SO FAR, so unpredictable. Colchester United enjoyed a record win in an emotional derby win against Norwich on Saturday for the start of the 2008/9 League One season and now must prepare for the return of the club`s formally successful manager, Geraint Williams, tonight in the League Cup.
Two years ago today, the U`s were playing Sheffield United as Teddy Sheringham brought the curtain up on what eventually proved a hugely disappointing season – although it was one of Sheringham`s best games for Colchester, as he played superbly with little match fitness, the ex-England international was untimely an emblem of failed investment. The term ended with Colchester relegated a season later than everyone expected.
The previous, we know about: Williams steered Colchester to unprecedented Championship success in 2006, via a 5-1 win over ex-boss, Phil Parkinson as the U`s threatened to gatecrash the Premier League. Will the fate of a thrashing await him as he revisits an inform Colchester at home, with new club Leyton Orient, tonight?
Vital Quotes:
Baldwin: No Sentiments For Old Boy Williams
U`s defender, Pat Baldwin says in the Colchester Gazette: “George [Geraint] was at Colchester from when I started at the club. He is a fantastic coach and a fantastic man and it`ll be good to see him. But I`m a professional player and I want to win every single game.”
Williams: I enjoyed U`s Time, But Let`s Put Record Straight
Orient boss, Geraint Williams says in the Ilford Recorder: “I had 10 years at Colchester and left a lot of good people there. Some of them have since left, but it will be nice to see a few of the old faces. I’ve not got a good record in the Carling Cup either, so hopefully we can put that right.”
Colchester United Team News:
Colchester are still without crocked pair, defender Paul Reid and striker, Steven Gillespie for the medium-term.
The manager’s squad is big enough to rotate from the weekend’s side that won 7-1 against City.
The suggestion is that player-coach, midfielder Gary Holt, and fellow ball-winner Sam Corcoran could make full deubts tonight, while summer signing, foward Joel Thomas, could get his first start as for rotation victim, Clive Platt.
It remians to be seen if Lambert is prepared to make wholesale changes to his line-up, following such a convincing start to the season.
Player to watch: Scott Vernon
Vernon, a Williams signing, had a very good pre-season game against Aston Villa and scored a fair few goals. He also hit one from the bench at the weekend.
If he starts tonight, the former squad outcast will hope to continue his recently right form and show his manager why he should get a chance more often.
Leyton Orient Team News:
Jason Demetriou has been recalled from international duty with a view to facing the U’s, otherwise Orient have as full-a-roster to pick from as they did for the first round of fixtures at the weekend.
Player to watch: Jiommy Smith
Smith, just 22, is a bersatile player who was highly-ranked at former club, Chelsea; he is also in-form, having scored an impressive volley in the O’s 2-1 win at Bristol City on Saturday.
Last Time Out:-
Leyton Orient 2-1 Colchester
Venue: Brisbane Road
Orient: Jones, Purches, Mkandawire, Spence, Daniels, Melligan (Wayne Gray 66), Thornton, Terry, Smith (Boyd 82), McGleish, Church.
Subs Not Used: Morris, Saah, Cave-Brown.
Goals: Daniels 45, Smith 80.
Colchester: Gerken, Maybury, Baldwin, Trotman, Tierney, Gobern (Yeates 66), Izzet, Hammond, Hackney (Wordsworth 76), Platt, Vincent (Wasiu 69).
Subs Not Used: Cousins, Coyne.
Goal: Platt 43.
Att: 4,685
Match Prediction:
Matt_Us Match Prediction: U’s 2 – Orient 1
Next Fixtures:
Who? Yeovil Town
Where? Weston Homes Community Stadium.
When? 15/08/2009.
Ok, so we lost 2-1 and this prediction looks wrong now – i.e. the one in the build-up saying we might dish out a hammering. But you can’t balme me after the Norwich game! Back to earth with a bump here.