We were woeful. If you dont force a save from the keeper in 90mins you get whay you deserve. Nowt.
For me, tonight should have seen the startimg XI rotated. We looked leggy at Bournemouth and werent at it tonight.
Ho hum.
We drew tonight because KC played a 2nd string back 4 (none of the 1st choice) and half the midfield. He rested players in readiness for you on Saturday! Not sure we'll have enough to beat you as I expect you to come out of the traps strong after tonight, but I expect us to have a go!
I'm not convinced about our substitutions at the moment, having 4 strikers on the pitch didn't make us look any more dangerous, as we then had even less midfield to control the game, and had taken off the 2 guys who take our set pieces, and who would be the main provider of crosses.
Well ladies and gents, we were due a bit of bad luck and we've had it tonight. Colchester created nothing at all and came away with a 2-0. We played some of the best football I've seen us play this season, particularly in the first half but we were just a bit poor in front of goal and that cost us. Jackson hit the bar, BWP had some chances, Hollands could have scored, the list goes on. Colchester were wise with their defending, giving us less time on the ball to cross than we like and we didnt adapt well. On top of that, when you throw yourself in front of a shot you're relying on luck and they got it in spades, with everything hitting them. It even worked for them in front of our goal tonight. Don't know what went on with the pitch tonight but our lads were slipping everywhere, including Kerms in the box which was hugely unlucky. Very miffed when the ref allowed play to go on when their bloke went down in the box but blew his whistle just as we put the ball in the net. Seemed he wouldn't have blown if it had gone out, but I'm afraid that just doesn't add up for me. Poor refereeing there.
I'm loathed to blame Hamer for their second as that was just a bit of bad luck all told, but I felt he set off late for their first which was definitely saveable. Don't know if it was to do with him struggling to take off on his ankle or it being too early in the game but it was disappointing. Either way though, the fact is the team should have bailed him out with the amount of chances we created.
The ref had a bit of an on/off tonight. Thought he dealt well with their bully tactics at times but allowed them too much slack on the play-acting front. Colchester must be the biggest load of namby-pambies we've come across this season. Throwing themselves down and staying down after innocuous challenges and they jumping right back up. Even Kem Izzet got embarrassed by their 25 and dragged him off the ground when he tried to go all Kenneth Brannagh at the end. Wordsworth and Magnus were excellent, but it's a shame the rest of the side embarrassed themselves with their antics. As for our side, I'm beginning to get a bit weary of Stephens. He's only young which is good but he sits too deep to be an effective creative midfielder and he's not dogged enough to defend effectively. As a result he just goes missing really, with the odd beautiful pass which isn't enough for a whole game.
I'm not normally one to knock our fans but the only real low part of my night was the absolute tool sat behind me tonight. Young bloke spent the entire game moaning without pause. 'Bloody Wright-Phillips, he's just there to pick up his wage and nothing else'. Apparently 18 goals isn't enough. Moaned about how Hamer has 'been doing this all season' after that unfortunate clearance, and exclaimed 'why do we even bother' at half time. Considering we actually did alright it really tired me out having to listen to that. Oh well, hopefully we'll kick on for County
Pretty much how I saw it, although I thought Colchester did play some decent stuff amidst the mix of timewasting and play acting we're getting used to at The Valley.
standard midweek home game , lame atmosphere that is hardly gonna inspire the team but then that's how it's been for a while
thought we played ok without any real threat on goal , couple of shots at the keeper apart
that is our best starting 11 but they do look tired
unlike others i don't think anyone from our squad will improve that team , maybe russell in for hollands who i think is slowing down would be my one change
i thought stephens done ok today
we've had the rub of the green (not danny) for a while and it wouldn't surprise me if we have some more games like that where we don't get what we deserve and we did deserve a point tonight
a great worldy from wordsworth for their first but a complete cock up by hamer fannying for their second
i'm not as excited about hamers distribution as most on here , he can't throw it overarm properly and that is a decent part of the keepers armour that he is missing
wasn't able to make the game, but reading this thread quite a few are saying that although we lost, that we played better than at bournemouth but comparing the player's marks, tonights scoring is much lower.
2 away games in a week and an unchanged starting line-up and the cracks showed, mainly in mid-field. Saturday's game will be something to get their teeth into and I am confident they will rise to the challenge with some lessons learned tonight. With the Blades losing, no harm done.
If there was any complacency in the team or amongst the fans then hopefully tonight's result will have removed that. We still have a way to go before reaching promotion, which I believe we will attain, but the team will still have to work extremely hard to get there. It's not on a platter for us and SCP knows this all too well. I trust him to pick the right team with the correct mental attitude for Saturday. Champions have a strong mental toughness and I think this team has it.
Tonight was our blip, and as many have already posted on here all would have given their right arm at the start of the season to be in the position we are right now. Let's put this result behind us and get on with the job of promotion starting again on Saturday.
Typical mid week game at The Valley were we struggle, atmosphere was actually a little better than previous home mid week games though but the attendance was poor.
Saying that I thought we played pretty well tonight, put the ball in decent positions but it didn't fall in the right place and Col score a wonder goal and from Hamer's mistake. Think we played better tonight than we did against Bury/Rochdale and MK which were also mid week slugfests.
Not much to complain about for me really, we played well but just couldn't score, there's been games this season where we've won playing alot worse but 13 clear and one less game for teams to catch us, just hope we put this result behind us and really push on like the other 2 defeats did for us this season.
I said to my old man before the game that if we conceded first tonight, we'd be in trouble. Unfortunately I was right.
Just one of those games tonight I suppose, we've played a lot worse this season and won. Am naturally a little deflated but trying not to get too down about the result as it's only the third time I've had to feel like this all season.
As some of you have mentioned, I have also been very disappointed with Danny Green. Definitely worth giving Haynes a go down the right and I'd also bring in Russle for Stephens as he really hasn't been doing it for me lately.
Also, I really wish Bradley would look at where the ball is going when making his runs sometimes. Guess it must have something to do with his peanut head.
Nothing to add apart from Boo. There were none, but perhaps this will give someone the opportunity to start/continue a thread about Booing. Hope this helps.
Thought we played ok and created a few chances especially in the first half, the second goal seemed to deflate us and legs looked tired towards the end. I am not overly concerned and it was a bit much to expect we wouldnt loose another game this season. back to business Saturday, shame more not there tonight but we have had a lot of games recently especially midweek and its not easy for everyone to get to these games as it is for many of us on here.
Substitutions didn't seem to lift us at all which was a little bit of a concern, Sheff Utd and MKD results useful, Hudds rode their luck by all accounts as well, before christmas the whole top six would have won tonight but the games are running out and the long season is taking its toll on everyone not just us, tired now so off to bed
My take on tonight is thus.............we still need a creative midfielder & someone who can run at defences, Best player tonight for that was Solly, a right back - the run and crossfield ball to JJ in the first half was sublime...........get a midfielder 20 yards further up the pitch doing that & we might create some problems. We had plenty of efforts at goal tonight but didn't work their keeper enough.
Also, why bring on striker after striker & then take off their supply line ??? If Green goes off then Waggy needs to come on. At the end we had 4 strikers on the pitch, but 2 of them (Haynes & Kermy) kept going out wide to get the ball. We deffo need a plan B !!
Not overly dissapointed - have to lose sometime. Just hope its a blip and we get back to winning ways on Saturday. I expect us to go up with around 100 points but the last couple of games show where we need to strengthen in the summer.
As ever, the first goal is often pivotal and it gave them something to hang on to. I thought we were good in the first half and early in the second and it was hard not to see us getting back on terms. However, the longer the game went on, the greater the concern that it was going to be one of those nights and the freakish second goal really knocked the stuffing out of us. At that point, it was effectively game over.
Colchester defended well in terms of getting bodies in the way, to the point where their keeper didn't really have to make a save of real note. Indeed, it's the first time in a while that Yann hasn't had it all his own way. The big lad, Odejayi, also did well for Colchester up front in terms of holding up the play. However, if we played them 10 times, I'd expect to win 7 or 8.
We've not had much of a return from these cold, sparsely attended Tuesday night games ( a disappointing crowd tonight ) but at least we have only one more to go - the mighty Yeovil, conquerers of MK Dons.
A pity about losing the unbeaten home record but it's a hell of an ask to go unbeaten over 23 games and I don't think we've ever managed to do it over an entire season. It was, therefore, always likely to happen at some stage and the fact remains that another dozen points will see us promoted, almost certainly as champions.
Bad night at the office but at least we can afford it in our current position. Yet again we struggle in a midweek game against middle/lower table opposition. Good job we only have one such game left - Yeovil. Like a few people hard to understand why we find it so hard to attract a crowd considering our position. Only half of those that were at the Stevenage game turning up.
Nothing to add apart from Boo. There were none, but perhaps this will give someone the opportunity to start/continue a thread about Booing. Hope this helps.
Thought Col U closed down really well tonight and looking at their back four that were enormous found out the plan up top to the Kerm. When we played it on the deck we were really dangerous going forward, couldn't understand why we kept playing into their hands and lumping it up. Oh well Ho Hum you lose some, but let's not make it a habit, and gotta say fuck these Tuesday night games, starting to give me the hump!!
As ever, the first goal is often pivotal and it gave them something to hang on to. I thought we were good in the first half and early in the second and it was hard not to see us getting back on terms. However, the longer the game went on, the greater the concern that it was going to be one of those nights and the freakish second goal really knocked the stuffing out of us. At that point, it was effectively game over.
Colchester defended well in terms of getting bodies in the way, to the point where their keeper didn't really have to make a save of real note. Indeed, it's the first time in a while that Yann hasn't had it all his own way. The big lad, Odejayi, also did well for Colchester up front in terms of holding up
I took a mate with me who said that Odejayi was the biggest waste of space he had seen, I happen to agree with him. Thought he was terrible!
Really not happy with all this Danny Green slating. Wagstaff is a decent player with energy and enthusiasm who usually makes a good impact off the bench. I can see Danny Haynes being a similar sort of player. Not too sure if he could play the way he does all the way through 90 minutes.
Green had an absolute blinder against Chesterfield and also played a big part in the goal at Bournemouth. That sort of '1 in 100' quality (which is a ridiculous exagerration) is what wins games more often than not.
All in all it was a very strange game. A bit confused how we managed to lose it 2-0 really considering we did make some good chances for ourselves, especially in the first half.
Solly's build up play and pass for the Jackson shot that hit the bar was brilliant. The build up for Holland's chance that went past the post was great as well.
We've definitely played worse and lost. Oh well, if it means we go another two months unbeaten like we did last time then I think we will all be very happy and will most certainly have a new addition to the trophy cabinet.
Excellent goal from Colchester early doors and then nothing to concern us for the rest of the game really other than self-inflicted problems. Green was poor first half. Livened up a bit second half but not doing enough for me to keep his place. Stephens/Hollands combo in middle not doing it for me either.
Would like to see a few changes on Saturday to show the players that they can't get complacent and their places are not guaranteed just because they've got us where we are. We need to maintain our form for the whole season or at very least until we are guaranteed promotion.
Excellent goal from Colchester early doors and then nothing to concern us for the rest of the game really other than self-inflicted problems. Green was poor first half. Livened up a bit second half but not doing enough for me to keep his place. Stephens/Hollands combo in middle not doing it for me either.
Would like to see a few changes on Saturday to show the players that they can't get complacent and their places are not guaranteed just because they've got us where we are. We need to maintain our form for the whole season or at very least until we are guaranteed promotion.
We got what we deserved tonight. Powell effectively waited till we were 2-0 down prior to Haynes substitution on 75. Game over by then. No point in having fresh legs on the bench if you're not going to use them. 15 minuites here and there waste of time.
The starting 11 had played 3 games in 7 days. Now is the perfect time to give Haynes, Clarke, Russell a chance to step up to the mark. Hollands has looked tired for the past couple of weeks. Hardly surprising since he's featured from day one.
Last saturday was daylight robbery. We are getting promoted so now is the time for Powell to use his squad. JJ just back from injury and again forced to play 3 in 7. Powell will now be considering his options for next season.
their first goal was superb and i had to applaud it. second goal was a mistake by hamer but he was bound to get caught at some point as he seemed to be our main play-maker. he had the ball more often than any of our midfield. Stephens and hollands are to similar. neither of them are attacking enough and they are a bit one paced. they were caught out too often by the opposing midfield. those two can be good together away but at home when we have to be in the ascendancy they can struggle. doesn't help that they are a little tired from the amount of games they have played.
solly was our attacking threat. someone running towards their defence. no other player further forward can do this because they don't have the pace.
we have this under 18 side with what seems to be some capable strikers...so why is clarke on the bench?
kermorgant has to get a mention for his persistent arguing and ironic applause to ref and linesman. he even started waving at the ref in a very camp and frenchy way. got away with it though.
it was a poor game which needed a bit of pace to open it up. a slight blip. a bad day at the office. maybe a couple of changes to get the ones feeling the back of their legs to much a rest.
Let's face it, we're not going to win every game and today just wasn't our day. I listened to it on Player and it sounded like we just didn't get the rub of the green. It happens. On another day we would have won this. So, onwards and upwards. Notts County next.
nothing much to add to what's been written, green doesn't like taking on his man, thought he should of hit the byline more, he crossed to early on a few occasions when he didn't have a lot too aim for. solly, again I think he is a magic player for us, such composer for a young player. we played some lovely football at times, so that was good to see after Bournemouth. met a couple more fellas tonight, bumped into the boys I was drinking with in Bournemouth and watched the whole game standing up! really enjoyed my night down the valley, shame we never won but sods law it would happen!
Comments
thought we played ok without any real threat on goal , couple of shots at the keeper apart
that is our best starting 11 but they do look tired
unlike others i don't think anyone from our squad will improve that team , maybe russell in for hollands who i think is slowing down would be my one change
i thought stephens done ok today
we've had the rub of the green (not danny) for a while and it wouldn't surprise me if we have some more games like that where we don't get what we deserve and we did deserve a point tonight
95% champions 5% runners up
i'm not as excited about hamers distribution as most on here , he can't throw it overarm properly and that is a decent part of the keepers armour that he is missing
what's the truth?
Tonight was our blip, and as many have already posted on here all would have given their right arm at the start of the season to be in the position we are right now. Let's put this result behind us and get on with the job of promotion starting again on Saturday.
Saying that I thought we played pretty well tonight, put the ball in decent positions but it didn't fall in the right place and Col score a wonder goal and from Hamer's mistake. Think we played better tonight than we did against Bury/Rochdale and MK which were also mid week slugfests.
Not much to complain about for me really, we played well but just couldn't score, there's been games this season where we've won playing alot worse but 13 clear and one less game for teams to catch us, just hope we put this result behind us and really push on like the other 2 defeats did for us this season.
Just one of those games tonight I suppose, we've played a lot worse this season and won. Am naturally a little deflated but trying not to get too down about the result as it's only the third time I've had to feel like this all season.
As some of you have mentioned, I have also been very disappointed with Danny Green. Definitely worth giving Haynes a go down the right and I'd also bring in Russle for Stephens as he really hasn't been doing it for me lately.
Also, I really wish Bradley would look at where the ball is going when making his runs sometimes. Guess it must have something to do with his peanut head.
There were none, but perhaps this will give someone the opportunity to start/continue a thread about Booing.
Hope this helps.
Substitutions didn't seem to lift us at all which was a little bit of a concern, Sheff Utd and MKD results useful, Hudds rode their luck by all accounts as well, before christmas the whole top six would have won tonight but the games are running out and the long season is taking its toll on everyone not just us, tired now so off to bed
Also, why bring on striker after striker & then take off their supply line ??? If Green goes off then Waggy needs to come on. At the end we had 4 strikers on the pitch, but 2 of them (Haynes & Kermy) kept going out wide to get the ball. We deffo need a plan B !!
Not overly dissapointed - have to lose sometime. Just hope its a blip and we get back to winning ways on Saturday. I expect us to go up with around 100 points but the last couple of games show where we need to strengthen in the summer.
I missed the announcement somehow if indeed there was one.
Wednesday got 17,800 tonight at home.
Tuesday night league one games just won't attract people no matter what unless it's a game like the Hudders one.
Colchester defended well in terms of getting bodies in the way, to the point where their keeper didn't really have to make a save of real note. Indeed, it's the first time in a while that Yann hasn't had it all his own way. The big lad, Odejayi, also did well for Colchester up front in terms of holding up the play. However, if we played them 10 times, I'd expect to win 7 or 8.
We've not had much of a return from these cold, sparsely attended Tuesday night games ( a disappointing crowd tonight ) but at least we have only one more to go - the mighty Yeovil, conquerers of MK Dons.
A pity about losing the unbeaten home record but it's a hell of an ask to go unbeaten over 23 games and I don't think we've ever managed to do it over an entire season. It was, therefore, always likely to happen at some stage and the fact remains that another dozen points will see us promoted, almost certainly as champions.
Green had an absolute blinder against Chesterfield and also played a big part in the goal at Bournemouth. That sort of '1 in 100' quality (which is a ridiculous exagerration) is what wins games more often than not.
All in all it was a very strange game. A bit confused how we managed to lose it 2-0 really considering we did make some good chances for ourselves, especially in the first half.
Solly's build up play and pass for the Jackson shot that hit the bar was brilliant. The build up for Holland's chance that went past the post was great as well.
We've definitely played worse and lost. Oh well, if it means we go another two months unbeaten like we did last time then I think we will all be very happy and will most certainly have a new addition to the trophy cabinet.
I took a mate with me who said that Odejayi was the biggest waste of space he had seen, I happen to agree with him. Thought he was terrible!
The starting 11 had played 3 games in 7 days. Now is the perfect time to give Haynes, Clarke, Russell a chance to step up to the mark. Hollands has looked tired for the past couple of weeks. Hardly surprising since he's featured from day one.
Last saturday was daylight robbery. We are getting promoted so now is the time for Powell to use his squad. JJ just back from injury and again forced to play 3 in 7. Powell will now be considering his options for next season.
on to the next!
COYR
their first goal was superb and i had to applaud it. second goal was a mistake by hamer but he was bound to get caught at some point as he seemed to be our main play-maker. he had the ball more often than any of our midfield.
Stephens and hollands are to similar. neither of them are attacking enough and they are a bit one paced. they were caught out too often by the opposing midfield. those two can be good together away but at home when we have to be in the ascendancy they can struggle. doesn't help that they are a little tired from the amount of games they have played.
solly was our attacking threat. someone running towards their defence. no other player further forward can do this because they don't have the pace.
we have this under 18 side with what seems to be some capable strikers...so why is clarke on the bench?
kermorgant has to get a mention for his persistent arguing and ironic applause to ref and linesman. he even started waving at the ref in a very camp and frenchy way. got away with it though.
it was a poor game which needed a bit of pace to open it up. a slight blip. a bad day at the office. maybe a couple of changes to get the ones feeling the back of their legs to much a rest.
really enjoyed my night down the valley, shame we never won but sods law it would happen!
love my club!