| Bantams would do well not to count their chickens against the resurgent U's 21:01 - Sep 11 with 1287 views | durham_exile |
After the disappointment of a narrow defeat to Exeter City in the play offs, Colchester United, now under the new management of Head Coach Steve Ball and Assistant Hayden Mullins, start their fifth successive season in League Two away to one of the favourites for promotion Bradford City at Valley Parade.
The Bantams are managed for the fourth time by Stuart McCall and include some well-known players Lee Novak, Billy Clarke, and everyone’s favourite pantomime villain Kurtis Guthrie. Normally a 14,000 attendance would have been willing them on, but COVID-19 has put paid to that. Even Cambridge United’s 2,000 supporters will not be present at the Abbey Stadium after the Government’s new restrictions on social gatherings.
All of this is bad news for Colchester United Exiles like me who will miss vital away games in the coming weeks. Still restricting the possibility of a second wave must take priority however disappointing for the spectators at various sporting events.
I will be considering a “prospects for the season” in the coming days but for now must content myself with a preview of this Bantams game only.
Pre-season injuries to Chuck Norris and Tom Lapslie have affected the team, but after the loss of six first teamers we have redressed the balance somewhat with new arrivals in the form of Shamall George, Martell Taylor-Crossdale and Tommy Smith. There is the further possibility of another striker from Pompey Reeco Hackett-Fairchild but competition from Hull City.
Now I am totally clear about the U’s starting XI in a 4,4,1,1 formation and squad numbers:
Dean Gerken (1)
Miquel Scarlett (17) Tom Eastman (18) Tommy Smith (5) Cohen Bramall (3)
Noah Chilvers (14) Harry Pell (8) Ben Stevenson (24) Kwame Poku (23)
Jevani Brown (10)
Martell Taylor-Crossdale (15)
Subs:
Shamal George (29), Miles Welch-Hayes (2), Omar Sowunmi (6), Courtney Senior (7), Luke Gambin (26), Callum Harriott (11), Paris Cowan-Hall (12)
Thinking - the back four has had a reshuffle with Scarlett and Smith coming in. Miles Welch-Hayes would be another possible right back, but I think Scarlett just has the starting XI nod over him at present.
In midfield Noah Chilvers is a definite with new club captain Harry Pell and my favourite Ben Stevenson with Kwame Poku giving a youthful look.
Playing in the 10 position that he was originally bought to occupy is Jevani Brown (revitalised after three early goals) and then as the lone striker Martell Taylor-Crossdale who simply must start tomorrow.
The weather tomorrow will be 14 degrees Celsius and mostly sunny. The advantage of playing at Valley Parade early in the season means that the playing surface will not resemble a battlefield or beach as it does later in the season.
Now after some difficult pre-season games and two tough cup ties Bradford offers the opportunity for the U’s to test themselves against a potential promotion rival. After all the comings and goings, the prospect of league action is to be warmly welcomed. And I reckon we can prevail in a close encounter by 2-1 with Brown and Taylor-Crossdale on the scoresheet.
Enjoy the game whether watching on iPlayer or listening to the radio.
Up the U’s
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| Bantams would do well not to count their chickens against the resurgent U's on 18:31 - Sep 12 with 464 views | durham_exile |
| Bantams would do well not to count their chickens against the resurgent U's on 17:55 - Sep 12 by wessex_exile |
I suspect the fact he wasn't even on the bench but a 16 year old was hints at there being a good reason - could be match fitness, could have picked up a tweak or knock, maybe even isolating because someone in his bubble tested positive - I'm sure it'll come out during the week? |
David Gregory only said he wasn't at Bradford.
He played 20 minutes at Pompey and there was no mention of fitness or lack of.
Had a striker played we would have won today.
Chuck is out for three months and so MTC must play unless Hutchinson plays but I think Brown and MTC offer pace and skill up front.
Up the U's | |
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