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Once again it's two consecutive 1-0 defeats, the third time it's happened to the U's in 2026 tells it’s own story really. We shouldn’t have lost the game at Harrogate, have we ever conceded a later winner? But were well beaten by Notts County last Saturday where we didn’t manage a single shot on target and if hadn’t been for Macey making some inspired saves the margin of defeat would’ve been greater. I know it’s the end of a long season, and there were some very tired players out there in blue and white, plus Notts County had something to play for but it was still probably the most disappointing performance of the season I’ve seen, and in front of our highest home attendance too, obviously boosted by decent travelling support from Nottingham.
As far as I know there has been no word on any of our current injured players although we do know that poor Tom Flanagan did his achilles in training last week. Is that career over for him? In his pre-match interview Danny did imply that we may see some of our younger players figure this weekend but not sure who they’ll replace. With nothing left to play for is there really any point in playing the loanees? Although I thought Barbook was our best outfield player last Saturday and the team completely lost it’s shape and drive when he was replaced. With Ipswich on the verge of promotion to the Premier League is he a player we might see back here next season? Probably depends what happens with Read and Bishop and whether Perry will be ready to start the season. We do seem to have a number of central midfielders at our disposal but at times, both this season and last season, we’ve been left short in that area of the pitch. I’ve really got no idea but maybe the U’s are going to line up as follows:
I think Cowley will start both Tovide and Lisbie in what is likely to be their final appearance for the club. Part of me thinks that Danny, as a football romantic, might replace one Lisbie with another late on in the game.
When we played Cheltenham earlier on in the season our old friend Steve Cotterill had just come in and steadied the ship but early goals in each half, one being a magnificent finish from Mbick, gave the U’s a very comfortable 2-0 victory. I thought Cheltenham worked hard on the day and played neat and tidy football but had no cutting edge whatsoever. They’ve mainly relied on Isaac Hutchinson, who has 16 league goals from midfield this season, as their attacking threat. Incidentally his brother Jake was at the U’s for a time and when we released him Isaac scored the winner against us the very next day. Cheltenham have been safe from relegation for some time now and, like us, have followed three consecutive wins with two defeats. One at home against Tranmere and a 4-0 thrashing at in-form Bristol Rovers last weekend. Are they already thinking about their summer holidays? Are our players doing the same? Could be 0-0 or 4-4 tomorrow depending on which players decide to show up.
The Cheltenham squad includes Ben Stevenson, a classy midfielder who impressed during a loan spell in 2018 but wasn’t quite so impressive during a permanent spell between 2019 and 2021. I always thought he was a player who would look even better at a higher level but we’ re still the club who he has made most appearances for. Harry Pell is another who has appeared for both, I believe we actually paid money for him when he signed for Cheltenham back in 2018, and his time in coincided with a pretty successful spell under John McGreal and he also had the honour of relegating Southend. No one else who has played for both comes to mind but I’m sure there must be some more.
The weather at Whaddon Road tomorrow is set to be sunny and warm at 18 degrees with light winds from the south and the chance of an odd shower. We lead the head to head between the two sides by nine wins to eight and with both teams have nothing to play for I'm going to go for a goalfest and the U's to win 5-4 with goals from Payne, Read, Tovide, Anderson and the winner from Lisbie in his final appearance for the U’s, for now anyway.
Excellent stuff RS, and fitting that you see out this season of previews in memory of Durham, given it was your brainchild in the first place - well done chap, and heartfelt thanks from all of us for organising it! I will go on record here and now, that faculties, life and work permitting, I plan to continue offering match previews next season, and it would be fantastic if others were happy to do so likewise. It would be even more fantastic, RS, if you could continue coordinating this?
I would also be happy with your line-up, but there may be two other factors in play. Protecting players we know are going to be the subject of incoming bids in summer, and of course whether or not a take-over is going to happen. I've made my opinion pretty clear on the latter in recent days, but for the avoidance of doubt, I sincerely hope it doesn't involve the odious John Terry in any way shape or form. I don't want our club associated with him or his beliefs, nor it would seem, does any other football club he's approached over the last few years.
As for they played for both, the most obvious addition I can think of is Jamie Cureton. Being a West Country boy, it's probably no surprise that he eventually rocked up at Whaddon Road in 2013-14, towards the end of his long and distinguished career in the professional leagues - and still scored 11 goals in 36 appearances, 12 of those coming on as a sub. It is a fitting testament to his fitness that at 50 he's now on club 14 after Cheltenham, still playing, and still finding the net. We might not like the manner of his departure from the U's, but no one could question his passion for the game. Other names (via google) include Michail Antonio, Luke Garbutt, Brian Wilson and Ben Tozer.
Me and the boy are heading over to 'Nam tomorrow, in what looks like it'll be a pretty decent turnout of the Faithful for the final chapter of this season. U's to win 3-1, with award-winner Tucker starting us of in front of 600+ from one of those most rare of events, a U's corner.
Great news for anyone not able to make the game tomorrow ALL of the final League 2 games are being shown on Sky+ Not really sure why as it's a 3pm ko when th Premier League are playing??? Guess some games have something riding on them, so all are shown too be fair to everyone Great for me as I thought I had seen my last game of the season 😳
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Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 07:12 - May 2 with 3162 views
Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 22:40 - May 1 by Blue4U2
Great news for anyone not able to make the game tomorrow ALL of the final League 2 games are being shown on Sky+ Not really sure why as it's a 3pm ko when th Premier League are playing??? Guess some games have something riding on them, so all are shown too be fair to everyone Great for me as I thought I had seen my last game of the season 😳
Non-league has finished and the Championship games are 12:30pm, so the reduced number of 3pm games today means there's no blackout.
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Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 08:17 - May 2 with 3145 views
Samsung goal will have added £millions to his sell on price. The striker has now scored FOUR goals this season. Remarkable achievement for a "striker". Sell him...please.
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Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 15:20 - May 2 with 3016 views
Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 15:17 - May 2 by gerry_us
Samsung goal will have added £millions to his sell on price. The striker has now scored FOUR goals this season. Remarkable achievement for a "striker". Sell him...please.
Hopefully to Southend so he can form a strike partnership with Tom Hopper!!!!
P.S. I've heard a rumour that all bar one of the National League sides have again sent a letter to the EFL bleating about having more than two teams being promoted each year. Southend have apparently sent a separate letter demanding that the team with the highest average attendance be promoted.
[Post edited 2 May 15:24]
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Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 15:31 - May 2 with 2996 views
Sombreros At The Ready As U's Ride All Over Cheltenham on 15:20 - May 2 by TAFKAT
Hopefully to Southend so he can form a strike partnership with Tom Hopper!!!!
P.S. I've heard a rumour that all bar one of the National League sides have again sent a letter to the EFL bleating about having more than two teams being promoted each year. Southend have apparently sent a separate letter demanding that the team with the highest average attendance be promoted.
[Post edited 2 May 15:24]
Someone check Noah's blood pressure, Harrogate are currently up to 22nd place.
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