Danny Cowley said after the Fleetwood match that “if you want to be a good team, you normally have to win about 25 games. That gives you 75 points, and you have to draw some and that normally gets you somewhere in the 80s. Now you are not going to play well in all of those 25 games, so you have to find ways of winning!”
As things stand, we have Played 26, Won 11, Drawn 9 and Lost 6. So, if we want to be that “good team” that Danny has mentioned, we need 14 more wins from 20 more matches.
Is it too early in the season for 6 pointers? If not than this is the proverbial 6 pointer at home versus a Grimsby side that is on a 4-game winning streak in the league (5 in all competitions) with a Boxing Day draw at home to Oldham before that had halted their 8-match streak without a win. Grimsby currently sit on 40 points from 26 games, two points and two positions behind The U’s in the League Two table.
After we last played Grimsby, away on 11 October, Grimsby were sitting pretty in 5th and Col U were down in a lowly 16th. An Mbick (again) brace secured an excellent 2-1 away victory against high-flying, and recent Manchester United beating, Grimsby Town! And who can forget that second goal from Mbick (again)? The Charlton loanee displayed excellent composure, taking a brilliant first touch before lifting the ball over Pym from just over 20 yards for a fine solo effort that silenced the home crowd and put Colchester 2-1 up. A goal that ended up winning Goal of the Month, not only from the Colchester United fans for the Col U monthly edition, but also from the EFL themselves!
Talking of Mbick (again), unfortunately he had to be withdrawn from the action in the 63rd minute to be replaced by Will Goodwin. However, this was 25 minutes after he scored another spectacular goal after he brilliantly controlled Samson Tovide's cross (after bursting past former Col U loanee Powell) before planting a low shot past goalkeeper into the corner of the net. Was his withdrawal a precaution with tonight’s game coming up or something more serious? Another doubt for the match against Grimsby will be the other goalscorer from the weekend. Lisbie having departed the Fleetwood match in the 54th minute with a knee injury! So, off the top of my head, that means MIA for this match could include Iandolo, Perry, Flanaghan, Anderson, Bishop, Lisbie, and Mbick (again). It was good to see both Akande and Baldwin (not that one) back in the matchday squad against Fleetwood. Neither of them made it onto the pitch, however, they will definitely be required at some stage again this season! There are also injury doubts/problems with young Kuffour Jr, Oni and Harvey and Danny also mentioned that Read, Hunt and Gape were playing through the pain barrier to help the team get over the line (or should that be put out a team over the sideline).
So, with all of that in mind, what team do the Cowley brothers go with against Grimsby? Well, the back four and the goalkeeper pick themselves:
GK. Macey
RB. KVY
CB. Tucker ©
CB. Araujo
LB. Terry
In midfield, Arthur Read will be strapped up, drugged up (all legal I hope) and sent out again to put on another masterclass in passing and breaking up the play. This game might come too soon for a Bishop return, so I can see Rob Hunt partnering Read in the centre of midfield again! Just a quick word on Rob Hunt who is receiving high praise from management and fans alike for his tenacious displays in midfield – he has come along way from his displays last season when he was part of 3 man defence at the back and then shifted from the centre to the right and then the left!
CM: Read
CM: Hunt
That leaves the four up front/on the wings. Tovide has looked in top form on the right, with the ability to interchange with Payne in the number 10 role. His power, strength and willingness to work hard to get the ball back offers something difference from both Lisbie and Edwards. Especially with Anderson out of the team, this seems to be the favourite system that the Cowleys like to adopt, giving the freedom for Lisbie (or in the case for this match Edwards) to concentrate on affecting things from the left. Goodwin to come in for Mbick:
RW: Tovide
AM: Payne
LW: Edwards
ST: Goodwin
Subs:
Smith, Baldwin, Gape, Akande, Williams, Gordon, Another (bring ya boots you might get a game!)
As for a score prediction, I don’t know whether that is harder or easier than predicting the Col U starting lineup! Grimsby look good for a goal, but we also look dangerous every time we go forward. With a few changes in the starting line-up and a subs bench that doesn’t have too many appearances in recent games, the classic Cowley (and Gerry) 1-1 seems the obvious bet. However, if we want to be that “good team” Danny talked about, we need to be winning our home matches, so I am going for another battling 2-1 home win for The U’s (Payne and Edwards).
As for the weather, I should be waking up to morning cloud clearing to fine. Northeasterlies developing in the morning. High of 21 and low of 13 – as for Colchester, BBC are saying “Heavy rain and a fresh breeze. High of 8 and low of 2!”
Up the “Good Team” U’s!
Ps. If you get a match programme look out for the birthday message from me for my nephew’s 21st birthday! It should also be on the big screen and announced over the Tannoy! Happy 21st birthday Dylan! |  |
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