Be a tough game this Colchester have hit some form
As always take a draw away from home but we could do with getting a win here after the Salford struggle
A good record at their new ground down the years. Can’t remember that many defeats in last 15 years.
Lyle Taylor their main threat so backline needs to be on it far more than last three games.
Keep him quiet and I can see this being a 0-2, similar game to Harrogate just before xmas.
I’ll be there
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Was Mantom that hit the underside of the bar which would have made it 5-4 
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Gutted I can’t go to this game, although I don’t have a good feeling about it… We may need a few weeks to gain some partnerships and cohesion.
There is a risk the additions may play like strangers as they haven’t been together training for long. So much potential for existing players to feel pushed out, hopefully they don’t see it that way.
Despite the signings I’d play DJ alongside Harrison up front and Adomah for Barrett and McEntee for Williams or Dave… Play quickly with Gordon and Adomah overlapping and overload the box with DJ, Harrison, the unengaged WB and the three in midfield sat outside the box to pounce on any loose or cleared ball.
If the ball breaks you would have two layers of 3 players to force it back wide and recycle the overload in the box…
Il try it on football manager and let you know if it works!
I would be concerned about Adomah’s defensive attributesto be honest. Personally i dont really see his strengths as a RWB.
Have we seen him defensive?
To be fair the forecast has improved slightly, the game won’t be in question but that still doesn’t mean the travelling Saddlers faithful shouldn’t dress appropriately for the elements with a bone chilling high of 4 degrees forecast on Saturday afternoon.
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Thank god for that KingCrod - folk need not ensure they have blankets and a shovel in the car for the wintry journey into balmy Essex! 
Not that you’ll be too bothered in Palma with your Queen…
For those spectators travelling on Saturday the below gives some useful hints and tips on getting the most out of your visit:
The stadium was opened in 2008 after the Club left their old Layer Road ground, to move to their new home on the edge of town. The stadium is splendid and well presented.
The ground is comprised of four separate stands, all unique in their own right. The Main (West) Stand on one side of the pitch is a little taller than the other three stands, which are the same height. All the stands are covered single-tiered, all seated stands. The Main Stand has a row of executive boxes/corporate hospitality areas running across the top of it, whilst the others are simply seating areas. The Weston Homes Stand though, at the South end of the stadium, does have a Police Control Box incorporated into it, on one side beneath the roof. All the stands have translucent panels built into their roofs as well as a perspex strip just below them, which allows more light and facilitates pitch growth and gives a fantastic ambience even on a cool winters day.
Away fans are normally housed in the northern part of the JobServe Stand, which is situated on one side of the stadium. Around a thousand supporters can be accommodated in this area. For Clubs with a larger travelling support then the Roman Cars Stand (the North End), where up to 2,000 supporters can be seated, is allocated instead. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities and view of the playing action are good. The stands are particularly steep, meaning that fans are kept close to the pitch resulting in good sight lines.
Stilian ‘Stevo’ Hodson a visiting Stockport County fan tells me; ‘The ground is equipped with electronic turnstiles. The stadium is very similar to Shrewsbury’s New Meadow with all four stands being of similar height’. Ivan Clarke an Ipswich Town fan adds; ‘I’d sound a warning to all visiting supporters. There is no facility to pay cash at the turnstiles, so you have to buy your tickets from the Ticket booth if you haven’t already bought them in advance’.
Mick Hucknall informs me; ‘The ground is not in a great place. Like Chester in the past, the club has been dispatched to a far-flung part of town, sitting on the edge of a new business park, surrounded by wasteland. Although the facilities were excellent, it is quite a depressing location for a “community” club’. Pierre Cannan a visiting Plymouth Argyle supporter warns; ‘Be careful when climbing the stairs to your seat row in the stand itself. It’s very easy to misjudge these steps and lose your footing, I have seen numerous supporters be close to a potentially serious or fatal injury’. Whilst Sparky a visiting Bradford City fan admits; ‘We always look forward to going to a game in Colchester, as we stay overnight in Clacton-on-Sea and then take the train into Colchester and back. The train journey time from Clacton is around 30 minutes.’
A varied range of food is available on the concourses, including; Cheeseburgers (£5.50), Hot Dogs (£5.25), Cornish Pasties (£6.25), Chicken Balti Pies (£4.45), Steak & Ale Pies (£4.75), Cheese & Onion Pasties (£4.90), Sausage Rolls (£4.30) and Wedges (£3.50). Other concessions include Hot Soup of the Day (£5.15), Prawn Toast (£3.80) and Maltesers (£3.75).
There are very few establishments within easy walking distance of the ground at present. The best bet for home and away supporters is to grab a drink and something to eat from the town centre before getting the bus over to the arena. There are plenty of places to go including the Fox and Fiddler which serves a number of real ales, sweet treats and welcomes small amounts of well behaved away supporters. Also on St John’s Street and almost next door is the Playhouse, which is a quite superb Wetherspoons outlet. This former theatre is a spectacular setting for a bar, as the original dress circle and stage of the theatre have been preserved and is well worth a visit and has a fantastic array of food and drinks available.
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What no undercroft ? Tin pot club, no mention of audience members being advised what time to arrive in their seating area ? Seems poor regarding travelling gate facilities, if Mick Hucknall had been asked for his reaction to the above mentioned indefensible lack of customer care I’m sure he would have implied it was due to “ Monies too tight to mention “
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Pierre Cannan sounds like Plymouth’s own KC.
A Bradford City fan calling himself Sparky deserves a lifetime ban.
Basically it’s Shrewsbury’s ground on a dual carriageway.
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Is Colchester the worst away ground in the country? This guy thinks so:
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Now, I am no historian, but I am fairly certain the Romans never had cars. Is this false representation?
Well, he can f–k right off! 
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Id agree with him, middle of nowhere, zero character usually empty. I’m aware Bescot isnt great either
If you decide to park in the park and ride, when you have crossed the A12 on the bridge walking to the ground, don’t walk down the road to Wendys hamburgers at the first island. Although it looks like you can get to the ground that way, there is a fence blocking access to the stadium.
Instead take the road (United Way) from the next island.
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Something got me started…
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Has the pitch been made shorter? Seem to remember they had to alter the dimensions after a flooding episode.