Scunthorpe vs U’s

Scunthorpe are the final opponents in what has been a disappointing campaign for the U’s.

Sunday’s match will see the Championship’s relegated bottom two come face-to-face.

The Iron have managed consecutive wins and will be looking to end on a high in front of their home fans. While the U’s will be looking to avenge the 1-0 home defeat to Nigel Adkins’ men.

Vital Quotes:

U’s boss Geraint Williams told My Football Writer: ‘Obviously pride-wise if we’d like to have been above Scunthorpe it would have been that little bit better, but if you ask them they might take that little bit of pride from not being bottom, but they’ll still be very disappointed at being relegated.

‘So it’s being outside the bottom three that counts, if you’re down there yes there’s that little bit of pride but the main thing is that you’ve been relegated – and that hurts.

‘What we want to do is go out, as we have and the players have done in every game, and give 100% and be the best we can be to try and win the game.

‘They had Ben May and Paul Hayes up front and they won away at Watford, so it just goes to show you have to be aware of what team they can put out and the individuals’ strengths.

‘Then when the team sheet is given in at 2pm, then you can confirm what you’ve already planned for.’

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins told The Colchester Gazette: ‘It’s a game I’m looking forward to.

‘Colchester are a very attacking side and score a lot of goals. They are big and strong and try to play football.’

Scunthorpe Team News:

The Iron are without Kevan Hurst (hamstring), so Matt Sparrow will come in.

Jim Goodwin (hamstring) and Curtis Weston (ankle) are struggling to make it.

Centre-back Andy Crosby (knee) is missing, along with top-scorer Martin Paterson (hernia).

Player to watch: Paul Hayes

Hayes got the winning goal against Watford last weekend, and will be looking to score once more. Volleyed home the only goal of the game when the two sides met in September.

Colchester Team News:

Matt Heath (groin) returns to the U’s squad after missing the last two games.

Meanwhile, Teddy Sheringham (foot) misses out. Celtic loanee Adam Virgo is also absent.

Luke Guttridge and full-back Danny Granville miss out on a return.

Player to watch: Kevin Lisbie

Lisbie has notched seventeen times for the U’s this season, and is currently sitting joint-fourth in the Championship scoring charts. The ex-Charlton man will be looking to end the season with a goal.

Match Facts & Stats

Last time out against The Iron:

29th September – Layer Road

U’s 0

Scunthorpe 1 (Hayes 41)

The U’s lined up: Gerken, Duguid, Baldwin, Virgo, Elokobi, Yeates, Izzet (Guttridge 71), McLeod (Guy 58), Jackson, Lisbie, Platt.

Attendance: 5,218

Ref Watch:

Referee: Russell J Booth – From Nottinghamshire.

Games: 12

Yellow Cards: 23

Red Cards: 0

Assistants: W Barratt and S J Rushton

Fourth Official: P Bramley

Match Prediction:

I’ll go for a 2-1 U’s win!