Games are coming thick and fast in the league and we see our first mid-week away game with a long trip down to Colchester United. They have started the season with away draws at Notts County and Mansfield Town either side of a win at Vale Park as well as a defeat on penalties at Cheltenham Town in the EFL Cup.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 56 times with Colchester leading the head-to-head with 28 wins to 20 with 8 draws. Colchester’s biggest win came 2 seasons ago in the corresponding fixture as they won 4-0 whilst the Alex’s biggest win came in April 1993 with a 7-1 victory at the Alexandra Stadium. Last season saw both home teams win, the U’s winning 3-1 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium whilst Crewe won 1-0 at the Alexandra Stadium.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see Neil Hair as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Carl Fitch-Jackson and Paul Yates with Garry Maskell being the fourth official. As Hair is in his first-year as a Football League referee, neither team has been
I asked Colchester United supporter Simon Collison for his thoughts going into the game.
What do you think of Colchester’s transfer activity over the summer?
This summer has been one of our best in recent years. Nouble, Collins (on loan), Norris have all been strong additions to the squad, but the standout buy was Harry Pell. Settled in well and really improved the midfield.
What do you think the team will be for Tuesday’s game?
Tuesday’s game will have some changes from Saturday and I think will be Barnes, Kent, Prosser, Eastman, Collins, Jackson, Pell, Lapslie, Senior, Szmodics, Mandron
Who would you say is the one player that we should look for in the U’s team?
Player to look out for is number 7 Courtney Senior. Was the U’s young player of the season last season and has picked up where he left off. Great with the ball at his feet and his runs are class. He will I think be hard to keep hold of come the summer as will attract interest from other bigger clubs.
After a couple of seasons in the top-half since your relegation from League 1, could this be the season that Colchester break into the play-off picture or even get promoted?
This year we really need to step up a gear and get the league position this squad is capable of. Automatic promotion is the aim, anything other than playoffs will be a disappointment.
Who do you think will be promoted and relegated at the end of the season?
This league is very hard to call and always throws up a few surprises.
But going up will be Colchester, Lincoln, Notts County and one of Exeter or Mansfield
To drop Macclesfield and Newport
