Forum | Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston by durham_exile

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Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston 21:08 - Jan 19 with 1322 views

How fortunes change, in a few short days the U’s have gone from one of the top form teams in the league to a team that suddenly hasn’t won in four games and has conceded as many goals in the last two games as they did in the previous 12. Colchester currently sit in 11th place having played at least one more game than their rivals.

Russell Slade’s Grimsby are certainly no better and have lost their last four games and are 17th. Therefore two of the most disappointing teams form wise line up at the WHCS on Saturday, in what is a must not lose for both teams.

Having painted a grim picture, it is easy to allow the glass half empty brigade to prevail, but a handsome home win and the U’s will be looking forward to a top seven place again. Defeat and the anger sharks will be swimming around Colchester and with some justification.

JM therefore must deploy his team to secure the maximum this weekend. This week has seen 22-year-old centre midfielder Brandon Comley sign permanently for the U’s from parent club QPR. I think that this is a decent signing, Comley has been playing well and has not let the side down, offering consistently good performances for his loan team. He will now be able to push on and help his new club to promotion.

Discussions with Kyel Reid continue, albeit from a distance via text because Reid is back in Coventry. He still has two more games to serve on suspension before he is eligible to possibly play again. The jury is still out on Reid. He has scored 3 goals in 13 games, but his judgement was seriously lacking when he foolishly lashed out prior to a U’s free kick against Cheltenham.

What JM must ask is, does he offer something to the team that other wide players at the club cannot bring to the party. Kane Vincent-Young, Ryan Jackson, Drey Wright and of course Brennan Dickenson are all able to perform in wide roles for the U’s. Dickenson will be back in February and is our best winger without doubt. Reid is 30 years of age and whilst you could argue that he could play for another 5 years. He lacks consistency and blows hot and cold during a match.

Walker remains number one and this is not open to debate. Rene Gilmartin has added a new dimension that previous Goal keeping coaches have not, but big Sam is the first choice between the sticks.

Luke Prosser’s return to the team gives JM another decision to make. Does he play him at the back with Eastman Inniss and Kent in a back four or play him instead of one of the others. The three at the back formation has been the mainstay of our recent good form and this is something that JM must address. Prosser was of course club captain prior to his horrendous long-term injury. We must not forget about Cameron James, who I thought played very well last season, but his opportunities have been limited this year.

Given that Murray, Comley and Jackson are the preferred midfield formation does JM add Drey Wright to the mix or bring Marmite back into a possible four. Doug Loft if fit is also in contention.

This would mean that Szmodics would continue to play just behind Mandron and Guthrie in a front three which seems to be the preferred forward line. JM must decide quickly though whether Mandron and Guthrie can play effectively together or whether Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe should be given a chance up front with Guthrie.

JM has also stated that he would like to strengthen the squad still further. I agree wholeheartedly, an experienced midfield player and another striker are both required now that the disappointing Brandon Hanlan has returned to his parent club Charlton Athletic.

Tomorrow JM must bring home the three points against the Mariners. They need to be battered into submission and sent back to Humberside after a real drubbing. We are due a decent home win and something like 4-0 would go down a storm.

His team must be something along these lines:

Walker

Eastman Inniss Kent

Jackson Murray Comley Wright

Szmodics

Mandron Guthrie

Subs:
Gilmartin Kpekawa Prosser Lapslie Ogedi-Uzokwe Loft James

If Tom Lapslie plays, then Drey Wright drops to the bench I would imagine. All of this suggests that Dickenson must return as soon as he is fully fit and able to do so. Perhaps the Coventry City home game on 13 February.

The Weather forecast suggests 5 degrees Celsius in Colchester tomorrow with light rain falling. Durham has seen two decent falls of snow this week, the second delivering 6ins of the white stuff and it remains cold and frosty tonight. We returned from the South West this week where it was 11 degrees and mainly dry but with occasional light showers. Apparently, it is due to turn milder next week, bring it on!

Let us hope for a better crowd tomorrow, less than 3,000 helps no one and if the team are to achieve promotion they need plenty more to roar them on.

Enjoy the game.

Up the U’s

[Post edited 20 Jan 2018 14:06]

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 14:13 - Jan 20 with 1244 views

durham_exile

Two changes to the anticipated line up

Lapslie and Vincent-young for Mandron and Comley

Prosser and Junior on the bench

Up the U's

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 15:20 - Jan 20 with 1225 views

gerry_us

JJ O'Toole and Porter on target already.
Now Alex Gilbey.
Hey-Ho how we could do with one.
Now Elito. This is so frustrating.
No doubt Macca will bag one later.
Is there a fundamental reason why ex U's players go on scoring sprees when they leave us?
You couldn't make it up; Scotty Vernon enters the fray.
Guess what will happen next......
Oh no.....nearly Vernon but 0-1 Vernam....
Weh Hey...now Gavin Massey scores for Wigan.

[Post edited 20 Jan 2018 15:54]

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 15:41 - Jan 20 with 1206 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 15:20 - Jan 20 by gerry_us

[Post edited 20 Jan 2018 15:54]

Gerry
Scotty too hotty has just taken to the field for Grimsby

Worse still the Mariners have taken the lead.
Absolutely shocking

Up the U's

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:09 - Jan 20 with 1184 views

gerry_us

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 15:41 - Jan 20 by durham_exile
Gerry Scotty too hotty has just taken to the field for Grimsby Worse still the Mariners have taken the lead. Absolutely shocking Up the U's

Half time "discussions had an effect. 1-1

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:14 - Jan 20 with 1182 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:09 - Jan 20 by gerry_us
Half time "discussions had an effect. 1-1

Sean Murray - but Courtney Senior's introduction has made a difference.

Up the lacklustre and totally out of sorts Super U's

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:28 - Jan 20 with 1176 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:14 - Jan 20 by durham_exile
Sean Murray - but Courtney Senior's introduction has made a difference. Up the lacklustre and totally out of sorts Super U's

Attendance 3,016

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:38 - Jan 20 with 1172 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:28 - Jan 20 by durham_exile
Attendance 3,016

Test of character for the Us
Can we get the vital third goal in this game

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:44 - Jan 20 with 1170 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:38 - Jan 20 by durham_exile
Test of character for the Us Can we get the vital third goal in this game

What is going on we need the three points

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:53 - Jan 20 with 1169 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 16:44 - Jan 20 by durham_exile
What is going on we need the three points

Not happening 1-1 our shocking form continues

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 17:36 - Jan 20 with 1156 views

noah4x4

Was that the worst first half performance ever?

Team totally disconnected. Szmodics poor, Wright awful, Guthrie no service. Midfield gone AWOL except for Lapslie. Might easily have been 3-0 down.

Inspired substitution, Courtney Senior has a massive impact. Much better, should have won, but Wright and Szmodics in front of goal were woeful.

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 17:48 - Jan 20 with 1151 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 17:36 - Jan 20 by noah4x4
Was that the worst first half performance ever? Team totally disconnected. Szmodics poor, Wright awful, Guthrie no service. Midfield gone AWOL except for Lapslie. Might easily have been 3-0 down. Inspired substitution, Courtney Senior has a massive impact. Much better, should have won, but Wright and Szmodics in front of goal were woeful.

Noah - did Junior get to actually touch the ball and if so what do you think of him?

Port Vale next weekend will be a stern test for a side that needs an injection of confidence.

Up the stuttering U's

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 18:03 - Jan 20 with 1149 views

Leadbelly

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 17:48 - Jan 20 by durham_exile
Noah - did Junior get to actually touch the ball and if so what do you think of him? Port Vale next weekend will be a stern test for a side that needs an injection of confidence. Up the stuttering U's

Junior came on with seconds to go so no time to judge his ability. Senior aside, everyone else was bloody useless. What an absolute shambles in the first half. Improved in the second half to compete with a Grimsby side that was pretty poor. Talk of a play off place is laughable if we perform as we did this afternoon. Wish I'd stayed in the pub.

Poll:

Safe standing at football; yes, know or don't know?

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 18:13 - Jan 20 with 1146 views

durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 18:03 - Jan 20 by Leadbelly
Junior came on with seconds to go so no time to judge his ability. Senior aside, everyone else was bloody useless. What an absolute shambles in the first half. Improved in the second half to compete with a Grimsby side that was pretty poor. Talk of a play off place is laughable if we perform as we did this afternoon. Wish I'd stayed in the pub.

Thanks LB - grim times indeed.

At least we didn't lose!!!!

Up the U's

Durham_exile

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 19:54 - Jan 20 with 1124 views

Leadbelly

Just had a look at the league table. Barnet, Grimsby and Col U are the only sides that haven't won in the last five games. Worrying change in form since the start of 2018.

Poll:

Safe standing at football; yes, know or don't know?

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 20:05 - Jan 20 with 1115 views

thrillseeker

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 18:03 - Jan 20 by Leadbelly
Junior came on with seconds to go so no time to judge his ability. Senior aside, everyone else was bloody useless. What an absolute shambles in the first half. Improved in the second half to compete with a Grimsby side that was pretty poor. Talk of a play off place is laughable if we perform as we did this afternoon. Wish I'd stayed in the pub.

Senior was OK for first 20 minutes of 2nd half but soon disappeared.

Surprised no one has mentioned Sam Walker as without his saves in 1st half we could easily been 3 or 4 down by the time they did score. Yes he has become irritatingly slow with his distribution but one can only assume that is what he is being told to do by management.

1st half - worst 45 mins I have seen in years.

2nd half - better but not by much

Can anyone explain the final substitution?

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 20:22 - Jan 20 with 1104 views

Leadbelly

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 20:05 - Jan 20 by thrillseeker

Quite right to mention Walker. Over the last few games he's had plenty of work to do. He's performed admirably, despite having little in the way of a defence in front of him.

Poll:

Safe standing at football; yes, know or don't know?

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 21:15 - Jan 20 with 1089 views

gerry_us

"Can anyone explain the final substitution?"Â Â

Looks like he has taken the Macca Bonne position.

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 22:23 - Jan 20 with 1070 views

mfb_cufc

I agree with what the others at the game today have said, the first-half was one of the worst I have ever seen. I blame JM for not changing things after 20 minutes, instead of leaving it to half-time. Who is the comedian at the club offering Drey Wright a new contract. Yet another dreadful display from him today. We have (I think) 13 players out of contract in the summer, and only 4 as far as I know have been offered a new one, and Wright is one of them. Unbelievable. It must be the same comedian who has put a price tag of £1m on Sammie Szmodics. Nobody is going to pay that for injury prone player who has scored a few goals lately. Not for the first time this season he was totally anonymous again today. Without the goals he offers little.

We need a minimum of 28 points from the last 17 games to make the play-offs. That is a similar run to the one we produced at the end of 2017. But our form in 2018 gives us no chance of achieving that. We badly need an injection of new blood before the window closes, but it is looking highly unlikely. At least it will stop Cowling saying we are punching above our weight as we spend another season in this dreadful League.

mfb

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 22:43 - Jan 20 with 1065 views

Leadbelly

Mariners to be gutted by Super U's at Fortress Weston on 22:23 - Jan 20 by mfb_cufc

The current squad has probably done enough to avoid relegation so I won't be surprised if there is little in the way of new blood during this transfer window.

Poll:

Safe standing at football; yes, know or don't know?

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