The U`s go into tonight`s game on the back of four straight defeats, which has left them nine points from safety at the foot of The Coca Cola Championship table.
The Owls, who are also sitting in the relegation zone, travel down to North Essex on the back of a vital win against QPR.
Sheffield Wednesday are the first of three teams to visit Layer Road in seven days, so Geraint Williams will be hoping to get the three points tonight.
Vital Quotes:
U’s boss Geraint Williams told The Colchester Gazette: ‘Tonight is our biggest game of the season. Our season hinges on it and it’s a massive game for us.’
‘We have to have the same kind of attitude as we showed against Palace and put in a good performance.’
‘If we don’t win the game, then we will have given ourselves an awful lot to do.’ He admitted.
‘We haven’t won enough games and it’s getting late in the day now. But we’re confident of winning tonight and it’s another opportunity for us.’
Owls manager Brian Laws told The Sheffield Star: ‘The win over QPR was a massive one for us, particularly the way it happened, and if we can go on from there and win tonight then we can get some momentum at just the right time.’
‘It is a pivotal week for us, a big week, because were are facing two sides, Colchester and Coventry, who are in the fight with us.’
‘We want to get points from all the games, but it is important to pick up points from those around us. There is no-one for us to fear and we need to have that belief that we can get away from trouble.’ He added.
Colchester Team News:
The U`s are still without veteran striker Teddy Sheringham (foot), while Pat Baldwin (knee) is short of match fitness.
Long-serving captain Karl Duguid should feature after coming through Saturday`s defeat to Crystal Palace unscathed.
Goalkeeper Mark Cousins (appendicitis) is still unavailable, so Ademola Bankole should keep his place on the bench.
Long-term injury victims Mark Yeates and Aiden Davison (both shoulder) miss out, along with Jamie Guy (Achilles tendon).
Player to watch: Kevin Lisbie
Lisbie has notched two excellent goals in his last two games, after returning from injury. The Jamaican free transfer signing will be looking to add to his 12 goals for the club.
Sheff Wed Team News:
Wednesday boss Brian Laws could hand youngster Sean McAllister his first start of the season, after impressing as a substitute on Saturday.
Midfielders Adam Bolder and Jermaine Johnson both miss out through suspension.
While Ben Sahar and Lee Bullen (both hamstring) are also missing, along with Peter Gilbert (groin).
Francis Jeffers, Frank Simek and Akpo Sodje (all ankle) are unavailable and so is Etienne Esajas (foot).
Player to watch: Frank Songo’o
Songo’o, on loan from Portsmouth, put in an impressive debut display against QPR on Saturday. The lively midfielder will be looking to continue the same form.
Match Facts & Stats
The U’s will be looking for a first clean sheet since August.
Ref Watch:
Referee: K A Friend – From Leicestershire.
Games: 32
Yellow Cards: 78
Red Cards: 9
Assistants: O Saliy and G R Young
Fourth Official: D S Margetts
Match Prediction:
A narrow 3-2 U’s win! Hopefully!
Next Fixtures:
The U’s play host to Cardiff City on Saturday.
I will not be there, the players and management have let us all down!
Boooo Deeno, get behind your team, you need all the support you can get!! 2-1 to the mighty Owls!!
Agree WIEH. I have been annoyed with the performances, but at the end of the day i’m a Colchester fan and this is when they need the fans to back them the most.
Same. I don’t quite agree with Deeno. Wherever they may be – we are the famous CUFC!
Different people different views…
But Deeno was always a fan of Williams, I thought!
Well I am, for what he did last season!
The referee looks ok, a red every 1 in 4 roughly!
The last time he refereed us, we won 3-2 against West Brom in the Autumn…
I was/am a fan Of Williams, however it does not take a brain surgeon to figure out that the quick long ball over the top is not working, jeez it only took me a couple of matches Williams and the Players cannot seem to see it though, how long does it take for them to realise it does not work??? 2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10 months?
True that the U’s have been talking about “must-win” games since October, and the results have not come. The U’s have been long-ballish since Iwelumo days, and it worked then!
Well we just need to get it out wide and whip crosses into the box..
May be better than hoofs!!
Well i got the prediction right, but sounded an even game! We just took that extra chance to win it. Looks like you are doomed?
…. looks that way, although it not impossible… no, who am I kidding. It’s very sad how we will go down with the form we have had!
Certainly does, referee was poor!