JM takes his high-flying (deservedly so) charges to Boundary Park (also now known as the SportsDirect.comPark) on Saturday for a challenging and important League Two fixture. So far this season I have been to Notts County, Mansfield and Tranmere, on paper all challenging games. All three resulted in draws and with the well-earned win at Cheltenham, we can certainly approach this game in good spirits.
The table is very tight at the top as one would expect with only 8 games played. Incredibly though after Saturday we will have played one fifth of the season’s fixtures. All the more reason to look for three more precious points against the Latics, who themselves have moved into Play Off contention.
Frankie Bunn is the manager at Boundary Park and in Sam Surridge they have a quality striker on loan from Bournemouth, who knows where the goal is. At the back they have club captain and veteran defender Peter Clarke, who has now clocked up over 700 appearances in a 20-year career. It is 6th versus 4th and so it will both closely fought and a keen encounter.
Top eight in the table:
Lincoln 8 19
Exeter 8 16
Newport 8 16
COL U 8 15
Yeovil 7 14
Oldham 8 14
Bury 8 13
Tranmere 8 13
It is likely that both teams will be unchanged after comprehensive 3-0 victories against Grimsby and Cambridge last weekend. Colchester are the real deal this season and the acquisitions made during the close season have all contributed to the quality and ability of the team. Frank Nouble opened his account last week by scoring a very impressive goal after a trademark powerful run. He gets better each week and compliments Luke Norris in an impressive forward line.
The only possible change to the Cambridge game would be for JM to revert to three at the back with Tom Eastman playing alongside Prosser and Kent. But I reckon he will keep the 4,3,2,1 formation as follows:
Barnes
Jackson Prosser Kent Vincent-Young
Pell Comley Dickenson
Nouble Szmodics
Norris
Subs:
Ross Senior Collins Mandron Eastman Wright Gondoh
After a week of storms, strong winds and some heavy showers, interspersed with sunny intervals in Durham, it is pleasing to note that tomorrow's Oldham weather is set to be mostly cloudy with some bright intervals and about 11 degrees Celsius.
This is a good time to play at Boundary Park, notwithstanding the fact that they are playing well, we have a decent record against the Latics and the pitch will be much better than in the depths of the winter months.
With Bury, Yeovil and Stevenage to play in the next three weeks, tomorrow will be a good test of our promotion credentials. The faithful will be travelling in good number and hopefully will be in excellent voice.
I have persuaded both my sons to travel with me and we will be sporting the new Away shirts. Hoping for a decent journey and three points.
Safe journey to those travelling from North Essex. Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s