AIDY BOOTHROYD’S first game as Colchester United manger takes him to the South Coast with a tough fixture against Southampton ahead.
Boothroyd has a impressive career record against the Saints and will be looking for an immediate impact from his new U’s side.
Despite Alan Pardew’s team sitting eight points adrift at the foot of League One – due to a hefty ten-points deduction – following last season’s relegation, they are sure to provide a tough test.
Vital Quotes:
Pre-Match Build-Up From Boothroyd To Follow…
Pardew: U’s + Aidy Are An Unknown Quantity
Saints chief Pardew said: ‘I`m not sure what I`m going to get.
‘Aidy will come in and I think throw a couple of his ideas into the team straightaway, so that`s going to be an unknown quantity to us.
‘I`m not sure where Aidy is at the moment in terms of the way he wants to play.’
Southampton Team News:
The Saints new signing Radhi Jaidi is likely to miss out – due to a work permit issue.
However, fellow new-boy Papa Waigo N’Diaye, a highly-rated forward, may feature.
Tricky winger Lee Holmes return to the fold, along with team-mate Joseph Mills.
Player to watch: Dean Hammond
After compounding the departure of boss Paul Lambert, by jumping ship to the U’s divisional rivals, Hammond will be looking to help his new team take three points against his former employers. Whats the betting he’ll score, then, hey?
Colchester United Team News:
Diminutive midfielder Kem Izzet faces a late fitness check on a back injury, picked up midweek, against Gillingham.
If he is deemed unfit, than loan signing John-Joe O’Toole is likely to partner David Fox in the centre-of-midfield, although Anthony Wordsworth impressed there on Tuesday night.
Defensive duo Marc Tierney and Pat Baldwin both missed the U’s JPT Cup clash but should return.
Knee-injury victims Paul Reid and Jamie Guy both miss out, after long lay-offs.
Right-sided full-back Lee Beevers (shoulder) is unavailable, along with striker Steven Gillespie (hamstring.)
Player to watch: The Starting XI
I was thinking Kevin Lisbie – after a lightening start to the campaign – John-Joe O’Toole – following a deadline-day loan move – or Anthony Wordsworth – who put in a fantastic performance during the JPT… But Its fair to say whoever boss Boothroyd picks in his first U’s starting line-up will be keen to impress – and in the process pin down a regular spot.
Match Facts & Stats
Colchester 1-1 Southampton
Layer Road
Colchester: Dean Gerken, Karl Duguid, Pat Baldwin, Adam Virgo (Bela Balogh,) Danny Granville, Mark Yeates, Luke Guttridge, Johnnie Jackson, Kevin McLeod, Clive Platt, Kevin Lisbie (Jamie Guy.)
Subs Not Used: Mark Cousins, Teddy Sheringham, Anthony Wordsworth.
Goals: Platt 47
Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Andrew Davies, Alan Bennett, Wayne Thomas, Jermaine Wright, Jhon Viafara (Adam Hammill,) Andrew Surman, Youssef Safri, Jason Euell, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Grzegorz Rasiak,) Stern John.
Subs Not Used: Bartosz Bialkowski, Darren Powell, Gregory Vignal.
Goals: Viafara 19
Attendance: 6,157
Referee: J Singh
Date: 26/12/2007
Ref Watch:
Referee: Graham D Scott – Oxfordshire
Assitants: P C Martin and N Radford
Fourth Official: A Davies
Match Prediction:
StevieG Col U’s prediction: I’ll go for a 2-0 U’s win!
Have you got a score prediction for the match? Let us know with a comment below, or chat about this article in the forum.
Next Fixtures:
Who? Swindon Town
Where? The County Ground
When? 12/09/2009
So what do you think?
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So, just sit back and watch the team, not any one player!
Well – yeah – that’s what I’d say. Cant wait! Up the U’s!
Same, should be fun!