Just out of interest as I get Anglia coverage and have a bit of 'low-down' on Colchester's first matches and their style of play. They have played a 4-5-1 starting formation in both matches so far, away at Gillingham and home to Swansea. The style relies heavily on their new signing, ex-Reds target, Chris Iwelumo, who is played as target man. His job is to be the link player who brings into play a very mobile and active midfield, the pick of whom are Neil Danns and Kem Izzet. Against Swansea, another ex-Red, Kevin Austin, completely dominated Iwelumo out of the game, although the Swans defence had to resort to strong-arm tactics to preserve their 2-1 advantage. At least three Swans defenders were booked in the latter stages for this style of play. We need to dominate Iwelumo and keep him under control. He isn't very mobile, but is big and lays off a good ball. The real threat comes from the Us midfield. Neil Danns is a class player, who averages a goal every three games and has a distinctly Glavin look about him as goalscoring midfielder. Kem Izzet is also a distinct threat. On Tuesday, they had Halford and Yeates (Spurs loanee) on right and left wide. Our centre backs will probably feel that one of them is spare if only Iwelumo plays up front, but our midfield needs to be aware of the running threat from the five midfielders and we will need a player earmarked to mark Danns closely. Suggest Kay in midfield if Reid plays in defence. The wide players in Halford and Yeates will also need to be kept out wide, otherwise they can do damage. Tonge and Austin need to be wary. Their likely line-up will be:
RE: Colchester preview 2 Davidson Stockley Brown Chilvers Duguid Halford Danns Watson Izzet Yeates Iwelumo Us notably did better after they switched to 4-4-2 by bringing on Gareth Williams as a strike partner for Iwelumo and they well might start on Saturday with this formation. To combat this threat I would choose: Colgan Tonge Reid Vaughan Austin Shuker Kay McPhail Williams Hayes Nardiello With Kay detailed to mark Danns out of the game and Vaughan to man-mark Iwelumo. Reid could find himself in a freer role to push forwards into midfield, in which case, he should watch for Izzet's threat. Perhaps even Reid should play a deep midfield role alongside Kay with just three at the back. Williams is back after suspension (I think) and him and Austin need to watch the threat from Us right. Tonge needs to watch Yeates, who is a talented, but green youngster on loan from Spurs. I would take a draw, but am hoping for a win. Kay likes Layer Road and we haven't lost there in three seasons. I will be at the clock end. I had to sit down being an old git.
RE: so what there fukin **** u fukin reds love ya to bits Thought scunny were going to be *****,nothing wrong with a bit of info on the opposition,as we've found out over last 3 years there's no easy games in this league.
Would be a big mistake playing Vaughan against Iwelumo, I would bet my house on him getting sent off for jumping into him or something equally as stupid. I think Kay and Reid at the back. and if there is loads of aerial stuff, we need a keeper who can come off his line, so ffs, get Colgan out.
RE: so what there fukin **** u fukin reds love ya to bits I'm presuming Carbon will be injured. Hence Vaughan. I think a more robust defensive formation could come up trumps - hence Kay in midfield and Williams left midfield. Strangely, it could be a winning formation, I think.
Disappointed with Burns on Tues and Ritchie has said he wants to see more goals from midfield. I can see him moving Kay into midfield, but I think Vaughan can be a liability at times, too many stupid tackles giving away set pieces is not what we want with Count Dracula in goal.
