[jack bauer]

so quick turn around to next game, colchester away, had a look, don't score many, don't concede many and had a recent upturn in form. On the "they don't score many" front, our biggy this season and for a while now has been keeping the ball out of our net, depleted in the defensive line and without the natural screen in midfield how do we approach this? are we capable of nicking a 1-0, 1-1 or 0-0? all of which would be ok away from home on current form or do we summon the spirit of last season and go all out attack, knowing we will most likely concede at least 1?

[lindave]

jack bauer, on 01 March 2025 - 11:01 PM, said:

so quick turn around to next game, colchester away, had a look, don't score many, don't concede many and had a recent upturn in form. On the "they don't score many" front, our biggy this season and for a while now has been keeping the ball out of our net, depleted in the defensive line and without the natural screen in midfield how do we approach this? are we capable of nicking a 1-0, 1-1 or 0-0? all of which would be ok away from home on current form or do we summon the spirit of last season and go all out attack, knowing we will most likely concede at least 1?

they are a team on a great run, defend like we did today and we could bet battered. Banks, Duffy and Fleck should be given a run, we are desperate for a fully fit Grigg to return. I'll be happy to come away with a 1=1 draw, but will the players be up for it. We have been terrible for about 6 away games, all the travelling fans ask on Tuesday is that whoever is selected, that they give 100 per cent to the shirt, that is all we ask. We've not had that for a while.

[jack bauer]

lindave, on 01 March 2025 - 11:13 PM, said:

they are a team on a great run, defend like we did today and we could bet battered. Banks, Duffy and Fleck should be given a run, we are desperate for a fully fit Grigg to return. I'll be happy to come away with a 1=1 draw, but will the players be up for it. We have been terrible for about 6 away games, all the travelling fans ask on Tuesday is that whoever is selected, that they give 100 per cent to the shirt, that is all we ask. We've not had that for a while.

away form shows 4 points from last 9 games, i like your point about players giving their all, but that surely should be a given (i know it isn't always), not sure why shecks was not in squad today but for one i'd play duffy ahead of olaginkbe, play as many of "our" players as we can? i'm just concerned about our ability to defend a a team and away from home you have to have that cohesion defensively.

[gordon_brittas]

We need at least a point to stop the rot. Away form has been a joke for a long time now. So many awful performances.

[Wooden Spoon]

Colchester are not a good side. They are ok, effective and efficient.


But they are an organised and well drilled direct side who look to get the forward quickly and directly. But it?s not hoof ball. More playing to get the ball into the opponent?s third and then playing percentages


A but like Crewe?s last goal and the chances they missed in the second half. Tippy tally on the half way line will play into a side like Colchester who hold a firm line, press but not too aggressively but look to get forward quickly and directly especially if they can exploit mistakes and get in behind.


Was talking last night to my mates, ones a coach with the kids, another has a lad who?s son is a first year scholar and that are thinking now that Cowley is starting to have success with the identity of the football through the club and the players staff and coaches are buying into it.


Interesting that they have for the youth and scholars been playing 3 at the back and apparently also tried this a bit more in the first team recently

[Misnomer]

 Wooden Spoon, on 02 March 2025 - 08:41 AM, said:

Colchester are not a good side. They are ok, effective and efficient.


But they are an organised and well drilled direct side who look to get the forward quickly and directly. But it?s not hoof ball. More playing to get the ball into the opponent?s third and then playing percentages


A but like Crewe?s last goal and the chances they missed in the second half. Tippy tally on the half way line will play into a side like Colchester who hold a firm line, press but not too aggressively but look to get forward quickly and directly especially if they can exploit mistakes and get in behind.


Was talking last night to my mates, ones a coach with the kids, another has a lad who?s son is a first year scholar and that are thinking now that Cowley is starting to have success with the identity of the football through the club and the players staff and coaches are buying into it.


Interesting that they have for the youth and scholars been playing 3 at the back and apparently also tried this a bit more in the first team recently

Just down the road from us; are you going?

[gordon_brittas]

You say Colchester are not a good side, neither are we.

[OneDecentLester]

This is a game I am not looking forward to in the slightest as we are in a very bad place on the pitch at the minute as we all know. It feels like Cook is scratching his head from game to game trying to find different ways to get this dysfunctional side that?s been thrown together mid season functioning and IMO the key to making that happen is getting the spine of our team right with real experience/quality down the centre.

That?s easier said than done at the moment with key players out, but I would try and get as close to that as possible on Tuesday, and therefore I?d go something like:

Boot
Sheckleford Palmer Naylor Sparkes
Mandeville Fleck
Duffy Banks Dobra
Madden

Grimes is done and needs to come out the team, his confidence is in tatters and therefore Naylor has to come back in whether he?s carrying a niggle or not. I thought Fleck looked a class above when he came on for 15 mins or so vs Crewe, and the time is now to throw him in from the start otherwise what?s the point. Mandeville will provide the legs and grit next to him. Duffy has to start, and I would give Banks a go in the 10 as his creativity could be key. Madden has been absolutely woeful this season but, as I said, now is the time for experience and I would start him down the middle over the inexperienced and raw Pepple, who I would save for the last 30 to put himself about.

Our away record since Boxing Day has been criminal (P6 D1 L5), and therefore would absolutely snap your hands off if offered a point right now to stop the rot. I?d then try and give this team (or whatever team he picks) a bit of a consistent run over the next few games to try and build some confidence to get ourselves back up, running & competitive again.

[Wooden Spoon]

Misnomer, on 02 March 2025 - 08:58 AM, said:

Just down the road from us; are you going?

Yeah

[diddyuk]

Wooden Spoon, on 02 March 2025 - 08:41 AM, said:

Colchester are not a good side. They are ok, effective and efficient.


But they are an organised and well drilled direct side who look to get the forward quickly and directly. But it?s not hoof ball. More playing to get the ball into the opponent?s third and then playing percentages


A but like Crewe?s last goal and the chances they missed in the second half. Tippy tally on the half way line will play into a side like Colchester who hold a firm line, press but not too aggressively but look to get forward quickly and directly especially if they can exploit mistakes and get in behind.


Was talking last night to my mates, ones a coach with the kids, another has a lad who?s son is a first year scholar and that are thinking now that Cowley is starting to have success with the identity of the football through the club and the players staff and coaches are buying into it.


Interesting that they have for the youth and scholars been playing 3 at the back and apparently also tried this a bit more in the first team recently

Interesting report and assessment do you see them play every week,has you know a lot about them

[Exharboroughspireite]

play 4141

Thompson
Sheck
Grimes
Naylor
Sparkes

Oldaker

Duffy (on the right)
Banks
Mandeville
Dobra

Pepple

I would also expect to see 30 mins from Fleck: time to start seeing the minutes.

[Goku]

Exharboroughspireite, on 03 March 2025 - 10:41 AM, said:

play 4141

Thompson
Sheck
Grimes
Naylor
Sparkes

Oldaker

Duffy (on the right)
Banks
Mandeville
Dobra

Pepple

I would also expect to see 30 mins from Fleck: time to start seeing the minutes.

You'd need Duffy on the left here and Dobra in the middle, which would mean somebody would have to come in to play on the right, presumably Olakigbe. In a 4-1-4-1 your dual 8's need to be able to get up and down and Banks can't do that (imo).

[dim view]

Goku, on 03 March 2025 - 10:48 AM, said:

You'd need Duffy on the left here and Dobra in the middle, which would mean somebody would have to come in to play on the right, presumably Olakigbe. In a 4-1-4-1 your dual 8's need to be able to get up and down and Banks can't do that (imo).

Clean sheets are the starting point.
The best way to achieve that is to get Naylor playing the strong defensive midfield role that we all know he is capable of. We've got to play other players at CH and stick him in CM. It's now stick or bust with Fleck and I'd start him alongside Naylor.

[Exharboroughspireite]

Goku, on 03 March 2025 - 10:48 AM, said:

You'd need Duffy on the left here and Dobra in the middle, which would mean somebody would have to come in to play on the right, presumably Olakigbe. In a 4-1-4-1 your dual 8's need to be able to get up and down and Banks can't do that (imo).

Yep can see where you are coming from with that. My concern is the young lad from Brentford hasn?t shown anything in terms of defensive capabilities so wanting him to sit out and be an impact player when game is stretched

[jack bauer]

dim view, on 03 March 2025 - 10:59 AM, said:

Clean sheets are the starting point.
The best way to achieve that is to get Naylor playing the strong defensive midfield role that we all know he is capable of. We've got to play other players at CH and stick him in CM. It's now stick or bust with Fleck and I'd start him alongside Naylor.

on the few ocassions this season that naylor has played CM he hasn't really done the sitting in role, he's been very advanced and more involved in the attacking play but unlike last season doesn't then seem to have the engine to get back on transition, if he could sit more especially away from home and break up play, screen the defence then yep i'd play him there. Also wonder whether or not tomorrow you start mandy on the right instead of Olakigbe, again mandy will provide better defensive cover when needed and retain the ball better for us.

[dim view]

jack bauer, on 03 March 2025 - 11:25 AM, said:

on the few ocassions this season that naylor has played CM he hasn't really done the sitting in role, he's been very advanced and more involved in the attacking play but unlike last season doesn't then seem to have the engine to get back on transition, if he could sit more especially away from home and break up play, screen the defence then yep i'd play him there. Also wonder whether or not tomorrow you start mandy on the right instead of Olakigbe, again mandy will provide better defensive cover when needed and retain the ball better for us.

Yep.
One of Cook's fundamentals...........go back to basics when nowt's working.

[LondonBlue]

Boot
Mandy Palmer Grimes Sparkes
Naylor
Olakigbe Dobra Banks Duffy
Pepple

Tough away game and would take a point now.

If we went 5 at the back - I?d go:
Boot
Mandy Naylor Palmer Grimes Sparkes
Dobra Banks Duffy
Pepple Madden

This post has been edited by LondonBlue: 03 March 2025 - 12:28 PM

[Trigger]

Colchester pitch looked like the beach a few weeks ago. Might be another tough watch

[lindave]

Goku, on 03 March 2025 - 10:48 AM, said:

You'd need Duffy on the left here and Dobra in the middle, which would mean somebody would have to come in to play on the right, presumably Olakigbe. In a 4-1-4-1 your dual 8's need to be able to get up and down and Banks can't do that (imo).

Booot.

shecks, Grimes, Palmer, Sparkes.

Manderville. Naylor.Banks. Duffy.

Dobra.


Pepple.

sub: Thommo, Mike.O, Madden, DJ, Drummond.

1-1, but if we go at them and play our top game, 2-0 Town

[DIFH]

lindave, on 03 March 2025 - 06:41 PM, said:

Booot.

shecks, Grimes, Palmer, Sparkes.

Manderville. Naylor.Banks. Duffy.

Dobra.


Pepple.

sub: Thommo, Mike.O, Madden, DJ, Drummond.

1-1, but if we go at them and play our top game, 2-0 Town

He?ll rest Mandy and Naylor again. (Bench)

This post has been edited by DIFH: 03 March 2025 - 06:59 PM