John McGreal takes his resurgent Colchester side to Portsmouth for their sternest test of the season to date.

Despite a sluggish start to the season Paul Cook’s team have the players to challenge near the top of the League. However, JM has instilled confidence and flair into his players and I see no reason why they cannot come away from Fratton Park with a victory on Saturday.

The last time we went to Pompey, both teams were languishing at the wrong end of League 1 and Colchester prevailed on that occasion. They can do so again this weekend.

The inclusion of Brennan Dickenson has transformed the team, he offers pace and goals in a squad that is playing confident, attacking football. The super U’s under JM’s shrewd management are looking to bounce back to the higher division at the first time of asking.

Yes, it is very early in the season, but the splendid start made by JM’s team is entirely justified as a result of some sparkling football and the desire to play as a unit in order to secure the results needed to attain a top seven finish.

JM is also showing that he has decided on a settled squad and a preferred starting XI. I do not expect to see any changes to the team that started against the Mariners on Tuesday evening.

Walker

Brindley Prosser Eastman Kinsella

Wright Lapslie Szmodics Dickenson

Guthrie

Porter

Subs:

Bransgrove, Vincent-Young, Wynter, Loft, Slater, Sembie-Ferris, Johnstone

My personal preference would be to start Johnstone but JM seems to have Chris Porter playing better than in his woeful start to the season against Hartlepool. JM also is not afraid to make use of his substitutes and I would expect to see Johnstone, Loft and Slater deployed during the afternoon to bolster the team.

Pompey will be buoyed by an expectant bumper crowd, but large crowds in large stadia can very quickly become large libraries, especially if we take the game to our hosts. Indeed, the silence can be deafening and definitely work against the hosts (simply ask the Blades at Bramall Lane).

The faithful will travel in confident mood and it should be an entertaining game. Colchester to play with confidence and commitment and if we do then the chimes will be silent at ten minutes to five on Saturday.

Up the U’s

Photo: Action Images

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