Up the Us
Up the Us Promoted to the football league in 1950, Colchester United have spent all but two seasons in the bottom two divisions, bouncing between the third and fourth tiers on a regular basis. Howe...
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@JustinCase0110
I'm looking forward to it and hoping the game doesn't delete it like the Les Verts save.
In real life, the Cowleys are already making a big difference, albeit they are far from safe this season, as we enter the final stages.
I thought I'd better do this now in case they don't feature in EAFC25...
I'm looking forward to it and hoping the game doesn't delete it like the Les Verts save.
In real life, the Cowleys are already making a big difference, albeit they are far from safe this season, as we enter the final stages.
I thought I'd better do this now in case they don't feature in EAFC25...
Cowley: It’s a Process
Danny Cowley said that the development of the club from perennial strugglers will be ‘a process’ and called for the fans to ‘have patience’.
Speaking after his announcement to the media, Cowley said that there was a lot to do at the club, in terms of backroom infrastructure as well as player development.
“The vision is to develop good players that have an affinity to the club and to which the fans can have attachments because of that. This means we have to go through a process, building a scouting team, beefing up the coaching staff and setting targets, strategy and so on. This will not be an instant upturn, unless things progress faster than I expect.
“in the interim, we have players here that need to be assessed – both us on them, and them on us – to see if we fit the profile that each of us wants. There will be people who move on, and some new ones that arrive, but ultimately, we will all be pulling towards the same aim, with the same playing philosophy, and those that remain and arrive will enjoy the ride; this I can promise you.”
To the question of player movements, he said; “I expect some will move out in this window, and we have some latitude to bring in a few, much as happens with a club at this level. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
It’s clear that Cowley has a very specific set of ideal; it will be interesting to see if he can implement them, as the club has struggled on this front in the past.
Fans Unimpressed with the Squad
The Colchester United squad for 2023-24 is currently largely unchanged from last season's relegation battle. Apart from the two new signings announced, only Bradley Ihionvien, a striker from the academy, has been added to the permanent team this season so far. There are some promising loanees, including Owen Goodman from Crystal Palace and Jayden Richardson from Aberdeen, but the fans mostly expressed disappointment at the news.
"The owner really needs to get his hands in his pockets and find that dusty chequebook," said one. "All we ever get are freebies and promoted kids. How does he expect a different outcome this season, when the manager has the same failures to manage?"
"It's going to be another battle against relegation. We can't keep doing this, or else we'll finally drop through the trapdoor." Said another.
Manager Danny Cowley was more relaxed. "We have a good squad here. They just need some different systems to work with; that's all.
"I think we'll be fine. We might have scope for a couple more arrivals before the end of August. People need to have patience."
The Us Win the European International Cup
Amazingly, the Us won a trophy this July, when they finished top of the table in the European International Cup, hosted by Germany. The Us were surprised to be invited to the tournament, which Manager Danny Cowley was not going to turn down.
“It was a good way of getting minutes into the players’ legs, and to try out a number of formations and lineups. Winning the tournament too was just a bonus.
“It was great for the fans that made the trip, too. It’s not often that fans of this club get to see us play against European opposition.
Good wins against Exeter City and FC Koln showed how the team has developed in the weeks since Cowley arrived, but the defeat to Heidenheim brought the club back down to Earth.
“It’s good that we encountered some adversity, because that’s how you find out about the players’ character. Now it’s on to the season proper.” Said Cowley.
