| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday 12:46 - Feb 5 with 938 views | durham_exile |
After seemingly endless inactivity football wise since the outstanding win at Brunton Park on 18 January, JD and his charges will entertain the Millers at the WHCS on Saturday.
Now this will be an intriguing match against a team that has just defeated the “mighty” Orient in a closely fought contest. Managed by the larger than life Steve Evans Rotherham has emerged as realistic play off contenders.
U’s fans will remember the epic 2-2 draw at the New York Stadium back in November where a 95th minute equaliser from Elliot Lee (his only senior goal) earned Colchester a deserved point after a resilient second half performance. The in form Marcus Bean scored the U’s opener and is champing at the bit to repeat the performance.
Now the recent run of consistent good form, which has seen the U’s take 13 from the last 18 points, will have galvanised the team and combined with the return from injury of the outstanding Sanchez Watt and a possible return to the team for Messrs Sears and Massey on Saturday, the U’s are in good shape.
A look at the table and the U’s are 14th with 34 points from 26 matches. The recent imposed rest has meant that we now have up to 3 games in hand over our rivals and more importunately recent results have very much gone our way. Without getting too carried away, if we can secure another 40 points from the remaining 20 games, then this should be enough for a top 6 place and the play offs.
The loss of loanee Luke Garbutt is reduced by the return to the team of Ryan Dickson. The injury to Oviedo of Everton has forced the Toffees to bring Garbutt back as cover for Baines. Ironically Baines has endured a couple of poor games and I wouldn’t be surprised if the talented youngster gets an early outing in the first team and deservedly so.
Back to Colchester and JD selection assuming that the WHCS pitch is fit for Saturday will be boosted by an ability to pick a strong team. Col U now only has long term absentees Josh Thompson and Drey Wright on the sidelines.
This is probably just as well because we have 20 league games to play in 84 days and then another two games before the Play Off Final on 25 May!
Fitness will be the key and let us hope that the enforced rest has allowed the players to recharge their batteries for the important run in ahead:
I would imagine JD will consider something along the following lines in a 4,2,3,1 formation:
Walker
Wilson Magnus Eastman Dickson
Eastmond Bean
Vose Sears Watt
Ibehre
Subs:
Cousins, Olufemi, Sesay, Wright (David), Gilbey, Massey, Morrison
Dividing the 20 league games into bite size chunks suggests that the challenge will be tough but not insurmountable.
Our next 6 games are:
Rotherham H
Port Vale A
Swindon A
PNE H
Sheff Utd H
Orient A
Results in these matches will determine whether we have a realistic chance of the top six because 5 of these 6 teams also harbour play off aspirations. The sixth, Sheffield United, although in the relegation zone, have probably been distracted by their excellent FA Cup form. We will learn this evening whether PNE will also reach the 5th Round of the FA Cup where ironically they would play the Blades for a place in the Quarter Finals.
Then:
Coventry H
Bradford H
Crawley A
Shrewsbury H
Bristol City H
Wolves A
Then:
Notts C A
Peterbore A
Tranmere H
Stevenage A
Oldham H
Then:
Crewe A
Brentford H
Walsall A
This weekend against the Millers will allow the U’s to showcase their skills and ability to reach the top six. It will be a difficult game but one which is eminently winnable.
Let us hope for a larger crowd at the WHCS and a successful result to keep this promising run going.
Up the U’s
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 13:18 - Feb 5 with 916 views | Leadbelly |
Mud there will be aplenty but with the Met Office forecasting some rain today followed by 24 hours non stop rain from midday tomorrow until midday Friday, with yet more rain on Saturday, there may not be anyone running around on it. |  |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 19:38 - Feb 5 with 873 views | wessex_exile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 13:18 - Feb 5 by Leadbelly |
Mud there will be aplenty but with the Met Office forecasting some rain today followed by 24 hours non stop rain from midday tomorrow until midday Friday, with yet more rain on Saturday, there may not be anyone running around on it. |
There comes a point where allowing the players some rest and letting the pitch recover becomes losing match fitness and impending fixture congestion - I think we're getting close... |  |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 13:49 - Feb 6 with 826 views | BluenWightExile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 19:38 - Feb 5 by wessex_exile |
There comes a point where allowing the players some rest and letting the pitch recover becomes losing match fitness and impending fixture congestion - I think we're getting close... |
Absolutely right Wessex.
I think they need to play now they are experiencing some form.
This inactivity could be very unhelpful and if the rain that has fallen here since last night is what falls on Cuckoo Farm today and tomorrow there is precisely zero chance of football in southern England - anywhere. |  |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 17:21 - Feb 6 with 803 views | Fruitbat |
Given the monsoon i've just driven through i suspect another weekend off. This is starting too feel like the off-season! |  | | |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 18:03 - Feb 6 with 795 views | bwildered |
Could have borrowed my tarpalling cover if they asked, but the U's have purchased some new waterproof covers. To late for the weekend ? |  |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 19:26 - Feb 6 with 781 views | wessex_exile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 18:03 - Feb 6 by bwildered |
Could have borrowed my tarpalling cover if they asked, but the U's have purchased some new waterproof covers. To late for the weekend ? |
Catch 22 with tarps - anything that lies on the ground is going to prevent any chance of evaporation drying out the surface (yeah right), and I'd reckon the rain will still get under in patches anyway, it always does... | |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 13:58 - Feb 7 with 678 views | Leadbelly |
Pitch inspection tomorrow at 08.30. I've been up north for a couple of days, with just a brief shower of rain last night. What has it been doing in Colchester? | |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 14:08 - Feb 7 with 673 views | durham_exile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 13:58 - Feb 7 by Leadbelly |
Pitch inspection tomorrow at 08.30. I've been up north for a couple of days, with just a brief shower of rain last night. What has it been doing in Colchester? |
I ventured as far south as Preston yesterday, weather in Durham has been sunshine and a very few showers for the past two days!
Despite dire warnings in the Colchester area, the covers are on the WHCS and it is hoped the precious playing surface will be ok. Likely to take a stud though!
Should be a great game and one which will go a long way to determining our play off ambitions.
Shame I can't be there but look forward to the result on saturday evening!
Up the rejuvenated U's
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 14:16 - Feb 7 with 668 views | thrillseeker |
I fear the worst - think it will be a P-P on Full Time results | | | |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 00:03 - Feb 8 with 607 views | RSCOSWORTH |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 14:16 - Feb 7 by thrillseeker |
I fear the worst - think it will be a P-P on Full Time results |
I agree. I can't see it going ahead unless Robbie has bought a massive roll of kitchen towel. |  |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 06:00 - Feb 8 with 599 views | durham_exile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 00:03 - Feb 8 by RSCOSWORTH |
I agree. I can't see it going ahead unless Robbie has bought a massive roll of kitchen towel. |
BBC Weather - Saturday!
Mainly dry with some decent spells of sunshine through this morning. A greater risk of showers for this afternoon, and some of these are likely to be heavy with a risk of thunder. Windy, particularly so near showers.
Tonight
Very windy through the evening and night with further showers likely, again some of these likely to be heavy. Temperatures remaining a few degrees above freezing.
Match could start, but may not finish!
As JD says we need a game.
20 games in 84 days, already a punishing schedule, let us trust to the WHCS ground staff and bring on three more valuable points.
Enjoy the game.
Up the U's
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 09:18 - Feb 8 with 570 views | wessex_exile |
Game off  | |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 09:48 - Feb 8 with 561 views | durham_exile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 09:18 - Feb 8 by wessex_exile |
Game off |
Could we please have some more details - pitch waterlogged just doesn't cut the mustard!
When Brunton park has a waterlogged pitch half the playing surface is under flood water.
The WHCS seems to be subject to drainage problems, so are the goal mouths standing in water, are the wings sodden.
Also:
How much standing water is there?
Is there any grass at all?
How much mud is there?
Is anything being drained away?
Do we have any pumps?
Have the covers helped or hindered?
Can we borrow Essex CCC covers again?
The truth is out there!
Can the season be extended?
Up the rejuvenated but waterlogged U's
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 09:51 - Feb 8 with 557 views | wessex_exile |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 09:48 - Feb 8 by durham_exile |
Could we please have some more details - pitch waterlogged just doesn't cut the mustard!
When Brunton park has a waterlogged pitch half the playing surface is under flood water.
The WHCS seems to be subject to drainage problems, so are the goal mouths standing in water, are the wings sodden.
Also:
How much standing water is there?
Is there any grass at all?
How much mud is there?
Is anything being drained away?
Do we have any pumps?
Have the covers helped or hindered?
Can we borrow Essex CCC covers again?
The truth is out there!
Can the season be extended?
Up the rejuvenated but waterlogged U's
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I think the final comment on the OWS announcement says it all...
"By way of reference, the local area has now had - not including Saturday's rain - 257mm of rain in December, January and the first seven days of February. The normal average rain levels for the area over the last 30 years for the whole of December/January/February is 154mm" | |
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| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 16:06 - Feb 8 with 523 views | Barsidepete |
| Millers to be ground into the mud on saturday on 13:49 - Feb 6 by BluenWightExile |
Absolutely right Wessex.
I think they need to play now they are experiencing some form.
This inactivity could be very unhelpful and if the rain that has fallen here since last night is what falls on Cuckoo Farm today and tomorrow there is precisely zero chance of football in southern England - anywhere. |
We're at the point point where calling it a Clusterf*xture list would be too kind.
Have already been 'gifted' that additional fixture, Tuesday makeup tie v Shrews to my, erm, March hols,.. Enough already please  |  |
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