Player ratings for Colchester

I would give them the following out of ten - 7 being a satisfactory, or sound performance.

Colgan 7 - someone suggested that the Colchester goal was his fault, but I didn't see it that way, although I was right down the far end. It looked like a good cross and Iwelumo beating Carbon in the air. He got a bit of a testing, especially in the second half and made several good saves, the best of which appeared to be his extraordinary parry against Iwelumo's point-blank header. Again, I was at the wrong end to see clearly, but it looked right out of the top drawer and Colgan certainly celebrated it. It looked 2-0 for sure.
Tonge 5 - got a bit of a roasting from the Spurs loanee winger Yeates at times. I was not a weakness, but nor a strength on the day. Without Hassell, it's got to be either Austin or Tonge for right back. I think Austin would just shade my vote.
Reid 6 - was stretched to the limit by Iwelumo and occasionally by Halford. Possibly not back to full fitness. His class did show at times, especially in the quality of his passing game, but he is a better player than what we saw yesterday.
Carbon 7 - was the nearest thing we had to a rock at the back, but a better description would probably be briquette. He seemed to have greater commitment than most and his class was visible in occasional glimpses of a well-judged pass, or header. He was stretched by Iwelumo, though, and will have known he had been in a game.
Austin 6 - didn't kick anyone into row Z and did seem to be trying to perform in a technically more astute way, rather than muscling in. Personally, I though we needed a few more to muscle in, so I missed that aspect of his play. Rarely let us down, but doesn't look comfortable at left back at times and I would move Robbie Williams back to left back and switch Austin to the right, where he is clearly more comfortable. Looked good in the three-at-the-back late on.
Kay 5 - looked out of position and uncertain of his role throughout the game. I feel for him as he has been tried in so many psositions. I would make him at home in central midfield, just in front of the back four.
Burns 7 - showed more involvement than most, giving the impression of running the midfield for a time and getting away two of our best first-half shots from distance. Also showed some intelligence in understanding his wide left role once the formation changed to 3-4-3.
McPhail 5 - had a game when he just didn't click. Couldn't get hold of the ball and sometimes too fancy. On the other hand, if the other midfielders didn't understand the formation, how was he supposed to 'pull the strings.' Disappointing also in the dead ball department.
Williams 6 - mainly used, hopefully as our out ball from defence, but it didn't work. Didn't seem to get much opportunity to shine. Did his bit, but fairly anonymous amongst a confusing formation.
Hayes 5 - didn't cut the mustard as the 'channel' player, rarely timing his runs, nor pacing them to pick up the ball being played forwards for him. Had one good chance, which he missed. Occasionally showed glimpses of the ability to turn a defender and create an opportunity.
Nardiello 5 - thirty goals? You're having a laugh! As a 'channel' player he was too easily brushed off the ball. This gor increasingly annoying as he seemed to show less and less interest in battling even for 50:50 balls as the game wore on and he occasionally slumped to the floor under minimal challenge in the hope he would get a free kick. In truth, Colchester were not a dirty side. Had two good chances, which he missed. He is a talented player, but, on this performance, I would see him as a good 'super-sub' who can come on, introduce additional skill to the attack and score equalisers and winners, like at Peterborough last year.
Conlon 6 - did ok when he came on without looking a likely scorer, nor looking likely to create too much as the Colchester defence were quite canny in handling him.
Shuker 7 - a good one to bring on when changing to an attacking formation. I thought he worries the defence, although the Colchester fans comments about Willy Wonka were both hurtful and unwarranted, but amusing!!

So that's it. Really a wasted Saturday for thirteen Reds players and me. We played well against Swindon and will need to rediscover this form quickly. The good news is that hardly any team is winning consistently and we are still neither too far from the top, nor from the bottom. Lets hope we can get a foothold in the top six and take it from there. We definitely have the talented players, but they need pride, commitment and motivation, as well as good leadership on the pitch. We can do it and we really ought to. No other team looks quality. We must make our quality count.

 

"We definitely have the talented players" - er don't think so - who are they?

(N)

 

Enjoyed reading your match report etc. Comprehensive assessment and a seemingly balanced viewpoint. Makes a refreshing change from the hyper-critical rantings elsewhere. Not that the hyper-crits don't have a right to rant - it affects us all in different ways.

 

'briquette'

(Y)