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U's Vs Coventry - Durham's Preview
Monday, 12th Feb 2018 22:57 by Durham Exile

John McGreal and his charges return to WHCS action on Tuesday evening against Coventry City.

The Sky Blues managed by Mark Robins (who was always a thorn in our side as a player) had a most disappointing result against Accrington Stanley on Saturday in front of 28,343 supporters. This on the back of a defeat to Forest Green suggests that their attention is more directed towards the F A Cup 5th Round match at Brighton on Saturday, where they have already sold 5,000 tickets to their supporters, who clearly sense an upset at the Amex. They are set to bring a tenth of that figure tomorrow evening to Colchester.

Colchester must turn this to their advantage and look to inflict a third successive league defeat on Coventry at Fortress Weston. On Saturday the long trip to Carlisle elicited a single point, when all three were there for the taking. Tuesday affords the U’s the opportunity to draw level with Coventry on the magical 50-point mark and to set them up nicely for the match at Gresty Road against the Railwaymen on Saturday.

Kyel Reid, after his public falling out with his paymasters at the start of the season enjoyed a loan spell with the Super U’s, which was not always productive. He has skill and ability, but he blows hot and cold and often fails to deliver where it matters. In stark contrast Colchester have very generously been loaned the sensational midfielder Ben Stevenson, who ironically was transferred from Coventry to Wolverhampton for £500k. He has talent and ability in spades and gave a very accomplished performance at Carlisle on Saturday. He should be number one on JM’s team sheet.

Now forget all the nonsense about Coventry taking their eye off the ball. Robins will have been seething after the defeat at the weekend and will be keen to put things right at a ground where they fare very well. JM must ensure that the U’s go for the jugular on Tuesday and secure the three points which are very much there for the taking with a professional and disciplined performance.

On Saturday Sean Murray made a very welcome and surprisingly quick return after injury but Kurtis Guthrie picked up an ankle injury after a foul by Clint Hill. Guthrie who in fairness had looked out of sorts did not seem fully fit to me and his side-lining though regrettable will afford him the opportunity to come back restored for the vital run in.

Tuesday will also be too soon for Brennan Dickenson to start, he needs more time before being unleashed by JM. But we need him very soon with new loanee Olamide Shodipo still unfit and this is a shame when he was brought in to play left wing in the interim.

Guthrie’s injury gives JM a decision to make. Does he play safe and bring in the one goal in three-man Liam Mandeville (who frankly looked out of his depth on Saturday) or be adventurous and play Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe with the inspirational Courtney Senior. Is Junior destined to be another Macca Bonne, I hope not because his pace and raw talent is desperately needed to convert chances that are being created but being spurned.

Sadly, JM will always play the safe option and so he will go with the following;

Walker

Eastman Prosser Kent

Jackson Murray Stevenson Wright

Senior Mandron

Mandeville

Subs:
Gilmartin Comley Lapslie Inniss Ogedi-Uzokwe Szmodics Dickenson

He might however spring a surprise and put Dickenson on the bench to perhaps introduce him with 15 to play. Let us hope so.

The Colchester weather looks like it will be around 4 degrees Celsius but wet in the evening. The pitch will be good, and it is up to the faithful to get behind their favourites and spur them to victory.

There are some interesting games tomorrow evening:

Accrington v Crewe
Lincoln v Cheltenham
Luton v Crawley
Mansfield v Newport
Notts Co v Carlisle
Wycombe v Swindon

The time for consistency of results is now and we must secure the maximum against Coventry to send out the message of intent with only 14 games to play and 29 points to obtain.

Enjoy the game, keep the faith and enjoy the three points.

Up the U’s

Photo: Action Images



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