Thetownend.com

The Opponent:  Colchester United

Every time I hear the word Colchester  I  think of  the coldest and most soul less of all the new build grounds I have been too. My last visit was an FA Cup tie I believe, Matt Ritchie scoring the only goal of the game and celebrating in front of the frozen 500 odd that made the long journey to Essex. There was not a pub for miles if memory serves, parking was rubbish and the stewards all reminded me of Phil Mitchell wannabes. Colchester itself had very little to offer on the way home apart from the road out, which seemed to go on forever. I hate to think how I would recall the place had we lost that cold day. Apart from a military prison, Blur, all round prick Darren Day and Dermot O’Leary there really isn’t a great deal to say about the place. Colchester is said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain and even served as the provincial capital of Roman Britain. Back in 2004, an exploration team found the remains of a chariot race track underneath a Colchester garrison, the only ever find of its kind in The UK to this day. The chav population of this particular part of Essex is rather less than that of Basildon and Romford, with just 1 chav in every 4 Colcestrians.

Last Time Out –  Colchester 2 Chesterfield 1: Colchester extended their unbeaten league run after coming from behind to beat Chesterfield.  Sam Clucas fired past Sam Walker from close range to put the visitors in front inside a minute.  Substitute Rhys Healey made an immediate impact when he equalised with a fine finish from Sanchez Watt's pass, as the U's looked to fight back. Freddie Sears fired into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to seal the win for the home side.
Starting XI -  Walker, Hewitt, Kent (Okuonghae), Eastman, Clohessy, Moncur (Healey), Fox, Gilbey, Masset, Sears, Watt.

They have served us both –  Martin Williams, Michael Smith, Kevin Watson, Jon Sheffield, Mark Yeates, Tony Thorpe, Keith Scott, Lloyd Opara, Richard McKinney, Andy King, Jamie Cureton, Roy Bicknell, Ray Bunkell, Will Dixon, David Prutton (served is a little kind), Tom McAlister, John McLaughlin, Jordan Pavett, Paul Roberts, Ian Culverhouse, Johnnie Jackson, John McClelland, Walter Nunn, Andy Petterson, Michael Rose.

One From The Past –. January 17th 2004: Swindon Town 2 Colchester 0. Just over 6000 turned up to witness a straight forward victory for Town with goals from Sam Parkin in the 1st half and Tommy Mooney just after the break leaving us in 6th place after 27 games.

The Odds –  Swindon  10/11 Draw 12/5 Colchester 10/3

The Son Says – Did his birthday party at Futsal this year, thoroughly recommend it if you like that sort of thing. 2-0 easy victory.

The Prediction – I think we really should have a bit too much for Colchester, they are on a decent run but we will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday night. 1-0 win, late Williams goal.

And Finally – Since 2006, Colchester has been one of only 12 places in the UK where Royal Salutes are fired to mark Royal anniversaries and visits by foreign heads of state. From 2009, these salutes have taken place in Castle Park


COYR COYR COYR COYR

Bounce back win.

I just did a burp that sounded remarkably like '2-0', so that's gonna be the scoreline, to us, Williams and Byrne scoring.

First time I saw us play ColU, we put 6 on them in 63. This put into my head the notion that we should be beating them....sadly although we win the odd one...we similarly lose inexplicably.

It's a kind of Rochdale syndrome....up until Tuesday we'd never lost to Dale, but you knew it had all the hallmarks of a horrible game, and so it proved. ColU are on a roll atm, whereas our form is a bit poor.

A win would be massive, but if the wheels are falling off, a resounding clang at 4:55 wouldn't be a surprise.

6-1, Williams (2); Obika (3); Turnbull.

In respone to Reg 'slash your wrists' Smeeton, we didn't play badly on Tuesday.

We just defended poorly.

Normal service to be resumed today with a 3-0 win.

Smudge, Byrne and Obika with 7398 mothers

No it's not. Our last 6 results: WWWWDL. Unless by "form" you mean "the last game"

Or take into account the Plymouth game, then the last 3 are LDL

The last 15 years has been all Colchester, Brentford and Oldham and I'm ####ing sick of it.  Another Colchester game...yay!

For the love of God, get promoted, Town.  It's our turn, surely.  Long overdue a spell in the 2nd tier now.  Three points today to set us on our way.

Sorry to go all ´Reg Smeeton´on you, but our recent record at the County Ground against this lot is far from impressive (LWLDWLD).  So, it's high time we started putting that right.  Scrappy 2-1 win for Town.

Amen to that x 1000.

I pray daily for us to get back to 2nd tier football while I still have (most of) my faculties, can breathe unassisted and walk without a Zimmer frame 8)

2-0 Smith, Williams please, thank you very much.

First home game of the season for me today. Come on Town!

Owing to a delayed flight home I missed the Rochdale game so first game at home since 20th Sept, for me, hope Coops put Kasim back in his rightful position and we should claim a nervy win, 2-1 for me.  About 30 years ago i went to the old Col. U. ground and watched us getting a bit of a hammering on an awful pitch, the ref mercifully called a halt after an hour as the heavens opened and if I remember correctly we actually won when it was replayed!

2-1 Swindon. Williams and Obika for Town and Sears for Colchester

In modern times, Town rarely brush Colchester aside at the CG. I'm going so it would be splendid if Swindon bucked that trend today.

This is a must win game ( aren`t they all ) good run brought to an end against Rochdale - records against Colchester not so impressive - need to avoid a bad run of games which might well happen unless we get a result.....still feeling confident but........2-1  :hmmm:

Reckon this might be turdid.

Hoping for a 2-0 win (luongo, Obika) and a better train journey back to the smoke!

The last 2 home games against this lot have been shite. Hope for a good win. I know some people who are bringing their kids for the first and second time today so it would be a good chance to impress. The key to this will be our defence who were awful Tuesday. Play like that again, we lose, play decent, we win. 

Scrappy 1-0 , Smith with a late headed winner. Hopefully we don't try fitting square pegs in round holes again and give young Harry a try

Agombar

Signalling issues at swindon station means I've no idea when I'm going to arrive! What is it with me and trains at the moment!

Can't make today but hoping for a 2-0 win, the type of game we usually go onto lose 1-0 though.

Felt like shit all week so finally given in to man flu  :puke:

Tough call this one as recent home games v them have been dire,
Going for a 3.1 win despite that.

Freddy Sears is one to watch for them and they may include George Moncur in today's team. If half as good as his dad will be a decent player

Louis and Reeves in for Rogers and Gladwin, Kasim continues at sweeper

Town starting XI: Foderingham (C), Thompson L, Stephens, Turnbull, Byrne, Luongo, Kasim, Reeves, Bell, Smith, Williams #STFC

Subs: Belford, Barthram, Jones, Toffolo, Rodgers, Gladwin, Obika #STFC

Think louis will be the one in the back 3, maybe stephens will play sweeper

Colchester have a Drum :(
wankers

Preston 0-2 Fleetwood. 7 mins gone.

Unexpected.

Fleetwood two up at Preston  :eek: and Rochdale one up at Yeovil

Bells crossing not got any better by the sound of it.

Rochdale two up now
Is the weak point of Bell's game, the final ball

Last week the weak point of Bell was his play, would like to see Toffo given a chance.

The top of the table is so tight, if we were to score we would go from 8th to 3rd as it stands...

Get in Smith!

There you go :D

Get in!

right on cue!

Smiths 10th of the season.

Darius Henderson sent off

Sent of for violent conduct (fighting).

Shitty one up

Barry Corr still knocking them in for Southend...

And Matt Ritchie for Muff

Pox 1 nil up

Dominant first half but a bit frustrating. The short passes are beautiful but at times there's been a lack of movement in midfield as all three are trying to sit in. Wes has probably had more touches and time in possession than any of their players, they're happy to let him come forwards and there aren't many options being offered for him.

Louis is playing on the right of the back three and for me is trying too hard to be a proper defender, not getting forwards when he can and not running with the ball- Stephens is regularly running with the ball, Louis is looking for Byrne or Luongo every time.

Much the better team though, just need to guard against mistakes. Oh, and the atmosphere is non existent, think the TE are still in the pub

FFS

Fuck sake.

We like conceding early 2nd half don't we

Get in Smith!

Get in! Smudger

Bizarre start to the second half!

so players is at least 5 mins behind for me!!!!!

Was just going to post it had a ring of Tuesday night about it.  Didn't get a chance  :)

So it's 2-1, right ?!

and then without doing anything it catches up and we're winning 2.1

fucking shit player

FFS

2-2

We are conceding so many goals.

Pissing about at the back again.  Really not good enough.

Sounds like they have the upper hand this half.
Defence has definately been poor recently.
Score 2 at home should win. Long way to go yet tho

Toffo coming on for his debut.

Barnsley equalise v shitty
Cov 2 all now home to posh

Time to bring Beeker on for Williams to liven it up at the front.

Frank nouble now putting Coventry ahead

Deja vu :D

7,871 crowd  with 246 Col U fans there.

Good turn out.

Much better attendance

City losing.

Barnsley 2-1 Shitty :D

Barnsley now in front v shitty

Pox all square now

Sounded close from Byrne.

City equalise and Preston take the lead...

Cleared off the line. Not gonna be our day.

Doesnt sound like its gonna be our day, several chances but can't convert them.

Opposition keeper having the game of his life (again). Getting no fucking luck of late.

Damn over excited commentator.

Brum 7 nil down at home to muff  :eek:
Carlisle take lead v pox

Don't think Malcolm Crosby will be getting that job full-time.

8 nil now

Every time they play a long ball over the top we sound like we're in trouble. Slightly alarming.

Meh, shit result but we didn't lose 8-0 like some I suppose.

Rubbish result. 1 point from Rochdale and Colchester at home is poor, especially with Preston, Franchise, P'boro and B City to come.

Sounded 2 points dropped more than 1 gained.

About those defensive mistakes from half time...

Their second looked a long way offside mind from the stands and the players weren't pleased. Dominant in play but we looked shaky against basic punts forward.

Louis made a magnificent tackle late on as last man when their guy was clean through, could easily have been 2-3 and a red (it was a lot like Nate's red at Luton which was a perfectly good tackle.

We should be winning these games, especially with a tough month coming up. If we had a win from our 2 games in hand though we'd be in 3rd/4th so we're still in a pretty good position.

Listening to Sam Parking on radio
"Balls over the top troubled today"

Rochdale did the same so looks like the defence has been found out.
Let's hope with Nathan back Tuesday we can turn this around

As posted above one point from last two home games is a poor return

Shows how we miss Nathan I guess.

Cooper back to his old ways.
Twice Three times now used " three 19 yr old centre backs " and " young players " on a few occasions. Thought he had moved on from that

Bald linesman was embarrassingly bad.

Five points dropped and five goals conceded at home is not good enough irrelevant of whether we were missing Nathan Thompson.  With a squad of our size, we're always likely to have a player missing through suspension or injury.  If Cooper is blaming it on youngsters, then get some experience in on loan?  Maybe after such a good start my expectations are now too high, but it's been a disappointing week imo.

The equaliser looked blatantly offside, even the ref looked across to the linesman expecting the flag to be up.  Even so, we got caught out a number of times today and could have lost it at the end but for a last gasp challenge from Louis Thompson, although I don't actually remember Wes having a proper save to make all game.

Another frustrating home game. We are far too easy to play against at the back at the moment. Ping it in behind and we are all over the place.

First 30 minutes was boring as hell but a nice finish by smith after a great pull back by Bell, and we go into the break 1-0 up. Second half game plan goes to pieces as they score from a breakaway badly defended but smith immediately puts us back in front with another neat finish after good work by Byrne (I think). After that it was jim Rose's circus time as 2 attempted passed by Wes were nearly intercepted and then catastrophic defending led to an equaliser.

After that we picked up a bit and Smith should have completed his hat trick only to be denied by a goal line block. Colchester created little the whole game and we really need to sort things out at the back as we are dropping points to teams we really shouldn't be.

Toffolo followed up the left back tradition at Swindon by hitting his first cross into the town end but did little wrong after. Bell I'm still unsure of but got another assist.
Despite his 2 goals Luongo was man of the match by a country mile.
Had Obika been on the same page he'd have been through twice onto lovely passes. Byrne below par,
Possibly because their left back was decent. Their number 4 was a rock at the back but overall Colchester didn't impress me.

Onto Chesterfield Tuesday, we need to really be better at the back or we could be onto a few thrashings looking at the fixtures!

Colchester were crap but didn't need to be anything else against a fucking awful Town defence. Everything ColU had was provided by us. They hit the ball long and chased and our defence did the rest. We've scored 4 goals in 2 home matches and got 1 point. Even if the 2nd goal was offside our defence still had plenty of chances to clear the fucking thing. Really disappointed with them today.
Our defence has really been dogshit the last 2 games. Hopefully Nathan can come back and sort it out................and stay on the fucking pitch.
 

crap game. we cleared one of the line then we went ahead against the run of play, they had a shout for apen and scored a non goal. things have a tendency to equal out.
2 points from 9 probably suggests this is a wobble or worse, we have been found out at about the same time as last season.
fuck.

Cooper obviously saw a different game to me!!  We were not very good in all honesty and I thought for the whole of the second half the only way we were going to create anything was by Byrne and Luongo bursting into the box.  Looked worse after the substitution of Obika for Williams.  No good complaining about three 19 year-olds at the back, we always knew we were light at the back and nothing was done about it!  Don't think Col. would have found it so easy if Troy was playing - always assuming he would have been fit!!

They should have had a pen in the 2nd half I reckon. Looked nailed on Louis tripping their fella.

Don't know if our defending was shambolic or just comical - whatever, it was fucking awful.

Agree about Luongo, he was fantastic, especially 2nd half.

Nice to see the Yasser Kasim fan club with their Iraqi flag - about a dozen of them.

All in all it was pretty much a replica of Tuesday's game

 Don't forget that at the start of the season, many good judges thought we might struggle a bit, mainly because of lack of experience....we had a decent start, but it is very difficult if not impossible to keep that sort of thing going with a small squad.  We've seen already what injuries and suspensions can do.

So in that context we're still doing OK.....

We seem to concede everytime the ball goes in our penalty area, love to see stats on it but wes doesnt seem to have to make many saves and yet we concede plenty.

Every goal we concede is way too easy

Reminds me

Was waiting outside at Plymouth and two kiddies pitched up one carrying flowers.
We got chatting, they were there for Kasim and didn't support either team.
They looked a bit glum once I told them he wasn't even in the country let alone playing.

He does attract a following

That goal was so offside it's shocking. Awful linesman, terrible referee and our defence looked as useful as a marzipan dildo whenever the ball came over the top.

Bell doesn't appear to have any idea in regards to a) what he is doing b) where is he going c) what everyone else is doing d) where everyone else is going. Toffolo was a little better but has a stupid name and a shit haircut and looks like Skeletor.

We should not shoot from outside of the box because we're hopeless at it.

Cooper is right. Young players will make mistakes. Deal with it.

After 13 games last season we had 20 points from 6 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses. This season after 13 games we have 23 points from 6 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses. And we've lost 1 league game in 10.

Not a wobble.

I have been wondering that if we are compelled to have loan defenders why do they have to be young, inexperienced players.

Why not try a more experienced loanee

Wingbacks were too far forwards when they didn't have the ball. Their only option was to cut in and be less effective. When we got behind them we looked dangerous as smithy proved with his two goals from cut backs.

i thought williams was poor, he did a bit of closing down, but his lack of first touch was apparent.

because they're cheaper?

also, i admire confidence on the ball, but Wes passing to Yasser when he had four men around him definitely deserved us conceeding the second goal, regardless of how offside it should have been

And as the game wore on and we occasionally launched it, both Obika and Smith won their headers.

Not advocating it, but the option is there.

Like to see Brad Smith back although I still think Bell has something about him.

Win at Chesterfield and we're right back in it

it would've been a great tactic if they weren't on opposite sides of the field, and stood next to a wingback when jumping!

last seasons defence included experience of Ward, Jay and eventually Troy. This seasons is basically a premiership under under 21 sides. Unsurprisingly we are getting found out. But shit blind balding linesman don't help with that. Neither does the ever unpredictable and currently injured Rossi Branco  being our only permanent central defender.

That slow ponderous build-up from Wes was painful at times, and cost us a goal!  Never mind, onward and upward.

Right, I might show up my ignorance here but I'm too old to care very much.  I don't like three at the back, which I've seen since returning to watch STFC this season after missing a few years. I love the football we play, best ever in my opinion, but every week long balls over our midfield are not dealt with well, are always very dangerous, and leave one on one quite often. Especially with the youth and inexperience of our CBs . 
Is there any conclusive reason why 4-4-2, as in days of old, would not work with this set of players?  IMO  we have three or four very good strikers, and six or seven very good or excellent midfielders who can pass very well and tackle well.   No problems there, and plenty of scoring potential.

A back four should be able to reduce the flank attacks and allow the two centre backs to help each other more. I would think we have the personnel for that.  I suppose it might be more difficult to move it forward from the back, but like today it usually ends up with Fods hitting a long ball anyway to Smith or Byrne.  We have attacked well in all the home games whichever way we did it, short or long. 

I know there is much greater knowledge than mine on here, and would like your opinions please.

Stick to 3 at the back. This week hasn't been good but this season has. Keep the faith. With Nathan back and Branco fit things will get better.

We badly need an experienced head at the back. Whilst I rate N Thompson and Branco- I feel this would complete the jigsaw as it is needed not only for games like today but also to keep cool heads. We have seen from the last 2 games we cannot be without key players due to sending offs and bookings.

Has everyone forgot that experienced players make mistakes as well?

Yes course they do- it is the human DNA.

I just think that we need at least 1 experienced head in the back 3/4.

Haven't read back yet.

Disappointed with today's result...unlike Rochdale it was there for the taking.

Still.....woulda coulda shoulda.....

It's October end and we have lost two league matches.....that is excellent as far as I'm concerned.

First game I've got to this season and I went with son #1 in tow, enjoyed the game, however the stupid old man in seat 182 row P is a fucking moron, one of the "GET IT FORWARD!" crew, from about the 3rd minute onwards. Also kept smacking his rolled up programme on the end of aisle metal bar next to my head any time we missed a good opportunity. Little'un enjoyed it, he's currently on a undefeated streak when watching town, won one, drew one. 2 points a game average is promotion material...

^

oh balls, i'm not sure the equaliser was offside

Looks like he was juuuuuuuuuuuuuust played onside. Still, both were shit goals to concede,!

Actually think we miss Rossi Branco. Wins a lot of ball in the air and quick to deal with counter attack. Nathan T a big miss too, especially with not being able to have Louis in cm.

For the second goal when the ball went across the lad who had the fresh air shot looked a mile offside, Massey wasn't though unfortunately.

Yesterday I was convinced they were offside, just shows you it's not always so clear!

Someone mentioned about our idiot fans. We have one up at the back of the DRS who drives me mad with his rantings. Yesterday the ref was writing in his book to give the Colchester player a yellow card and he shouts out 'BOOK HIM REF'. What did he think the ref was doing, plank!

It does look like Bell played the airshot bloke on side, although he definitely touched it with his arse. Considering they should have had a penalty towards the end as well, we're probably a bit fortunate after all...

Bell's a bit like The Emperor's New Clothes for me; some people see something in him, but I'm fucked if I can.

He has literally no idea what he is doing at any given time. I think that sometimes works to his advantage because the opposition are as confused as everyone else.

Trouble was yesterday that Reeves  didn't know Bell was doing which meant they never really got anything going.  In contrast to Mass and Byrne which means we tend to prefer to use that right side and then become predictable.

He looks like he's got some talent but can't quite put it together. He got into a lot of good positions but the final ball was generally poor. Both he and Toffolo looked unwilling to run at their full back, so perhaps that was managerial instruction rather than lack of confidence?

It's not that he didn't run at the defender, Bell never looked to pass it forward either his first thought was backwards and it was from one of his wayward passes that their first goal came..  I can't believe Coops would tell one wingback not to take on the defence when the other does nothing else.

I think he pants and Reeves should play there on Tuesday

Reeves at lwb is a waste, he wouldnt be a threat as he isnt a wide player. Would it not be worth giving barthram a try? Maybe byrne on the left cutting in and barthram out right.

I'm not sure why we kept Bartram to be honest.  He's never used and could have freed up a wage.

Has shown flashes of being OK when had the chance ( jpt )
Cooper obv thinks something worth persevering with to keep him

Bartram looks a bit of a liability to me, too small and not blessed with pace as Byrne is. Think he'll go end of this season.

Saw the highlights and Smith should have had 4 goals. We kept getting in behind Colchester and really should have been out of sight. Luongo also had 2 half chances he created himself which their keeper saved.

We weren't great by any stretch but realistically we could have had 6 on Saturday.

Not forgetting Byrne's run and toe poke that their GK did well to save

7. We could have had 7!

Also I saw that Swindon born George Moncur (John Moncur's son) was playing on Saturday for Colchester. Can't remember if he was any good though.