U’s vs Ipswich

If local rivals Ipswich Town leave Layer Road with all three points tomorrow the U’s two-year Championship stay will be over…

Vital Quotes:

U’s boss Geraint Williams told BBC Essex: ‘We know we haven’t given the fans enough.

‘So we want to make sure that we go out against Ipswich very positive, give a good performance and give them the win that we all want.

‘We’ve got to make sure that we do the old stadium some justice. There’s been some great moments here and perhaps we can squeeze one or two more out before the end of the season.’



Town manager Jim Magilton told The Colchester Gazette: ‘Geraint Williams has been very unlucky because some of their performances have been better than results suggest.

‘We know that from our game with them at Portman Road (in late October). Even so, I was very impressed with them and I have been every time I’ve seen them this season.

‘They play a very attacking brand of football – very much in the philosophy of their manager – and they’re always capable of scoring goals, either from midfield or from the likes of Clive Platt and Kevin Lisbie.

‘If they were to get relegated I’d be very sad because if we’re in the Championship we want them in there with us – it can only be a good thing for East Anglia.’

Colchester Team News:

Pat Baldwin (shoulder) and Clive Platt (back) are both set to miss out after picking up injuries against West Brom.

Youngster Medy Elito (calf) should be fit, but Teddy Sheringham (foot) and Matt Heath (calf) are still out.

Mark Yeates and Aiden Davison (both shoulder), along with Kevin Watson (calf) remain sidelined.

Player to watch: Kevin Lisbie

The ex-Charlton front-runner notched his 16th goal of the season for the rock-bottom U’s last weekend and will be looking to continue his goalscoring form.

Ipswich Team News:

Town hope to have David Norris (heel) and Shefki Kuqi (hamstring) available for the game at Layer Road.

While Pablo Counago (suspension) and Richard Naylor (neck), along with Jon Walters (knee) miss out.

Player to watch: Danny Haynes

The highly-rated youngster scored against the U’s earlier this season and will be looking to worry the U’s backline tomorrow.

Match Facts & Stats

The U’s have failed to keep a clean sheet since August and have the worst defensive record in the Championship.

Ref Watch:

Referee: Andy P D’Urso – From Essex.

Games: 36

Yellow Cards: 87

Red Cards: 5

Assistants: T Mason and M T McCoy

Fourth Official: A Slaughter

Match Prediction:

I’ll go for a 3-1 U’s win!

Next Fixtures:

The U’s travel to Leicester next weekend.