Colchester United (A) League 1 Saturday 15/11/08.

[tape66]

2-0

[adjisaddler]

walsall 2 colchester 0


YESSSSSSSSS

Fantastic

[Plastic Hawk]

Hmmmm Walsall up at half time, familiar scenario. Plenty of time to fall apart.*

*obviously I hope we don't.

This is going to be the test (for us and - even more so - for Colchester). I expected us to score first - we always seem to. Let's see whether or not their boss has the ability to make the necessary tactical changes (we know that Mullen won't be able to react if he does) and whether or not theit players have the self-belief to get themselves back in the game (the Colchester fan assured us that they would have).

And that is the frustrating thing.

True. But there are plenty of teams who don't have it about them to turn a game around - even when the opposition are incapable of changing tactics. Northampton were a good example the other week. And that's why we'll probably stay up (this season) even if we stick with Mullen (which we shouldn't). Scoring the first goal is enough to win plenty of games. Let's hope today's one of those.

Looks like it might be! 2-0 - Ricketts!!

Bet there's a few less people wanting him and Mattis dropped this evening!!

[Neuromantic]

Get in!!

[kh1959]

jimmy mullens barmy army

[Neuromantic]

I think this is why I am so frustrated with the footballing matters. When we play well, we can beat anyone on our day - because some of the players we have a la Ricketts and Hughes are quality.

[adjisaddler]

Im very happy now ... im feeling all the gloom lifted for a little while .Up the Saddlers

[Plastic Hawk]

I think this is why I am so frustrated with the footballing matters. When we play well, we can beat anyone on our day - because some of the players we have a la Ricketts and Hughes are quality.

It's all about management. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the quality of the players. How many points would we have if we'd won all the games we scored first in? I bet it'd be enough to put us into the top four. Certainly the top six (as we're going to stay five off them with a game in hand by the look of it).

[adjisaddler]

Plus what you just said plastic hawk about people wanting Mattis dropped .Well who just set up Ricketts .... Chris Palmer

[Plastic Hawk]

Plus what you just said plastic hawk about people wanting Mattis dropped .Well who just set up Ricketts .... Chris Palmer

Yeah. But it was a corner. There's no arguing that Palmer's a great set piece taker. Problem is that we have to play with only ten adequate players for the 88 minutes that we're not taking corners for. That's not usually a good trade off - especially as Taundry for one also takes a mean corner.

[1933]

Deenery off, Zaaboub on

[adjisaddler]

guess your right plastic

[adjisaddler]

looking good though .. they will be very welcome points as our next 3 games will be solid. Will ease some pressure on Mullen aswell

[adjisaddler]

Hughes off ..... Reich On

[Cheesebag]

dont want to tempt fate but pretty comfortable at the mo

[Maverick]

dont want to tempt fate but pretty comfortable at the mo

Well don't then.

[SWS1]

[1933]

Full Time - 2-0, clean sheet!

[adjisaddler]

yep im very happy wooooo

[Whitti Steve]

Good win - I bet that will mean a crowd of over 2000 for the next home game. Bonser breaths a sigh of relief for a few days. Well done the players for pulling their finger out.

[Plastic Hawk]

How many Saddlers are hoping for an heavy defeat , as long as Mullen is sacked straight after ?

No, definitely not hoping for that. If he was sacked then that'd be a silver lining, but I can't imagine ever wanting us to lose.

I actually think that we have a good chance on Saturday. We've been strong away from home and tend to start games well before fading out. Confidence at Colchester is fragile and I think that this is one of those games where if we do get into the lead then they won't have the self-belief to make a come back whatever the shortcomings of our tactics.

Just thought i'd comment on this particular post.

Confidence in 'the dressing room' is far from fragile. We were unbeaten in 3 before Saturday's poor display and, with our last home league game ending in a 5-0 victory we are far from under confident.

I also disagree with your 'take the lead and we'll win' attitude: we were 2-0 down in 12 minutes vs Southend before going 2-3 ahead in the second half!

I bet this guy's not feeling quite so smart now!

[LancsSaddler]

papering over the cracks.... mullen still needs to go!

[tape66]

I think this is why I am so frustrated with the footballing matters. When we play well, we can beat anyone on our day - because some of the players we have a la Ricketts and Hughes are quality.

That is exactly how I feel as well Daz.

[chestersaddler]

papering over the cracks.... mullen still needs to go!

If Bonser can't see this he is "divorced from reality". Get a decent manager in to work with these players and who knows?

[Plastic Hawk]

papering over the cracks.... mullen still needs to go!

If Bonser can't see this he is "divorced from reality". Get a decent manager in to work with these players and who knows?

We'd still have every chance of success. Only five off the top six at the moment. As I said yesterday, we could be in any of three divisions next season, depending on what decisions are made in the boardroom (particularly with regard to the manager - the squad's already there but for a bit of cover) in the next six weeks.

[chestersaddler]

papering over the cracks.... mullen still needs to go!

If Bonser can't see this he is "divorced from reality". Get a decent manager in to work with these players and who knows?

We'd still have every chance of success. Only five off the top six at the moment. As I said yesterday, we could be in any of three divisions next season, depending on what decisions are made in the boardroom (particularly with regard to the manager - the squad's already there but for a bit of cover) in the next six weeks.

Bonser has already set the expectation that there will be bugga all transfer activity In January (Into the club that is;) so we probably are stuck with the squad minus Gerrard and maybe a couple of others. He may allow a couple of loans if balanced with players out.

It is the home tactics and performances which are the most concerning. Surely Bonser has been around for long enough to see what most supporters can see?

I posted on another thread that Bonser stil has a window of opportunity for a successful season if he acts quickly.

[BathSaddler]

An away win, and a clean sheet. It seems that our ability to score first has not diminished, and this time we held onto it.


That'll do .

It should guarantee a 3,500-4,000 crowd next week.

[Plastic Hawk]

papering over the cracks.... mullen still needs to go!

If Bonser can't see this he is "divorced from reality". Get a decent manager in to work with these players and who knows?

We'd still have every chance of success. Only five off the top six at the moment. As I said yesterday, we could be in any of three divisions next season, depending on what decisions are made in the boardroom (particularly with regard to the manager - the squad's already there but for a bit of cover) in the next six weeks.

Bonser has already set the expectation that there will be bugga all transfer activity In January (Into the club that is;) so we probably are stuck with the squad minus Gerrard and maybe a couple of others. He may allow a couple of loans if balanced with players out.

It is the home tactics and performances which are the most concerning. Surely Bonser has been around for long enough to see what most supporters can see?

I posted on another thread that Bonser stil has a window of opportunity for a successful season if he acts quickly.

I'm not too bothered about players coming in permanently (another centre back and a winger or two would be nice, but we've got plenty of loans left to handle that) so long as nobody (except Mullen) leaves. Reich will probably go and you'd think he'd be on reasonable money. Hopefully that can be used to bring in a right winger who the manager can trust. I think there's most of a play-off (but not automatic promotion) squad there, but they lack leadership. Solving that is up to JB.

[King Crimson]

An away win, and a clean sheet. It seems that our ability to score first has not diminished, and this time we held onto it.


That'll do .

It should guarantee a 3,500-4,000 crowd next week.

I agree. Hope those who travelled enjoyed the game. You deserve a win for going all that way given our recent form.

I'll be interested to see how Weston did.

[chestersaddler]

Agreed PH, a top 6 position should be within the capability of the players (but not the mgt team).

It is not the lack of quality of the first 16 but the cover. Another 30 + games with injuries, suspensions and with one or two who will not fancy a cold January night would in my view suggest the squad is a bit lightweight. Agree also with the areas which need strengthening.