Two minute guide to: Colchester Utd
We preview Colchester United, Port Vale’s first away trip of the new season, with our now-traditional OVF two minute guide…
Vale could make changes after a draw and a defeat in their opening two games. Micky Adams is concerned that some players may be carrying injuries and so full-backs Dan Jones and Adam Yates (right) could be rested. Doug Loft and Richard Duffy may replace them. If Loft moves to left-back, Kaid Mohammed may make his first start for the club.
However, Adams will resist the chance to change his forward pairing saying – “It’s important to give your front pairing time to create a partnership together.”
Colchester are likely to revert to the side that started the season after making three changes for their Capital One Cup clash against Peterborough. Marcus Bean may come into contention but he is suffering from a virus.
Possible Vale XI:
Neal
Duffy – Robertson – Dickinson – Loft
Myrie-Williams – Griffith – Lines – Mohammed
Hughes – Pope
“I remember my early years here when I looked at the bench sometimes and thought ‘there’s nothing I can do’. I don’t have that problem anymore. Now I have a squad of players capable of being in the first team at any time.”
“With the fans that we take away, thousands of fans, a credit to them, hopefully it’ll be a good atmosphere and we can get a good result,”
– Chris Birchall
“I am expecting Port Vale to be a difficult side to break down. As with all of Micky Adams’ teams, they are very well organised and extremely hard-working.”
– Colchester manager Joe Dunne
Last meeting:
The Valiants lost 2-1 at Colchester in 2006. Michael Husbands’ (pictured) penalty came between two Richard Garcia strikes for the home side. Chris Birchall, in today’s Vale squad, played in that game.
Overall record:
- Vale wins: 17
- Colchester wins: 20
- Draws: 12
Last time we…
Won in Colchester was back in 2004. Scott McGleish, Steve Brooker, Micky Cummins, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and a Wayne Brown own-goal were the scorers as Vale won 4-1.
Facing his former employers:
Liam Chilvers will be facing the club he left back in 2006. Chilvers began life at Arsenal and had two loan spells with United before making the move permanent in 2004. He left two years later after 75 first-team appearances.
Other connections:
Other players to appear for both sides include:
Ashley Vincent, Bobby Gough, David Raine, Sagi Burton, Ray Harford, Sam Stockley, Justin Richards, Mick Mahon, John Froggatt, Mvondo Atangana, Marc Goodfellow and Arthur Longbottom.
This will be Vale’s first visit to the new United stadium – the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The club moved there in 2007 after 71 years at Layer Road.
The new stadium cost £14m and was funded by Colchester County council with the football club as tenants.
In November 2011, the stadium hosted its first England under 21s game.