| Colchester 1 : 1 Crawley. Noah's Report 14:28 - Sep 22 with 1087 views | noah4x4 |
“Noah’s Report” always seeks to look at games a little differently from the matter of fact; blow by blow; match reports that can be found on the U’s official website; or Sky or BBC. It’s a sincere fans eye opinion; albeit via blinkered blue & white (or white/gold trim) tinted glasses!
It is 22 September 2013; eight league matches completed; two wins; four draws; league points ten; the U’s position a healthy mid-table twelfth; despite being the pundit’s relegation favorites. A year in office just completed by Joe Dunne with the relatively novice gaffer still enjoying the confidence of most fickle of fans. Results to date include a 1:1 home draw against Crawley; and an earlier 1:1 away draw against Sheffield United; the Blades today being just a point from the bottom of the table.
Contrast that to our woes on 22 September 2012. Similarly, we had played eight; but no wins; four draws; merely four points; relegation zone and John Ward sacked in the morning; coincidentally; also after a 1-1 home draw against Crawley and a 1:1 away draw against Sheffield United; the Blades then being in the top six. It’s funny how some, but not all, history does repeat itself.
The difference in data is hence merely two hard fought wins against Gillingham and Port Vale; but these were not even in Division One last year and both are finding the higher division fairly challenging; although it is surprising what difference one win makes (for Vale). The cynics might hence argue that the U's still can’t beat ‘regular’ Division One sides; and quite evidently, the margin between managerial success and failure is slim; whilst the gap between Martin Allen’s lips remains a chasm; but I digress…..
Now contrast the starting line-ups on these comparable Saturdays;
2012 Cousins; Wilson; Okuonghae; Eastman; Rose; Izzet; Wordworth; Bean; Henderson; Morrison; Massey.
In my humble opinion; a tired uninspiring stodgy John Ward group designed to avoid defeat whilst playing an unattractive brand of football that attracted a gate of merely 2,484 versus Crawley; in a game where the U’s had merely seven shots; five on target.
2013 Walker: Wilson; Okuonghae:Taylor; Garbutt; Wright (David); Eastmond; Sears; Monakana; Gilbey: Ibrehe.
Nine changes from the previous year; and an exceptionally young team DESIGNED TO WIN.
The gate of 3,031 against Crawley is still not inspiring; but is an increase of 22%; with the entertainment being eleven shots; five on target; also somewhat better; but not ideal; but let’s show some due respect to a higher quality Crawley side that have already put Peterborough and Coventry to the sword.
After the long trek to Bradford where we did put in an inspired performance; and after watching the more lack-lustre game yesterday; I think the difference between our current mid-table status or instead having fourteen points and being sat on the edge of the play offs can be summed up in four action points; Massey hitting the post against Bradford; Ibrehe hitting the post against Crawley; then Gilbey missing a great opportunity against each. But by contrast; it has also taken five wonder saves during September by Sam Walker to avoid us having merely six points; and be close to a similar dismal fate as last season; struggling to play 'catch-up'.
But what is encouraging; indeed exciting me; is that yesterday it was, at last; Joe Dunne's OWN team; and apart from Gilbey’s alleged antics; it’s a team that has loyalty to Joe; a commitment to playing an attacking fluent passing game; with a winning attitude; discipline; confidence; EXTREME youth; stamina and footballing ability. On the bench we had even more youth; Spence; Sendles-White; Connor Hubble and Lapado; players that I am looking forward to seeing over ninety minutes against the Crystal Palace under 21’s on Tuesday.
I may still have those tinted spectacles on; but we are possibly on the brink of great things; so let’s be patient and not get frustrated by results like yesterday where the referee and linesmen’s second half performance was sufficiently abysmal to make us more depressed. Can lino’s never make their own decisions; and why do they always miss the most blatant of pushes; but spot every minor shoe-lace and handbag tangle?
I am still seething that we didn't get a deserved penalty against Orient; whilst yesterday we also didn't get the rub of the green. By contrast; I have seen Orient three times this season and I want to know what Russell Slade has stepped in? The O's were very ordinary against both the U's and Crewe; each time getting lucky as regards crucial penalty decisions. But too be fair; they were merciless against a shocking Notts County (as we should be). I think Brentford and Walsall in the next eight days will end the EastEnders particular glee. But again I digress....
Yesterday; it’s true that we were far from outstanding; particularly in the second half; but we did have THREE young home debutantes; each short of competitive match practice; who had only met each other and the rest of the squad this week. Two thirds of the match squad are probably required to carry photo-card proof of age to get served a shandy! We will be tested by Wolves and Walsall; but if we can hold our own until Christmas; once this youthful side matures; I believe we may see an awesome new era of success. In the meanwhile; let's enjoy watching some entertaining football; and not get too despondent if things don't always go our way.
[Post edited 22 Sep 2013 16:03]
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| Colchester 1 : 1 Crawley. Noah's Report on 22:07 - Sep 22 with 1029 views | Barsidepete |
fantastic writing and a real bird's-eye perspective as usual. Thanks, Noah:) |  |
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| Colchester 1 : 1 Crawley. Noah's Report on 14:46 - Sep 23 with 994 views | burnsieespana |
Must say I just about agree with you Noah and thank you for your report. Not having seen Col U this year I was not sure what to expect and still am a little undecided if it was a good point won or two lost!
My thoughts were that Col U tried to "play football" from the back all the time so didn't see it as a lack lustre performance although maybe a tad pedestrian but when you pass back to the keerper a lot that does always seem the team is not going anywhere.
Considering Sears only just back from injury with Taylor at the back having only arrived saturday morning thought we defended well with Magnus having a superb game. I was also most impressed with Garbutt at left back and Crawley going forward were strong but they were not particularly good at defending.
I thought a draw was just about the right result as we did not deserve to loose and feel if we continue playing the way we did on saturday, we will be ok this season and with our limited resources 12/13th would be a good season.
Hopefully the injuries clear up withing the next month and then Joe can select his best starting eleven.
Unfortunately gates will remain around the 3000 mark which is a real shame because Joe is heading in the right direction and given another year to mature we could next year be really strong. |  | | |
| Colchester 1 : 1 Crawley. Noah's Report on 15:59 - Sep 23 with 987 views | Leadbelly |
With a very young side, including several loan players and ravaged by yet more injuries (Eastman, Drey Wright, Olufemi plus Massey aggravating a previous injury) I reckon this has to be viewed as a point gained.
We are trying to play football and we are not conceding lots of goals. Joe clearly has a system within which he wants the team to play and the constant changes in personnel don't help with that.. Perhaps we will have a much better idea how good that system may be if we could field a settled side for 4 or 5 games. |  |
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| Colchester 1 : 1 Crawley. Noah's Report on 18:21 - Sep 23 with 981 views | wessex_exile |
| Colchester 1 : 1 Crawley. Noah's Report on 14:46 - Sep 23 by burnsieespana |
Must say I just about agree with you Noah and thank you for your report. Not having seen Col U this year I was not sure what to expect and still am a little undecided if it was a good point won or two lost!
My thoughts were that Col U tried to "play football" from the back all the time so didn't see it as a lack lustre performance although maybe a tad pedestrian but when you pass back to the keerper a lot that does always seem the team is not going anywhere.
Considering Sears only just back from injury with Taylor at the back having only arrived saturday morning thought we defended well with Magnus having a superb game. I was also most impressed with Garbutt at left back and Crawley going forward were strong but they were not particularly good at defending.
I thought a draw was just about the right result as we did not deserve to loose and feel if we continue playing the way we did on saturday, we will be ok this season and with our limited resources 12/13th would be a good season.
Hopefully the injuries clear up withing the next month and then Joe can select his best starting eleven.
Unfortunately gates will remain around the 3000 mark which is a real shame because Joe is heading in the right direction and given another year to mature we could next year be really strong. |
Gate-wise I'd expect we'll be near the 8k mark next match - Wolves are getting 3,000 tickets, which I'd imagine they'll sell most of, and if the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers doesn't flush out another 1-2k from Colchester and district I'll be very surprised.
Back to 3k for Walsall though... |  |
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