Colchester 0 – Scunthorpe 1

Colchester’s lack lustre home display failed to inspire as the Iron stole the points with a great individual goal by Hayes.

‘Inspirational’ is one word used to describe Colchester’s first season in the Championship by visiting manager Nigel Adkins prior to today’s fixture at Layer Road. Indeed his young Iron side reminded me of our first season in this division, no fear, working for each other and putting there bodies in the firing line for the cause. Shame the hosts had failed to replicate this.

Although I was not particularly impressed with their football, I have got to hand it to the Iron they worked very hard for each other and were very well organised.

Whilst even at an early stage of today’s contest you could see that the U’s were a shadow of the side that had taken former premiership Charlton apart stage by stage two weeks prior.

The week leading up to this game had seen The Gaffa along with Central Defender Pat Baldwin stating that should we wish to better our first season finish we really need to tighten in defence and to be fair I think we did, we needed too as the Iron Grew into the game the back four were going through alot of work to keep the lively Forte & Taylor at bay.

It seems to me that the way we would like to play is down the wings with the odd ‘Get Out Of Jail Ball’ played over the top to the more than capable Platt who incidentley in my opinion out shone his team mates today, just a shame that the lathargic Lisbie could not read his knock downs.

Problem was that The Iron were controlling the midfield, Izzet tried to break up play with his usual workrate running all over the show (and failing), Jackson was just not bringing the ball under control enough times to bring others into play, this then allows the opposing midfield to pressurize our defence. The link up play of Veteran Teddy Sheringham was missing and it showed!

The problem is when the midfield has NO foothold in the game with the way we play, panic sets in and we seem to tend to lump it forward to Platt who will win 90% of the balls, shame that his strike partner could not be bothered or just could not read the second balls.

The Iron did however score just before half time with what was a great individual effort from Hayes who had enough time to Juggle the ball over the defender and rifle his shot down low to Gerkens left.

Those around me and after the match bemoaned the referee once again, yes he was poor and yes we should have had a penalty early on in the first half after Yeates had been bought down by Youga, and this of course may have seen a different game, but the fact of the matter is WE WERE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

I am hoping that Watson is back very soon as Jackson is just not cutting it as the play maker, Izzet needs a rest on Weds against QPR, a good time to give Gutteridge ago.

As for Scunthorpe? Their early position of 6th is great foundation for the first season in this Division if somewhat flattering I can see no reason why they will not be safe come May their spirit alone is worth half the points needed.

As for us? Lets hope that today’s display will serve as the kick up the backside so desperatley needed!

FULL TIME:

Colchester 0 – 1 Scunthorpe