| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! 12:45 - Apr 24 with 781 views | durham_exile |
After the euphoria of Tuesday evening and even though Phil “Orange” Brown, who actually resembled the Wild Man of Borneo appearance wise, tried to put a dampener on our celebrations, he was simply masking the fact that Southend United deserve to go down.
By contrast we deserve to stay in the Football league. Back to back wins have seen to that but it is the approach by HM and PT that have galvanised the team and given them belief.
The table never lies:
TOP
Cambridge 43 77 +23
Cheltenham 42 75 +19
Bolton 43 73 +6
Morecambe 43 72 +8
Tranmere 43 69 +5
BOTTOM
Walsall 43 49 -8
Scunny 42 47 -17
COL U 43 47 -17
Barrow 42 46 -6
Southend 43 48 -31
Grimsby 42 37 -30
Remaining Fixtures:
Colchester
Cheltenham A
Salford H 1/5
Tranmere A 8/5
Southend
Orient H
Barrow A 1/5
Newport H 8/5
Grimsby
Oldham A
Exeter A 27/4
PV H 1/5
Cambridge A 8/5
Now at Christmas I reckoned that 53 points was needed to stay up. 50 points would now ensure that we are mathematically safe with Southend already doomed and Grimsby only able to muster 49 points even if they won every game.
League Two football next season will ensure that players who were undecided about staying will show some loyalty. We can surely never have such a poor season again and instead should be challenging at the other end of the table.
HM and PT have worked wonders to ensure that those two home games against the Saddlers and the Shrimpers were Home Wins. The team has been playing with more confidence, relishing the more direct approach. It is worthy of note that Harry Pell resembles more of the player that he was before his injury. In those days he was virtually unplayable. Tuesday night apart from scoring a goal his range of passing was back and he shone like a beacon from midfield.
Where HM has been inspired is pairing Michael Folivi with Big Frank. These two complement each other so well and Folivi is quick and nimble, Frank strong and powerful. Can we re-sign him from Plymouth?
Callum “Ainsley” Harriott has put in Michelin three-star performances and cooked up a gastronomic delight for the supporters, who are hungry for more. He is undoubtably the MasterChef of the JSCS.
Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu has developed into a box-to-box midfielder and if only he could get his shooting boots sorted, he would be good to bag 10 goals per season. Charlton have a buy back clause and perhaps are thinking they made a mistake in selling him.
Noah Chilvers remains resolute and continues to keep Ben Stevenson out of the starting line-up.
All this means that the back four of Welch-Hayes Eastman, Smith and Clampin all look more assured and confident especially keeping a valuable clean sheet.
Shamal George (who surely must be the Colchester Number 1 next season), was in the news over a bizarre incident that occurred in March 2019 in Liverpool. He and his brother were assaulted by a character called Ross Gardner (yes, he can be named, it is the public domain) who was convicted of assault charges and sentenced to 18 months in prison, even though he absconded to Spain and is still believed to be in hiding there. For his part George looks assured and confident in goal and deserves his opportunity between the sticks. Dean Gerken would still be involved at the club perhaps more in a coaching capacity and as Number 2.
Regarding the bench warmers — Courtney Senior remains an enigma. After a spell on the sidelines he returned to show better form and more pace, ball retention and tracking back and then just as quickly went back to his old ways and obscurity beckons again.
Jevani Brown is on the cusp of a regular first team place. I want to see more from him now that HM and PT are getting the best out of their charges.
Paris Cowan-Hall looked as though he was back in the fold and then has been dropped again.
Kwame Poku after appearing for the Black Stars has not been able to force his way back into the team. Josh Bohui has simply disappeared from the scene altogether.
At the end of the season, we will surely say goodbye to loanees Josh Doherty and Aramaide Oteh.
Next season we can surely see more of Junior Tchamadeu, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Billy Cracknell, Harvey Sayer and breaking onto the scene Samson Tovide.
So, what about today. Cheltenham are where we should be, challenging for an automatic promotion spot. Led by Michael Duff they are not unbeatable and have already lost 11 league games this season. It says a lot for the openness of the league that Cheltenham apart, the top nine clubs have all lost 12 or 13 games each.
It is ultimately the number of drawn games (17) that have meant our position looked precarious for so long even four of those transformed into wins would have avoided the panic that set in. Looking back on the season there would also be at least four games that we lost but should have drawn and so instead of 16 defeats we would have looked at 12 not dissimilar to the top nine teams. An extra 20 points and we could have been there again challenging for promotion via the play offs. Still survival is the game in town.
In the final analysis we have survived, but it has been a shocking season. Marine, Exeter Away even the Boundary Park mauling when a draw was on the cards with less than 5 minutes to play has shown how fragile we have been. But ultimately all that will be forgotten once we secure those magical 50 points.
HM and PT look to have sorted the midfield and forward line. Two strikers are an absolute must. Big Frank and Folivi look secure in those positions. Jevani Brown could revert to his favoured Number 10 position.
So, the team today:
George
Welch-Hayes Eastman Smith Clampin
Chilvers Pell Wiredu
Harriott Folivi Nouble
Subs:
Brown Gerken Lapslie Sowunmi Senior Stevenson Cowan-Hall
Playing a consistent team is always favourite. The players rightly celebrated on Tuesday (Scummend would have done the same). I am not a betting man, but I predicted a Colchester win and Demetriou an early bath and frankly I will shed no tears over the Shrimpers demise.
Today is all about another victory perhaps 2-0 to Colchester, it will be tough, but we can do it.
Weather will be 17 degrees Celsius and sunny in Gloucestershire, ideal weather and plenty of water breaks needed.
I have ordered my replica (Southend game) Shirt, Beanie hat and scarf from the recent Colchester merchandise utilising my 39 loyalty points and demand has outstripped supply so more have been ordered by the club. It would be nice to wear those items in August.
It is a pity that we cannot go to the to the final game at Tranmere, but everyone must be patient and hope to return to the grounds at the start of the new season.
RC has been criticised by me over the past few weeks, he can at least take solace in the fact that his austerity measures have worked to a degree and that we should be in a stronger financial position next season.
Enjoy the game today.
50 points tonight would look very good for the League Two table.
Up the U’s
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 14:01 - Apr 24 with 740 views | wessex_exile |
Excellent write-up Durham - thanks!
Don't think you're wrong about Oteh and Doherty moving on, and for me the really exciting prospect has to be Junior Tchamadeu. |  |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 14:10 - Apr 24 with 738 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 14:01 - Apr 24 by wessex_exile |
Excellent write-up Durham - thanks!
Don't think you're wrong about Oteh and Doherty moving on, and for me the really exciting prospect has to be Junior Tchamadeu. |
Wessex - Tchamadeu on the bench today
Team
George
Welch-Hayes Eastman Smith Clampin
Chilvers Pell Wiredu
Harriott Folivi Nouble
Subs
Gerken Lapslie Sowunmi Stevenson Oteh Bohui Tchamadeu
No Brown, Josh Bohui on the bench
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:18 - Apr 24 with 711 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 14:10 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Wessex - Tchamadeu on the bench today
Team
George
Welch-Hayes Eastman Smith Clampin
Chilvers Pell Wiredu
Harriott Folivi Nouble
Subs
Gerken Lapslie Sowunmi Stevenson Oteh Bohui Tchamadeu
No Brown, Josh Bohui on the bench
Up the U's |
Currently toe to toe with Cheltenham
We look strong playing some decent football.
Clampin strong down the left, Chilvers comfortable, Folivi lively
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:31 - Apr 24 with 708 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:18 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Currently toe to toe with Cheltenham
We look strong playing some decent football.
Clampin strong down the left, Chilvers comfortable, Folivi lively
Up the U's |
This is why it is so annoying this season.
There is nothing between the two teams.
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:43 - Apr 24 with 704 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:31 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
This is why it is so annoying this season.
There is nothing between the two teams.
Up the U's |
Ridiculous Duff has influenced the ref to book Pell.
The challenge was fair.
Duff should have been booked by the ref
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:46 - Apr 24 with 702 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:43 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Ridiculous Duff has influenced the ref to book Pell.
The challenge was fair.
Duff should have been booked by the ref
Up the U's |
Orient need to get their act together losing to Scummend.
Oldham 1 Grimsby 1
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:50 - Apr 24 with 699 views | gerry_us |
Come on O's  |  | | |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:52 - Apr 24 with 695 views | wessex_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:50 - Apr 24 by gerry_us |
Come on O's |
Sweet - injury-time equaliser for the O's, that'll take the edge of Brown's half-time team talk - maybe he should have it out on the pitch  | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:54 - Apr 24 with 691 views | wessex_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:31 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
This is why it is so annoying this season.
There is nothing between the two teams.
Up the U's |
Agree, not much between the two sides so far. Cheltenham have had the better chances, but it's still quite even. | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:15 - Apr 24 with 676 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 15:54 - Apr 24 by wessex_exile |
Agree, not much between the two sides so far. Cheltenham have had the better chances, but it's still quite even. |
We just need one clean shot to take the lead.
We look dangerous when we get the opportunity to get into the box.
Too many offsides though which is frustrating.
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:21 - Apr 24 with 675 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:15 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
We just need one clean shot to take the lead.
We look dangerous when we get the opportunity to get into the box.
Too many offsides though which is frustrating.
Up the U's |
In other news Torquay are doing their best to ruin their promotion chance.
Losing at home to Notts County
Come on the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:23 - Apr 24 with 673 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:21 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
In other news Torquay are doing their best to ruin their promotion chance.
Losing at home to Notts County
Come on the U's |
Oteh on for Folivi | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:40 - Apr 24 with 662 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:23 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Oteh on for Folivi |
Orient on the beach and have rolled over at Scummend
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:44 - Apr 24 with 659 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:40 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Orient on the beach and have rolled over at Scummend
Up the U's |
Oldham losing at home to Grimsby
Worse still Cheltenham have scored with a soft goal.
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:51 - Apr 24 with 653 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:44 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Oldham losing at home to Grimsby
Worse still Cheltenham have scored with a soft goal.
Up the U's |
One thing is for sure we never make it easy for ourselves.
We now need something at home to Salford
Brilliant double save from George
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:57 - Apr 24 with 642 views | pwrightsknees |
Got what we deserved.
Up the U's |  | | |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:57 - Apr 24 with 642 views | durham_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:51 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
One thing is for sure we never make it easy for ourselves.
We now need something at home to Salford
Brilliant double save from George
Up the U's |
Very disappointed with the result.
Second half we did not attack sufficiently to get anything.
Up the U's | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:04 - Apr 24 with 634 views | burnsieespana |
So after the joy of Tuesday reality bites today with Grimsby looking dangerous having done today what we couldn't.
We must get something from our last home game against Salford as game against Tranmere looks a tough place to get a point
As they say, not over until the fat lady sings! |  | | |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:05 - Apr 24 with 632 views | wessex_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 16:57 - Apr 24 by durham_exile |
Very disappointed with the result.
Second half we did not attack sufficiently to get anything.
Up the U's |
Very disappointing, but bizarrely we move up the table thanks to Scunthorpe's defeat - would've thought? | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:11 - Apr 24 with 628 views | burnsieespana |
Tuesday night could be decisive with Barrow away to FGR, Grimsby away to Exeter and Scunthorpe away to Newport! | | | |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:31 - Apr 24 with 615 views | wessex_exile |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:11 - Apr 24 by burnsieespana |
Tuesday night could be decisive with Barrow away to FGR, Grimsby away to Exeter and Scunthorpe away to Newport! |
All down to Grimsby really - no way Southend can overhaul the -12 goal difference deficit in two matches. If Grimsby lose, we stay up. If Grimsby draw they've got an almost equally impossible task to overcome a -11 goal difference deficit. If Grimsby win, that makes things very interesting, but now we've got the cushion of Barrow and Scunthorpe below us for them to chase.
This is fun, isn't it  | |
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| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:47 - Apr 24 with 608 views | pwrightsknees |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 17:31 - Apr 24 by wessex_exile |
All down to Grimsby really - no way Southend can overhaul the -12 goal difference deficit in two matches. If Grimsby lose, we stay up. If Grimsby draw they've got an almost equally impossible task to overcome a -11 goal difference deficit. If Grimsby win, that makes things very interesting, but now we've got the cushion of Barrow and Scunthorpe below us for them to chase.
This is fun, isn't it |
It's what footie is all about and a damned sight more exciting than the proposed ESL, although I'm not sure that such excitement involving the U's is good for me at my age.
But, up the U's anyway. | | | |
| Colchester to be the driving force at the Jonny Rocks stadium! on 10:58 - Apr 25 with 519 views | bwildered |
No sign of Brown and Senior in the squad.
Played their last games for the U’s, has contracts due to expire ?? |  |
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