Saturday 26th October

[GEORGE]

On pure footballing terms, it’s not such a big step up. Mistakes in both finishing and defending are punished more, so that’s a step up but an expected one. I honestly thought there’d be teams head and shoulders better than us (a few have definitely been better), but thus far no one has given us a good hiding (I hope that’s not the kiss of death). You have to remember we’ve previously played in the fairly recent past about 50% of the teams we’re now up against, so it won’t feel like a huge step up for supporters or players. We’re proving ourselves to be competitive, and there’s certainly (currently) worse teams than us in the league, so I remain cautiously optimistic that we’ll comfortably survive season 1 and then who knows . . . .

I think a bigger test will come in your second season.

 

[gary]

Interesting to look through Wimbledon's team. Seems packed full of decent league 2 players. Hippolyte always seems to be half decent, The lad who played up front for Sutton (Bugiel ?) can be a handful. There's no real superstars but you can imagine they'll be really solid.

Never rated Matty Stevens as a footballer but he's got a goalscoring touch at this level. When I've seen him, football wise he's not amazing but he seems to pop up in the right place more often than not. It seems that the wing backs are an important part of the way they play, so we might match up against them.

Surprised that Ryan Johnson is still getting a gig at this level. He looked nowhere near it with us. Clumsy and didn't seem to have much going for him, so I hope we target him.

Strange stats from Wimbledon too. They've scored 15 times at home, averaging 3 a game, yet have only scored once away. I wonder if it's tactical that they just set up to be solid away from home. They haven't conceded many in fairness.

Really looking forward to the return trip to be honest. My mate lives in Earlsfield about 15 minute walk to the ground..some decent pubs round and about and it's a nice part of London.

Yeah that about sums us up. No real stars but quite solid . As you say Bugiel is a handful and Stevens has scored a few recently. They will both start tomorrow. Our wing backs are important. You've scouted us well. In fact we play the same system home or away so we aren't difficult to scout. Ryan Johnson has done ok for us . He's been out injured but played the last couple. He might start tomorrow although Jackson might bring Harbottle back if he's fit enough.
We actually haven't been that bad away from home apart from Bromley maybe. We just haven't been clinical in front of goal. We should've got something at Notts County last week. If we weren't creating chances I'd be worried but we are. I think it's only a matter of time before we start winning away. I'm not saying that's going to happen tomorrow by the way. It's right at the end of the season I think when we play you at home.

 

[Ainsty]

I expect us to defend for 75 mins in the hope of being within touching distance. Then sub on Duke-McKenna, Folarin and Asare in the hope of getting something late on.

 

[CTFCfan99]

Carlisle away - two teams relegated last year who have both largely been a trainwreck this season.

To be fair we've improved in the last couple of games but it'll take a few more consistent solid performances before I start changing my mind about Flynn.

Jordan Thomas is finally starting games and tearing it up on the wing opposite Ethon Archer who's been our best player this season imo, which gives me hope that we're finally settling on the right team and formation.

This game won't decide anything but will go a long way to showing what sort of team we are - can we turn up and beat the other strugglers or will we wither under the pressure? Got draw written all over it - 1-1.

 

[SuperHans]

Morecambe is the land that time forgot. Never again.

 

[Tinpot and proud]

Morecambe is the land that time forgot. Never again.

It’s a great little town….with a former Mr Blobby land…..it’s up there with Vegas and Blackpool for me !!!

 

[JJ1990]

Colchester's pitch looking typically terrible. Big chunks being kicked up and we're not even into November. Going to be a mud bath by the spring.

 

[Kauto Star]

Well he needs to find the right going because he’s been poor of late

Is he ready for the knackers yard yet then?

 

[Son of Cod]

Not much chat on our match. We've struggled against the decent sides this season of which MK Dons quite clearly fall into despite a slow start. Of all the good sides though, I suspect us to at least compete with them if last season's matches are anything to go by. I suspect Lindsey has got them playing a bit more direct than they were last season though. Felt like under Williamson they were content to pass the ball sideways for most of a match and to let the opposition come onto them. Can't see that being the case today but I still expect to see both sides trying to get the ball down in the most part.

Will be interesting to see if Artell sticks with three CBs and wingbacks or reverts back to a flat back four. I think JDS has probably had adequate rest/down time so wouldn't be surprised to see him back in, but then again Obikwu won us the match midweek so could well see us going with that same system. Artell does seem to love an unchanged lineup.

 

[spireite]

Very poor first half from us that

 

[CFC91]

Very poor first half from us that

Not much better in the second either

 

[kieran_vale]

Was just about to say how it seems year on year Colchester can’t seem to get out of that circling the drain sort of spot in the table but they’re now level. Guess the point still stands.

 

[valefan16]

5 changes again but the same XI as last Saturday. Paton and Curtis can feel hard done to but then so could Richard’s midweek!

 

[RavenBish]

First starts for Josh Martin and Jevani Brown for us today. Crowley the latest player to get injured. Hope Brown has a good game, he seems to have already been designated as our boo boy for the season despite his only game time really being as a baby sitter for our youth team in the cup.

We don’t have a single attacking player on the bench and it’s only October. Class.

 

[spireite]

Not much better in the second either

Berry changed the game since coming on, unplayable at times.

 

[Youpies]

Can't work out if it's another 343 or a 442. Either way it's a new line up again. Plenty of attacking players in that squad so we should create some chances even without Crowley

 

[kieran_vale]

Darren Moore is in that spot it’s almost a shock now if we don’t rotate the lineup significantly. Nothing I can quibble with and when you’ve had a run like we’ve had it’s churlish if I did.

If we do win we’re not the sort of team who will blow a team off the park so it’ll be close but plenty of options on the bench if things are not going well.

 

[valefan16]

Darren Moore is in that spot it’s almost a shock now if we don’t rotate the lineup significantly. Nothing I can quibble with and when you’ve had a run like we’ve had it’s churlish if I did.

If we do win we’re not the sort of team who will blow a team off the park so it’ll be close but plenty of options on the bench if things are not going well.

Probably the only criticism so far recentry.

We’ve had the chances to in some games but been wasteful and for example Colchester bit us on the backside.

Think a hammering of someone is coming but not expecting it to happen today against these.

 

[Boz]

Having seen the Rovers line-up today, think Crewe can be fairly sure of a win.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

First starts for Josh Martin and Jevani Brown for us today. Crowley the latest player to get injured. Hope Brown has a good game, he seems to have already been designated as our boo boy for the season despite his only game time really being as a baby sitter for our youth team in the cup.

We don’t have a single attacking player on the bench and it’s only October. Class.

No Jones, no Crowley and Palmer about as adventurous as a lollipop lady at a school crossing we lack our usual creativity and flair. Abbott is a welcome return but probably need a slightly different approach.

Need Brown or Martin to setup up. Oh and Old man McGoldrick starts again.

 

[valefan16]

The Rudgie Video… wow!

 

[CFC91]

Berry changed the game since coming on, unplayable at times.

Yep him and Dobra seemed to have it on them when they came on, and Grigg is just a touch of class. Cracking last 30 minutes

 

[SuperHans]

Only caught the second half. As others have said the subs changed the game. Really pleased for both Dobra and Grimes on their goals. Berry very nearly scored the goal of the century.

 

[CTFCfan99]

Christ I thought we were bad. Carlisle are a different breed. Need to score again while we're on top

 

[Moonie]

Christ I thought we were bad. Carlisle are a different breed. Need to score again while we're on top

I'd be surprised if you need another. We're looking worse and worse.

 

[GTFCfish]

Was just about to say how it seems year on year Colchester can’t seem to get out of that circling the drain sort of spot in the table but they’re now level. Guess the point still stands.

They do this every year, they will get to where they are a point outside the relegation zone in March then win 3 games on the bounce to pull clear.
Rinse and repeat every season.

 

[Son of Cod]

Very pedestrian first half from MK Dons for most of that 45. Let us come onto them early doors and we said thank you very much. Could and should be may be another further ahead. A suspiciously comfortable lead for us. Expecting them to come out and have a better go in the second half.

 

[kieran_vale]

2-0 up at halftime but not without warning signs we need to stay on it. Wimbledon are a good side and but for a worldy of a save from Ripley would have had one back. Richards and Cover been standouts for us so far.

 

[GTFCfish]

Currently we’re level on points with the autos with a -4 goal difference.

 

[Moonie]

Absolutely woeful performance, fully deserving the chorus of boos that rang out at the sound of the halftime whistle. Clueless, flightless, and leaderless. Awful.