutes: Smith Flanagan Back Barbrook Tovide Akachukwu Terry
Karl Robinson likes his teams to play in a very aggressive high-press style, favouring dominating opponents and outscoring them, rather than more defensive set-ups. That might explain why they are third worst for discipline in League 2, and why they tend to either win or lose games but rarely draw. It’ll mean a tough game, but plenty of scope for our pace down the wings to get in behind their defensive set-up.
With the opportunity to leap-frog Salford if we win, I can’t see anything other than the U’s continuing where they left off at 5pm last Saturday and romping to another comfortable win. It’ll be a cagey first half, with Lisbie levelling after the U’s concede early on, but Read and Williams to secure the points with second half goals – 3-1 to the U’s. Tickets are selling well in the East and South stands, so although there’ll only be a couple of hundred at most from the north west, I expect a vociferous 5.5k turnout tomorrow.
Weatherwise there’ll be quite a bit of rain around overnight and throughout a mild and gently breezy day tomorrow – not enough to challenge the game, but certainly enough to make it a damp walk to the turnstiles for the faithful.
I might stand corrected on Garbutt btw - I know it was a straight red card last Saturday, but it looks like it was for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, so it might only be the one-game suspension that was served on Tuesday night?
Dirty Old Town can póg mo thóin on 16:32 - Feb 27 by wessex_exile
I might stand corrected on Garbutt btw - I know it was a straight red card last Saturday, but it looks like it was for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, so it might only be the one-game suspension that was served on Tuesday night?
I'd heard that it was only a one game suspension too although he might yet get a further suspension and fine for his reaction to the decision. The case won't be decided on until next week now though.
Line-up announced, Back starts, KVY not in the squad, and Romeo starts ahead of Williams. The excellent news is that Harry Anderson is back on the bench.
Dirty Old Town can póg mo thóin on 14:06 - Feb 28 by wessex_exile
Line-up announced, Back starts, KVY not in the squad, and Romeo starts ahead of Williams. The excellent news is that Harry Anderson is back on the bench.
However, it is reported on the OMB that Smith is out for the rest of the season, hence no keeper on the bench - worrying!
Bollocks, that's all I can say. This time, not enough energy, not enough purpose. A tight game, but Salford took their chance (which they should never have had) and we didn't. Terrible ref, but that's not why we lost. Still plenty of games to go, but I fear we might have to accept another season in League 2.
Only got ourselves to blame, in not finishing in the second half. Robust performance by the visitors who were proactive in manhandling players throughout. Two incidents by the keepers was the difference. A great double save compared to not cutting out a byline pass, being the difference. Subs could have come on much earlier has Goodwin and Akachukwu ( who cannot play wide) ineffective.
Wasn’t at the game as distracted by a birthday party for my grandson. However, I have since watched the full replay on I-Follow.
1. Original Col U front three again anonymous. 2. After substitutions, same. 3. Like at Barrow, Payne playing too deep. 4. Praise Salford. A clear game plan to man mark our midfield frustrated us.
Year after year, Karl Robinson seems to out think us. Frankly, I’m beginning to wonder if the Cowley Bubble has burst and we should have let Lisbie and Tovide depart in January. We are the Jekyll and Hyde side of League Two. However, on paper, we arguably have one of the easier run-ins. But we are far from being equipped to handle promotion, so mid-table mediocrity might be no bad thing. At least we won’t face relegation….
One interesting footnote from Saturdays game was the ball was only in play for 18 minutes in the first half, mostly due to time taken to administer the long throw .
So is it time for a stop clock method, to be used by the fourth official when the ball is out of play or dead ?
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