Opposing views: Colchester Utd
Wessex Exile is delighted with his side’s recent form – but he’s still predicting a win for the Valiants…
Wessex Exile talks to REP about the Vale’s next opponents.
Fan bio:
Wessex Exile has been a Colchester supporter since the 1970’s. His first game, as a young boy, was a 1-0 win against Hartlepool in 1970 under United’s legendary manager Dick Graham (RIP). For the last 30+ years he’s been an exile, first in Bradford (Uni and work) and then Wiltshire (work), but he still gets to about 10-12 matches a season.
How are Colchester doing?
Given all the recent postponements, we have shedloads of games in hand on most, and with a bit of luck we could just about challenge for sixth place…
Form-wise we’re doing well, enough so that Joe Dunne was one of the nominees for the accursed Manager of the Month award – fortunately he didn’t win it. We have had an absolutely appalling season for injuries, and some key members of the squad are only just returning, so on balance I’d say we’re about where I was expecting – mid(ish)-table for a season of consolidation ready for a serious go at promotion next season.
Given all the recent postponements, we have shedloads of games in hand on most, and with a bit of luck we could just about challenge for sixth place, but realistically upper mid-table will be a good result for a team that only avoided relegation on the last day of last season (but what a day at Carlisle it was!).
Who should we watch out for?
Tell Mr Adams to do his own research – but seriously… Sanchez Watt from midfield, a rejuvenated Vose on the wing, big Jabo in the box, the seven foot octopus that is Sam Walker in goal, on his game ‘Beast’ Magnus at the heart of defence, and if he makes an appearance Freddie Sears feeding off Jabo’s scraps.
What are your thoughts on your manager?
Joe Dunne is a U’s legend, as player and now manager…
Joe Dunne is a U’s legend, as player and now manager. If you want the perfect accolade Mick Wadsworth rated him so low he sold him to Dover Athletic – and as none of us would trust Wadsworth to sit the right way on the toilet, Joe was brought straight back as soon as Mick had moved ‘further North’ to Crystal Palace.
What are your thoughts on your board?
Robbie Cowling is a proper football fan, who has invested heavily in the side, and specifically Florence Park – our training ground at at Tiptree – and named after Robbie’s nan I think. There are some local nimbys who complain regularly about the noise (of footballers having a game of football – apparently some of them occasionally say rude words), but it’s an excellent facility and before too long we’re expecting to get category two status.
Any views on Port Vale?
Any views and memories of players that have been involved with both teams?
None I’m afraid.
A score prediction?
Difficult one, if we’d been playing you fresh on the tail of some excellent recent performances I’d fancy us to at least get a point, or even snatch a win.. but all these postponements will not have helped, so my head prediction is 1-0 to Port Vale (Pope to score). My heart prediction, however, is we’ll win 2-1, with Sanchez Watt getting a late winner.
