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After last week’s welcome return to winning ways in Wales for our patched up U’s, it’s time for our first Friday night football of the season. I’ve always enjoyed a Friday night game, reminds me of nights at Layer Road, and I wish we had a few more of them. We now have six home games left, including this one, and only two are on a Saturday at three o’clock. We have two Friday night fixtures, a Tuesday evening and an afternoon game on Good Friday.
Danny made a surprising number of changes before the Newport game so it’s not easy to predict what team he’s going to select for this evening but I’m guessing the U’s will line up as follows:
Macey
Vincent Young Tucker Flanagan Terry
Bishop Barbrook
Lisbie Anderson
Payne
Tovide
Subs
Akachukwu, Goodwin, Gordon, Hunt, Read, Williams, Back
I’m assuming we’ve still not got another goalkeeper to take a place on the bench so have put Back in there as nothing has been said about Edwards or Iandolo being ready to be in the squad.
Crawley currently occupy 21st spot in the table and only have six wins in the league this season with their last win coming against Harrogate at the end of January. They have had a tough run of fixtures recently though and managed to pick up creditable draws against MK, Chesterfield and Swindon. I do think they’re one of those teams that are better than their league position suggests, although I’ve been thinking that all season and they’re running out of time to prove I’m right in my thinking. They could even find themselves in the relegation zone come five o’clock tomorrow.
On my last Crawley preview I only came up with Luke Gambin as a someone who had figured for both sides, but Daniel kindly added the following players:
Tom Dallison – Signed for an undisclosed fee from Crawley in January 2022. Tom Eastman – Had a short spell on loan at Crawley in 2011. Ryan Dickson – Signed for Crawley in 2014 after rejecting a new contract with us. Jamie Cade – Signed for Crawley after being released by us in 2005. Tarryn Allarakhia – Signed for Crawley after being released from our U21s in 2018.
The weather at the Jobserve this evening is set to be dry and chilly with a west-south-west wind making if feel even colder than the predicted five degrees. Wrap up warm U’s fans, it’s going to feel pretty cold inside the stadium tonight! Quite frankly we have a terrible record against Crawley, but I feel (hope) we’ll have too much for them this evening so I’m going for a tight 2-1 victory with goals from Lisbie and Payne.
After a number of outrageous results, there was four members who got the 1-1's spot-on, and they are in the driving seat of their groups after the 1st leg fixtures.
THE GROUPS (8 out of 16 played) (Tie-break: Most 3 pointers only)
Having the Leverkusen 1-1 spot-on gives the advantage to Sector4
Getting the Newcastle 1-1 spot-on leaves thrillseeker in a good postion.
Having the Newcastle 1-1 gives gerry_us the advantage in this group.
Getting the Leverkusen 1-1 spot-on gives blueeagle a handy advantage.
Round Of 16 2nd leg fixtures No more than four predictions the same as fellow group members, and all fixtures to be predicted at the same time please.
All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. If any members are level on points after the 16 fixtures, the tie-break rule will apply. As always in this competition, there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. If they are still level, then a further tie-break will apply by predicting the attendance at the Colchester v Walsall fixture on Saturday 28th March.
17/03/2026 SPORTING CP v BODO/GLIMPT (17.45) 17/03/2026 ARSENAL v BAYER LEVERKUSEN (20.00) 17/03/2026 CHELSEA v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (20.00) 17/03/2026 MANCHESTER CITY v REAL MADRID (20.00) 18/03/2026 BARCELONA v NEWCASTLE (17.45) 18/03/2026 BAYERN MUNICH v ATALANTA (20.00) 18/03/2026 LIVERPOOL v GALATASARY (20.00) 18/03/2026 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v ATHLETICO MADRID (20.00)
Probably no surprise to be honest, but after defeat at Salford last night, Walsall have sacked Mat Sadler. There were some who suggested he should have gone after last season's post-Xmas capitulation, but clearly the Chairman couldn't sit back and watch it happen two seasons running without doing something.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 Charlie Kelman's winner was enough to give Charlton a victory and an important three points in their bid to move further clear of the relegation zone in the Championship. Well done to Blue4U2 for being the only one to get this spot-on, and only durham_exile and burnsieespana had the outcome.
DERBY COUNTY 2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1 Wednesday became just the fifth club in English Football League history to go 30 games without a win after they lost to Derby. Everyone predicted a win for Derby with 3 having it spot-on.
BOLTON WANDERERS 3 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 2 Bolton completed an astonishing comeback win over League One play-off rivals Wycombe thanks to Ruben Rodrigues (88), Mason Burstow (90+1 and Corey Blackett-Taylor (90+5). Well done again to Blue4U2 for being the only one to get this spot-on, and a further 21 had the outcome, with a massive 14 going for a 2-1 in what was the weeks most predicted score.
LUTON TOWN 2 READING 3 Striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scored his first senior hat-trick as Reading stunned Luton, as they came from behind to beat them with two late goals. Nobody had this spot-on, but 6 did get the outcome.
BRISTOL ROVERS 2 CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 Tommy Leigh scored two late goals, in the 87th and 92nd minutes, as Rovers came from behind to beat Crewe. A magnificent 7 got this spot-on, and nobody had the outcome.
WALSALL 1 NOTTS COUNTY 2 Jodi Jones headed home a 94th minute winner as promotion-hunting County came from behind to beat Walsall. A magnificent 7 had this spot-on, and another 4 got the outcome.
Hold the back page. Late goals in four of this weeks matches put a completely different complexion on results, as Bolton, Reading, Bristol Rovers and Notts County all came from behind to claim dramatic victories. The unexpected 2-1 wins for Rovers and County was good news for a number of members, especially for durham_exile and burnsieespana going 2-1 all games, to give them an excellent 8 points each. They were the only ones to have two 3 pointers, but this weeks top performer Blue4U2 was the only one to get three, the wins for Charlton, Bolton and Notts County and the Derby outcome, to give him a brilliant 10 points. Best of those to get one 3 pointer were concordman, Jorash63 and BFG, who each had the Notts County 2-1, and thrillseeker, mfb_cufc and wessex_exile, who each got the Bristol Rovers 2-1. They each also had three outcomes, to give them all a decent 6 points.
U'sual Champions League A reminder for those who have yet to post. This competition starts next Tuesday 10th March, with the deadline 17.45.
In the Premier The decent week for concordman puts him a step nearer to a third title, as he also increases his lead by a point. The decent week for Jorash63 moves him up a place, and into the DEMS spot once again. The only other change has blueeagle moving up a place, as he was another to have the Rovers 2-1 spot-on. As for those fighting to avoid the drop, Daniel was the only one in the bottom four to get a 3 pointer, the County 2-1, and that enabled him to move to within 3 points of safety.
In Division One The Derby 2-1 spot-on, and the Bolton outcome for noah4x4 this week, to keep him ticking over. His lead was cut by 3 points, as the excellent week for durham_exile moved him back into the other automatic spot once again. Despite having the Rovers 2-1 spot-on, Tropical_Us drops to third. Three outcomes was enough for basher2010 to remain fourth. The decent week for BFG keeps him fifth. The top scoring performance from Blue4U2 moved him up three places, and into the final play-off place. The decent week for wessex_exile and three outcomes for gerry_us keeps them well in touch for the play-offs just 3 points further back. Having the County 2-1 spot-on, still gives oxfcolu hope of making the top six.
THE TABLES (232 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 33 Fixtures
BURNLEY v AFC BOURNEMOUTH SUNDERLAND v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION STOKE CITY v WATFORD WEST BROMWICH ALBION v HULL CITY NORTHAMPTON TOWN v BURTON ALBIONi WIGAN ATHLETIC v BRADFORD CITY
A little ahead, but today's theme is, I think appropriately, songs about being exiled.
I'm going to kick things off with one which could also classify as a cover, Benjamin Zephaniah's (RIP) wonderful reinterpretation of the folk classic Tam Lyn.
…………and so it continues. The rollercoaster ride, consistently inconsistent, our Jekyll and Hyde season. How do we play so well against high flying Cambridge and yet so bad against Barrow and Chesterfield?
It was only a few months since we gave Chesterfield a 6-2 pasting at the JCS, recently they had managed only a point from their last two games and with our two goalscorers back from injury, there was every reason to be positive, the squad should have been up for this one, but no, it was another shocker. Once again we were on the ropes for much of the game and on 70 mins our season hit the canvas. With 36 points still to play for, the cruellest of all emotions, hope, will continue to torment us, but we are getting close to requiring a miracle.
We can make all kinds of excuses, but after 34 games, the table doesn’t lie. If we are to be honest, our hopes of the play-offs were always laced with delusion, we are not good enough and that is painful, because we should be.
DC and his backroom team worked wonders to sign some good players to replace the ones we lost (and all on a reduced budget). We managed to keep hold of assets in the transfer window, and although there are positives, so many players have just not performed this season, others that have been given a chance have not taken it. Once again, the Cat 2 Academy (that should be providing at least 4 or 5 first team players) cannot offer any help. It is a shame and you have to wonder how much longer DC/NC can stay positive, especially as next season they will most likely need to rebuild the squad again. I think their cult status will stay strong, but I fear that someone will offer them a job sooner or later. There are mangers with much worse records that are offered employment every month.
Whilst it would take Durhamesque positivity to think we can still make the play-offs, there are many reasons to stay happy. Many teams in our position, where the owner wants out, fall out of the league into administration or worse, but here we are treading water, mid-table, players wages are still being paid and we are even turning down offers for our players. Despite the bleak years that seem to go on for ever, there is a very long list of clubs that have suffered much worse than us and we can at least look forward to another season of league football.
If we think back to Etherington’s last games, non-league looked a foregone conclusion as we waited for the next hopeless managerial appointment. The main man receiving ‘see you next Tuesday’ chants and gates falling towards 2000. It was on the verge of turning very ugly. We can only image what would have happened if Mr. C hadn’t have pulled off the masterstroke of signing DC/NC. It certainly bought him time to look for a new owner while simultaneously re-energising the club.
Changing subject, how in this age, can we play two games with only one goalkeeper in the squad? Do we have a first rate stand-in keeper in the squad? Our own Phil Jagielka? There’s no doubt that Samson has mastered diving, but in all seriousness, how can a League club find itself in this position? It needs to be addressed before Saturday.
So, after two disappointing games, we need an easy game against a relegation certainty and right on queue we have Newport County, but oh no, just our luck Newport have found some form and are no longer the lost cause they were a few weeks ago. Their last four games include decent wins against Tranmere and Salford and a respectable draw away to Fleetwood.
Whilst the next game is always the ‘must win’, this one does seem like it will shape the rest of our season. It is going to be difficult, but what will our reaction be? Do we want this or have we already thrown in the towel, has DC lost it? If we don’t get something from this one, then surely it’s over, Michael Caine, Little Voice style. (Google that at your peril).
Our record against Newport is good, since our first meeting in 1950, we have played them 65 times with 29 wins, 17 draws and 19 defeats, but we are haunted by the 5-0 thumping back in October 2023 when post-match, captain fantastic Connor Hall thought it would be a good idea to get trappy with the faithful. Read the room Connor FFS, our lads and lasses had just spent a fortune and literally travelled to another country to watch you play like clueless amateurs, roll over and let County tickle your tummies!!!! The wheels may have come off, but at least we have some pride under DC and don’t capitulate.
Like the U’s Newport have a vocal support, so hopefully there will be a good atmosphere come 3pm. https://www.google.com/search?
I’m not sure if there were any injuries from Tuesday, but I’m going with what must be our best team (apart from Hunt in for the injured Iandolo):
Macey
KVY Tucker Araujo Hunt
Read Bishop Lisbie Payne Anderson Mbick
Subs: Emergency Goalkeeper, Barbrook, Flanagan, Akachukwu, Williams, Tovide, Gordon
There’s more chance of predicting the results of a lucky dip than knowing how we will perform on Saturday, but in the spirit of our old friend, I’m going for a 1-3 win, with 2 goals for Mbick and one for Lisbie.
The weather for Saturday is forecast to be light wind, light cloud and 12 degrees. Rodney Parade is quite some journey from Colchester and will test the loyalty of the faithful, who last saw the U’s win away since the Gas in mid-January. Safe journey to all who travel and here’s hoping that you witness another win in the west.
Qualifiers The current holder Sector4 qualifies automatically. The other 11 are the top points scorers over the two divisions after Week 22. They are:- noah4x4, concordman, Jorash63, durham_exile RIP, thrillseeker, ghughes11, Tropical_Us, gerry_us, blueeagle, basher2010 and mfb_cufc.
Round of 16 This will be four groups, with three members in each, and after predicting all 16 fixtures, the top two qualify for the Quarter-finals. Groups have traditionally been decided by using a random number generator, and I have gone along with that, by repeating the one used last year. The rankings in brackets after holder Sector4 is based on points tally at the time of qualification.
All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. If any members are level on points after the 16 fixtures, the tie-break rule will apply. There will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. If they are still level, then a further tie-break will apply by predicting the attendance at the Colchester v Walsall game on Saturday 28th March.
Quarter-finals To be played on 7/8 & 14/15 April. The Group qualifiers will then form two more Groups of 4, and predict all of the Quarter-final matches. Groups will be comprised as follows: Group A Winner A, Runner-Up B, Winner C, Runner-up D. Group B Runner-up A Winner B, Runner-up C, Winner D. Top two from each group qualify for the Semi-finals. As in the Ro16 there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. A further tie-break, if required, to be decided.
Semi-finals To be played on 28/29 April & 5/6 May. These will be the Winner A v Runner-up B, and Winner B v Runner-up A. Predicting the Semi-final matches, plus one goalscorer from each of those games.
Final To be played on Saturday 30 May. The finalist will predict the Champions League Final, including predicting different aspects of the game, not just the score.
Tie-break rules for the Semi-final and Final will be announced in due course.
Round of 16 1st leg Fixtures No more than four predictions the same as fellow group members, and all fixtures to be predicted at the same time please.
10/03/2026 GALATASARY v LIVERPOOL (17.45) 10/03/2026 ATALANTA v BAYERN MUNICH (20.00) 10/03/2026 ATHLETICO MADRID v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (20.00) 10/03/2026 NEWCASTLE UNITED v BARCELONA (20.00) 11/03/2026 BAYER LEVERKUSEN v ARSENAL (17.45) 11/03/2026 BODO/GLIMPT v SPORTING CP (20.00) 11/03/2026 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v CHELSEA (20.00) 11/03/2026 REAL MADRID v MANCHESTER CITY (20.00)
Good luck everybody.
It is a quick turn around with the 2nd legs the following week. I hope to have details of those fixtures on Thursday 12th March.
..destroyed, dismantled, razed, felled, pulverised, decimated, obliterated. Durham has probably used most, if not all of those in his past Spirerites v U's reviews. All are associated with Durham's fascination with the twisted spire of St Mary and All Saints Church in Chesterfield. One season, when visiting me for the match he insisted we actually visited the church prior to the game as it was within walking distance to Spirites old ground of Saltergate, a very close replica of Layer Road; old, decrepit, puddles in the gents loo, etc...but always had a great atmosphere. My interest in the Spirites started in 1997 when I lived for several years in Chesterfield and actually watched them winning the FA Cup quarter final v Notts Forest at Saltergate, then Chessie v Middlesborough at Old Trafford 3-3 in the FA cup semi-final after extra time and then the replay at Hillsbrough when they lost 0-3. A great run for a team in the, then Div.3 Hence my long term interest with Spirerites results ever since. In 2001 Spirerites were promoted to Div.2 from Div.3 and the opening match of season, at which great celebrations were to be had, was against, guess who...the U's. I was actually invited by my next door neighbour to join him in the Directors box for the game. Result, 6-3 to the U's. Great score but not sure if I had let it be known previously that I was lifelong U's supporter before the match I think it became obvious during the match however. Never invited again...strange that! Popular score through the years though. So what about Tuesday then. Spirerites, like us, have departed their "homely" stadium, and consequently have lost the great atmosphere of the past and have moved to SMH modern new stadium with normal crowds of 8-10k. They will have great support, as no doubt we will have also. My ideal team would be..(best ever U's lineup) Percy Ames Fisher, Fowler, Marshall, Miller, Rumney, R.Hunt, Wright, McCleod, B.Hunt, King.
Who the hell are they I hear most of the boarders asking? I know very little about the current squad but ask me anything about the 60's players as above. For Tuesday and the current squad, who is available, injured, uninjured? Therefore can only guesss at the following line-up How about Macey Tucker Bishop Arujeo Hunt Read Payne Williams Goodwin Lisbie Tovide Subs. Anyone not injured but including Hunt, Terry and definitely Anderson Where is Mbick? Does anyone know because we are sure missing his influence, pace and goalscoring ability up front.
Chessie v U's matches have featured lots of goals historically and obviously our big home win will probably still be in their minds. So don't be surprised if they come at us early to make a point. However, our recent away form; thinking of Grimsby, Walsall and Notts County all of which I attended would be nice. However given our result and that of Chessie on Saturday I am going for a 0-0 draw which also let's me out of forecasting a goalscorer. Great journey and a great game for all travelling. If I am able to make it to the match, this season is my daughter's treat to me, so I will be sat with her in the "home" end. If you happen to see somebody being escorted out from the home end during the match then it just maybe........me! Well, that's it and my great respects paid to my bestest mate Durham Exile. Not anywhere near up to the brilliance of a Durham review but best I could do guys.
BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 LEEDS UNITED 1 AET Leeds won 4-2 on penalties
GRIMSBY TOWN 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1
OXFORD UNITED 0 SUNDERLAND 1
STOKE CITY 1 FULHAM 2
ARSENAL 4 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
Final scores
Blue4U2 8 Sector4 8
concordman 10 noah4x4 8
Semi-final replay results
ASTON VILLA 1 LEEDS UNITED 1
CHELSEA 1 BURNLEY 1
MILLWALL 1 PORTSMOUTH 3
WATFORD 2 DERBY COUNTY 0
WREXHAM 5 IPSWICH TOWN 3
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1 LEYTON ORIENT 2
PETERBOROUGH UNITED 3 EXETER CITY 3
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0 SHREWSBURY TOWN 2
COLCHESTER UNITED 4 BARNET 1
GILLINGHAM 0 OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3
Final scores
Blue4U2 4 Sector4 1
Premier v Division One in the Final, concordman v Blue4U2
As in previous rounds there will be a replay for a drawn game, but this time there will be further replays until there is a winner, so the tie-breaker rules will never apply.
The Final Fixtures 10 matches made up of seven FA Cup 5th Round ties, over four days, and three games from the League. There are no replays for the FA Cup matches so they will be settled on the 90 minute result. If any fixtures are postponed the Final will be decided on the games remaining. No more than four predictions the same as your opponent please.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v LIVERPOOL (Fri 20.00) MANSFIELD TOWN v ARSENAL (Sat 12.15) WREXHAM v CHELSEA (Sat 17.45) NEWCASTLE UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY (Sat 20.00) FULHAM v SOUTHAMPTON (Sun 12.00) LEEDS UNITED v NORWICH CITY (Sun 16.30) WEST HAM UNITED v BRENTFORD (Mon 19.30)
Three from the League CARDIFF CITY v LINCOLN CITY (Sat 12.30) IPSWICH TOWN v LEICESTER CITY (Sat 15.00) NEWPORT COUNTY v COLCHESTER UNITED (Sat 15.00)
Good luck to both of you
There will be an update throughout the Final
If a replay is required it will be 10 games from the Saturday 14th March fixtures. Any further replays will be on each of the following Saturday's fixtures until there is a winner.
BURNLEY 3 BRENTFORD 4 Relegation-threatened Burnley mounted a stirring comeback to overturn a 3-0 deficit, but were denied a remarkable point as Mikkel Damsgaard struck a dramatic 93rd minute winner to give Brentford victory. Nobody got this spot-on, but 16 did have the outcome.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 EVERTON 3 Substitute Thierno Barry scored a dramatic late winner as Everton stunned Newcastle to maintain their push for a European place. No points for anyone in this game, as 20 predicted a win for Newcastle, with 12 going for a 2-1 in what was the weeks most predicted score.
COVENTRY CITY 2 STOKE CITY 1 Coventry moved eight points clear at the top of the Championship as Jack Rudoni got a dramatic 94th minute winner. Everyone predicted a win for Coventry, with a magnificent 7 getting it spot-on.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 First-half goals from Callum O'Hare and Tyrese Campbell give United a comfortable victory. Well done to basher2010 for being the only one to have this spot-on, and a further 8 got the outcome.
DONCASTER ROVERS 0 CARDIFF CITY 4 Cardiff returned to winning ways as they claimed an emphatic victory, after their 12-game unbeaten league run was ended at Plymouth last time out. Another game with no 3 pointer, though 18 did have the outcome.
LINCOLN CITY 4 BLACKPOOL 0 Conor McGrandles and Dom Jeffries both scored their first goals of the season as Lincoln took their unbeaten league run to 17 games. A final game this week with no 3 pointer, but 22 did get the outcome.
ROTHERHAM UNITED 1 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0 A 7th minute goal from Joe Rafferty gave Rotherham's survival hopes a boost with this win, Only basher2010 and Madeira163 got this spot-on, and another 4 had the outcome.
STEVENAGE 2 STOCKPORT COUNTY 1 Matt Phillips' first goal for Stevenage earned his side a win, as they came from behind to beat Stockport. A magnificent 7 had this spot-on, and a further 6 got the outcome.
CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1 MILTON KEYNES DONS 1 A 96th minute penalty from ex-U's loanee Aaron Collins earns MK Dons a point. A sublime 5 got this spot-on, and one more had the outcome.
FLEETWOOD TOWN 0 NEWPORT COUNTY 0 League Two's bottom side Newport fail to have a shot on target as they frustrated in-form Fleetwood with a stout rearguard performance as they held out for a point. Well done to Madeira163 for being the only one to have this spot-on, and another 3 got the outcome. 18 predicted a win for Fleetwood.
After last weeks poor offering, that had 15 members firing blanks, it was good to have everyone getting points again this week. Although it wasn't all plain sailing, as four games failed to have a 3 pointer, but the other six produced 23 in total, and with 95 outcomes overall, it enabled most people to have a reasonable week. Two members did better than reasonable by getting three 3 pointers each. They were RSCOSWORTH, who had the 2-1 wins for Coventry and Stevenage, and the Cambridge 1-1, and four outcomes, to make him the weeks top scorer with a brilliant 13 points. Also Madeira163, who got the wins for Rotherham and Stevenage, and the Flleetwood bore draw, and three outcomes to give him a brilliant 12 points. Four members had two 3 pointers, with the best coming from basher2010, who had the wins for Sheff Utd and Rotherham, and five outcomes, to give him a superb 11 points. Also Tropical_Us, who got the Stevenage 2-1 and the Cambridge 1-1, and three outcomes to give him an excellent 9 points, and durham_exile and burnsieespana, who each had the 2-1 wins for Coventry and Stevenage, and two outcomes, to give them both a decent 8 points. Best of those to get one 3 pointer were Daniel and BFG, who each had the Cambridge 1-1, and five outcomes, to give them both a decent 8 points.
Happy Cup Details for the Final of this competition will be on a separate thread sometime tomorrow (Sunday).
U'sual Champions League With the Round of 16 fixtures finally revealed, the details for this seasons competition will be out on Monday.
In the Premier With six of the top seven scoring 6 points, it is another week ticked off for concordman, in his quest to win the title for the third time, as he maintains a 15 point lead. The top scoring performance from RSCOSWORTH enabled him to take advantage of the 6 pointers, by moving up a couple places, to a season high fourth, and now with every chance of making the DEMS. At the bottom those relegation places are now changing on a weekly basis, and this week it is mfb_cufc who escapes, after a first 3 pointer in six weeks, the Coventry 2-1, moved him up a couple of places, and he replaced once again by unitedwhites. The decent week for Daniel, helped him reduce the deficit to safety by 3 points.
In Division One With only 54 games left to the season, a third Division One title for noah4x4 continues to look more inevitable by the week. Another decent week enabled him to have a lead of 30 points. The race to see who is likely to join him in the Premier is hotting up, as the excellent week for Tropical_Us moved up a place, and back into the automatic spot once again. A decent week for durham_exile leaves him just a point behind in third, and the superb week for basher2010 is only a further point back in fourth. The decent week for BFG keeps in contention for the auto's in fifth. To complete a decent week for the top six, gerry_us moves up a place into the final play-off spot, after he got the Stevenage 2-1 spot-on. Just outcomes for wessex_exile, oxfcolu and Blue4U2, but they remain well in contention for the play-offs. If Madeira163 can produce more brilliant weeks like this one, he could still have a say in the top six as well.
THE TABLES (226 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 32 Fixtures
CHARLTON ATHLETIC v BIRMINGHAM CITY DERBY COUNTY v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY BOLTON WANDERERS v WYCOMBE WANDERERS LUTON TOWN v READING BRISTOL ROVERS v CREWE ALEXANDRA WALSALL v NOTTS COUNTY
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.
BRENTFORD 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 Brighton halted a six-game winless run with an impressive victory, to ease the pressure on manager Fabian Hurzeler. No points for anyone from this game, as 23 predicted a win for Brentford, with a massive 15 going for a 2-1 in what was the weeks most predicted score.
NORWICH CITY 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 Birmingham withstood a rousing second-half fightback by Norwich to record a statement win and boost their Championship play-off hopes. Only concordman and Madeira163 had this spot-on, and nobody got the outcome.
SOUTHAMPTON 1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1 Sonny Carey scored a second-half equaliser to earn Charlton a point as visiting boss Nathan Jones returned to face his former side. Well done to bwildered for being the only one to get this spot-on, and nobody had the outcome. 22 predicted a win for Southampton.
BOLTON WANDERERS 2 BLACKPOOL 2 Substitute Mason Burstow scored an 85th-minute equaliser to earn Bolton a draw and deny former boss Ian Evatt victory. Well done to Blue4U2 for being the only one to have this spot-on, and only oxfcolu got the outcome. 21 predicted a win for Bolton.
PORT VALE 1 READING 1 Martin Sherif scored a dramatic equaliser with the last kick of the game in the 96th minute, as basement boys Port Vale rescued a point. 3 got this spot-on, and nobody had the outcome.
CHELTENHAM TOWN 3 SALFORD CITY 2 George Miller scored a 96th minute winner as Cheltenham came from 2-1 down with six minutes left to beat 10-man Salford. Nobody had this spot-on, but 3 did get the outcome. 18 predicted a win for Salford.
We have had a number of poor weeks this season, but this one beats the lot, and was by a long way the worst one of the season so far. Considering how hard the games were to predict, we did have a total of 7 spot-ons, but it was a paltry 4 outcomes in total, that made the week so bad. I can never remember so few outcomes in a week before. Also another record could be the 15 members firing blanks this week. One member did well to get two 3 pointers, that was Madeira163, who had the Port Vale 1-1 to go with the Birmingham 2-1, to make him the weeks top scorer, with a decent 6 points. Best of those to get one 3 pointer was unitedwhites, who got the Port Vale 1-1, and the Cheltenham outcome, to give him a useful 4 points in such a low scoring week. A look at how the season is going. The 216 games have finished with 104 (48.15%) homes, 66 (30.55%) aways, and 46 (21.30%) draws. Since I last looked at these figures in Week 24, the homes have lost 4%, but still look finishing above the 40% of previous seasons, The aways have gained 1%, and the draws 3%, but both remain below their averages of previous seasons. After a number of 1-1's recently, that result has taken over as the top one for the season with 22. One ahead of the 2-1, and two ahead of the 1-0. The 1-2 is best for an away with 17.
In the Premier Even though he only had the Birmingham 2-1 spot-on, this was an excellent week for concordman, as he increased his lead by those 3 points, as the seven members directly behind him all fired blanks. The only change in this division came at the bottom, with unitedwhites moving up a couple of places, to take him out of the relegation zone, where is replaced by mfb_cufc. Having the Southampton 1-1 spot-on moved bwildered closer to those above him.
In Division One On such a low scoring week the positions remained the same as Week 29. The highlights being. By having the Port Vale 1-1 spot-on Tropical_Us is only kept out of the automatic spots on the first to post rule. Getting the Bolton outcome moved oxfcolu to within a point of the play-offs, and Blue4U2 moved to within 2 points of the play-offs, after having that good Bolton 2-2 spot-on.
THE TABLES (216 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 31 Fixtures 10 games picked by this weeks guest gerry_us. Don't forget it is an early start with the deadline 12.30
BURNLEY v BRENTFORD NEWCASTLE UNITED v EVERTON COVENTRY CITY v STOKE CITY QUEENS PARK RANGERS v SHEFFIELD UNITED DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY LINCOLN CITY v BLACKPOOL ROTHERHAM UNITED v PLYMOUTH ARGYLE STEVENAGE v STOCKPORT COUNTY CAMBRIDGE UNITED v MILTON KEYNES DONS (12.30) FLEETWOOD TOWN v NEWPORT COUNTY
After the shambolic performance at Barrow in front of a credible 150+ of the long-suffering U’s faithful, who deserved so much more for their efforts getting to and from our longest away trip of the season, Cambridge on Tuesday night was a much needed shot in the arm. Leaving aside the Cambridge United ticketing fiasco, we were everything we weren’t at Barrow and then some, and roared on magnificently by our sell-out allocation of just over 1,000 from the pre-match warm-ups through to the post-match celebrations.
Okay, it was only a point, and we probably deserved more, but against a Cambridge side with the best home form in the league, it was a very good point…and from the most unlikeliest of sources too, Jack Payne’s head.
The added bonus is we seem, fingers crossed, to have got through a game without adding significantly to our sick parade, Edwards apart who is apparently having knocks to his shoulder and ankle assessed. As has been mentioned recently, and reported today in a Gazette Danny Cowley interview, Flanagan should be back available, Iandolo, Anderson and Mbick continue to improve and should be back soon, and Gape and Baldwin are both fit and available.
Though they only returned to the football league this season, Barnet aren’t quite the surprise package some might have thought. Most pundits were saying back in summer that they’d probably do quite well under Dead Brennan, backed by chairman Anthony Kleanthous’s wealth, and they currently sit one place and one point higher than the U’s. Brennan is currently serving a recently imposed nine-match touchline suspension for verbally abusing a female match official during their defeat to Shrewsbury way back in September, but I doubt that’ll be a significant factor in their bid for the play-offs. Incidentally, whilst I have no problem with the FA’s punishment for Brennan, to take no action over Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s odious ‘colonised’ comments is shameful.
A few names spring to mind in the “played for both” group, the most notable of which has to be John Akinde – borderline legend status at both clubs I would suggest. There is of course Richard Brindley, who turned down a new contract at the U’s and went to Barnet instead, and the appropriately named Dave Barnett, who started his professional career at Colchester United. Barnett was red-carded on his debut for the U’s, sent off a second time in only his seventh game, and was eventually binned by Jock Wallace after he witnessed an off the ball incident during a reserve team game – can’t think why the U’s faithful called him “Psycho”. He eventually signed for Barry Fry’s Barnet in 1992, where he enjoyed the longest spell of his football career.
As to our line-up for Saturday, unless Edwards’ knock(s) keep him out, I can’t see any good reason to change the line-up. Flanagan to return to the bench, and probably get a run-out as well at some point. If Edwards isn’t fit, I would expect Akachukwu to start on the left, and perhaps Gape to return to the bench. I fear it’s still too soon for Anderson, Iandolo and Mbick.
Substitutes: Smith Flanagan Back Barbrook Goodwin Akachukwu Terry
Like the U’s, Barnet’s form of late has slipped a bit, including defeat at home to Swindon on Tuesday night. They’re a good side though, and I’d expect a similarly tough competitive game as we had at the Abbey. They are a reasonably well disciplined side too, so hopefully we won’t have to worry about being kicked around by some League 2 cloggers. I was at the Hive earlier this season to see Barnet snatch a 90th minute equaliser (undeserved equaliser wearing my U’s tinted glasses), so it would be nice to see some payback for that.
We still have 15 cup finals to play, and plenty of points for the taking, so let’s continue the great result on Tuesday with a resounding 3-1 win for the U’s. Samson to get us off the mark, with Read adding to the tally. Goodwin off the bench to wrap things up near the end. Including a few hundred from Barnet, after Tuesday's performance I expect we'll be above the 5,000 mark at the Jobserve.
It’ll be a breezy relatively mild day tomorrow, the temperature around 11-12 degrees, the wind coming from the south west, and perhaps some light rain showers about, but more likely not expected until the evening.
Yesterday I heard a commentator say “There's been a fair bit of chat about how warm it is down on the ice, especially for the sweepers given how hard they have to work.”
What a Tw@t, there are people who have to shovel shit for 8 hours a day, every day, run up and down ladders with roof tiles, spend all day making beds and wiping arses.
Poncing about on ice, with a broom, for a couple of minutes, is not hard work FFS.
“Cambridge away in the very first round saw a last-minute winner from Whitton.”
Ah, the opening lines to the Special Duties song "Wembley Wembley! (Wembley here we come)" in 1997. Nearly 30 years later, I am certain that all Col U fans would bite their mother’s hand off for another 0-1 as The U’s travel about 375 miles less than they did on Saturday to lock horns with the other U’s from Cambridgeshire.
The less said about the Barrow match the better, so with that in mind let’s look forward to a match up against “local” rivals Cambridge.
Top of the ‘Last 10’ Form Table (Col U 11th) and 3rd in the ‘Last 6’ Form Table (Col U 12th), we head to the ‘Cledara (Sh)Abbey Stadium’ having just been ‘doubled’ by Barrow and so are looking to avoid a ‘double-double’ by avoiding defeat to Cambridge who beat us 1-2 back in August. Cambridge currently lie 2nd the League Two Table (Col U 12th). They are 4pts off top placed Bromley and 1pt clear of 3rd placed Swindon Town.
So, with all of that said we might as well throw in the towel now and hand over the 3 points to Cambridge and save ourselves for a mid-table battle with Barnet on the weekend! As the famous Kiwi saying goes “Yeah, nah!” Not if I know Col U! The Col U that I know goes away to “Man U beating” Grimsby and wins 1-2! Away to “High Flying” Swindon secure a valuable point in a hard-fought 0-0 draw! Deliver a phenomenal away performance at “Pre-Christmas” Walsall winning 0-2 and blow Notts County out of the water in a 1-3 demolition! Come at us Cambridge – what have you got??
As for the starting line-up for Col U for this match where we need to show that we have the kahunas for the fight, I would revert back to basics:
Weather: Sunny and a gently breeze during the day. High 7. Partly cloudy and light winds in the evening.
Score prediction…….
CUFC 1-1 CUFC (Payne)
Up The Real U's!
Ps. FANS WALK TO CAMBRIDGE FOR CHARITY
Three U's fans will be taking on the task of walking from the Community Stadium to Abbey Field Stadium, the home of Cambridge United on 16th February, aiming to arrive on 17th February.
The walk is in aid of mental health charity, Mind.
Mind works across England & Wales, giving support & advice, and are there for you, whether you’re stressed, depressed or in crisis.
Good luck to Adam Law, Jack Armstrong and Johnny Purslow. If you would like to contribute to their cause, please use the below link: https://www.justgiving.com/pag
After a thrilling Semi-final where the lead changed twice, and finally ended requiring a replay. The tie-break rules will apply for this replay.
Blue4U2 v Sector4
Semi-final replay Fixtures 10 games from the Saturday 21st February League programme. If any of these fixtures are called off for any reason, it will be decided on the games left. No more than four predictions the same as your opponent please.
ASTON VILLA v LEEDS UNITED CHELSEA v BURNLEY MILLWALL v PORTSMOUTH WATFORD v DERBY COUNTY WREXHAM v IPSWICH TOWN NORTHAMPTON TOWN v LEYTON ORIENT PETERBOROUGH UNITED v EXETER CITY ACCRINGTON STANLEY v SHREWSBURY TOWN COLCHESTER UNITED v BARNET GILLINGHAM v OLDHAM ATHLETIC
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