Up the Us

Loan Recalls Decimate the Squad

As expected, three of the six loanees have been recalled by their parent clubs on January 1st, makihg a sizeable dent in the U’s squad at a critical time of the year.

Crystal Palace have recalled goalkeeper Owen Goodman, who had played 16 games for the club. 

Lincoln City recalled Alistair Smith, despite his 19 games. 

Stevenage recalled Harry Anderson, who has played 10 games in the last 2 ½  months.

Fans were not happy with the development, citing the club’s inability to buy replacements.  “Where are we going to get bodies?  We don’t have that kind of money, and Danny has said he’s not happy with the loan system.”  Said one disgruntled supporter.

On top of the loan departures, striker Tom Hopper and centre-back Tom Dallison left the club, having already signed for new clubs.  This depletes the squad still further in the middle of what has been the most promising season for Colchester united for years.

Cowley refused to be drawn on the subject of replacements.  “It’s weird that players are recalled to sit in the reserves; I can only think they’ll be loaned out again, but who knows?  As for replacements – we don’t have much money, but I think we’ll be alright.”

The usual issue with loan players. I do like the idea that you need to play loan players to keep the loan as an arrangement that makes sense for all parties involved. But the threshold for expected games is just too steap for my taste. A loan player practically needs to start every game to be certain not to be recalled on January 1st.

Kids Promoted

Colchester United have gone some way towards filling the gaps left by the departures by promoting two academy players.

Edward Forster, 16, has been promoted to the goalkeeping department.  The English youngster has been impressing in academy matches, and in training, and is expected to push Tom Smith for the backup slot to Ned Labrovic.

“Edward has a good future ahead of him,” said Danny Cowley.  “He’s a good shot-stopper and very alert to what’s developing in front of him.”

Centre-back Borja Giraldo, 18, was amongst the first players recruited by Danny Cowley’s youth scouts, and will effectively replace the departed Tom Dallison.  The Mexican was also an early signing.

“Borja is being called up a little earlier than we would like, but needs must,” said Danny Cowley.  “He is ready, though, based on his under-21 performances.

“We have a lot more where these boys came from, on the development path.  I’d like to hold some of them back at this stage, though, as a season second-half promotion push is really quite intense.  In an ideal world, we’ll see quite a few appear in the squad next summer.”

[Editor's note:  I don't normally call up a player until his OVR is 60 or more, but this is something I can't avoid this time.]

Progress in the FA Cup and a Hat-Trick

The U’s despatched bottom of league 1 side Stevenage in the FA Cup 3rd round.  Goals from Edwards, Chilvers and Tovide turned the tie around, after Stevenage scored in only the 5th minute.  The club’s reward for that victory is a 4th round tie at premier league Nottingham Forest.

Colchester also progressed in the BSM Trophy, defeating Barrow 2-0, representing the furthest they have ever gone in this competition.

In the league, away wins against Stockport and Swindon kept the U’s at the top of the table.  At Edgeley Park, Samson Tovide hit a hat-trick to further burnish his growing reputation.

So, at the end of January, the U’s have a narrow lead over Wrexham, with the rest of the division slipping way behind these two searing pace-setters.

In the scoring chart, Samson Tovide enjoys a 2-goal lead over Crawley’s Danilo Orsi, whilst Colchester players are beginning to annexe the leadership of the assists chart, with Chilvers and Petersen fighting it out over top spot.

More loan departures

Centre-back Zach Mitchell has been recalled by Charlton Athletic and right-back Jayden Richardson by Aberdeen, in the latest blows to Colchester United.  Mitchell isn’t quite such a big issue, as most of his 13 appearances were from the bench, but Richardson was one of the core starters in what fans call the “first, first team”, and had only missed a few games this season.

This leaves only centre-back Riley Harbottle at the club; the loanee from Hibernian who has only just returned from a 3-month layoff.  Whether he’ll be recalled is something that fans will be watching closely, as he was a core starter before his injury, and has slotted back in since he returned.

How the U's will cope with a reduced squad and a lot of games to come is going to be interesting to see.

Dean Breaks U’s Transfer Record

Colchester United have announced their first, and possibly only, signing of the January window, and it’s a big one.

Striker Max Dean (19) has been signed from MK Dons for a fee rumoured to be around £600,000, plus defensive midfielder Gene Kennedy (21).  The transfer fee paid breaks Colchester’s previous purchase record, when they signed striker Steven Gillespie from Cheltenham Town in the summer of 2008, paying £400,000 at the time.  He is some way from being Colchester’s record transfer deal, when they sold Greg Halford to then-Premier League club Reading for £2.5 million in January 2007.

“Max is a really good young prospect and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do for us,” said Manager Danny Cowley.  “He’ll also push Samson (Tovide) and Conor (Wilkinson) on to greater things, I think, so it's going to be like signing three strikers.”

When asked about his record price tag, Dean seemed remarkably relaxed.  “I didn’t know that, but it’s not my thing to get excited, or fazed, by such things.  In any case, I guess inflation means that I’m probably not as expensive as Steven was.  I’m just here to play, score and help this club have success.”

Kennedy was finding it difficult to get into the first team on a regular basis.  “It’s a good move for Gene.  He had too much competition here from Marcel Ruiz and Eddy Addo, and so he’ll get more playing time at Dons, I’m sure,” said Cowley.

“We aren’t likely to do much more business in this window.  We have a squad capable of meeting the challenges ahead and I want to reserve our money for next summer.” Cowley added.

U’s in 5th Round of the FA Cup

For the first time since 2003-4, the U’s have reached the 5th round of the FA Cup – one step away from the quarter-finals, which they only ever achieved once in the same year that they beat the all-conquering Leeds United (1970-71).

A totally unexpected victory against a struggling Premier League Nottingham Forest included a memorable second hat-trick this month from Samson Tovide.  The U’s were 3-0 up at half-time from two of Tovide’s goals which bracketed a strike from Olav Petersen, then Tovide made it 4-0 almost from the kick-off for the second half.  A 74th minute strike from Giovanni Reyna threatened a comeback, but it didn’t materialise, as the U’s celebrated their best run in the cup for 20 years.

Tovide scores his Third

“We had no answer”, said Forest’s manager Steve Cooper.  “I put out a decent side which should have won, but these guys are high-energy and relentless.  Fair play to them.”

In the other two matches, the U’s plotted a route through to the BSM Trophy semi-finals with a win over Swindon, only 3 days after drawing with them, and a crushing victory at the Racecourse Ground, against arch-rivals Wrexham.  Max Dean scored his first and second goals for the club, as the U’s ran riot.

“We’ve had a good series of cup runs this season,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “Hopefully, the extra games won’t tell on us later, but the whole club and city are enjoying the excitement.

The U’s have an East Anglian derby against Norwich in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.  Should be a fascinating match-up.

4:1 win over a Premier League side, nice one - that's one of those magic things in Cup football, well: at least in England and Germany, all other national cup tournaments often seem a formality for the big guns.

What a historic achievement for the U's in the FA Cup! Reaching the 5th round for the first time since 2003-04 is no small feat, especially with a stunning victory over Premier League side Nottingham Forest. Here's to celebrating the U's remarkable cup run and the hope for even greater success in the quarter-finals!

Funny coincidence to see both 4-1 away wins (Stockport County and Nottingham Forest) coming to life with a Tovide hattrick. A man for the big occasion! Impressively followed by a 5-0 win at Wrexham... Hmm... Three big away wins there. Are you better away from home?

Thrilling Draw Against Newport

The U’s home match against Newport County saw an eight-goal thriller, as the two sides traded blows, including another Samson Tovide hat-trick.  Newport took the lead through Charsley on 23 minutes, only to go into the break 2-1 down after Tovide struck twice.  Charsley pulled them level again before Tovide completed his hat-trick, and then Olav Petersen seemed to make the points safe at 4-2, but a late comeback by County saw the match finish level.

“It’s unusual for us to do that,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “We’ll have to worn on concentration this week.”

Apart from that, two fairly routine league wins, against Harrogate Town and Mansfield Town, saw the U’s keep pace with Wrexham at the top.

Ezra Fox Promoted

Striker Ezra Fox (17) has been promoted to the first team squad.

The young Englishman is the latest of the academy conveyor belt to make it into the first team.

“Ezra is a real prospect and, despite what I previously said about holding academy players back until the end of the season, he needed to come into the fold now.  We think he’ll get a few goals in the remainder of the season, and that’s a real plus.”

“I am excited to make the step up,” said the youngster.  “I want to help the team do well and hopefully get promotion this year.”

There are a number of other players who could well make the transition, making for an exciting 2024-25 season, if their performances in the academy leagues is anything to go by, finally realising the dreams of the owner, who has made it his mission to develop the U’s own talent for several years now.

Cup Exit and Cup Progress

The U’s finally left the FA Cup in the 5th round, falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to Championship Norwich City after extra time.  Olav Petersen actually put the U’s in front, before the Canaries equalised before half time.  No further goals in the second half meant extra time, and the U’s simply ran out of steam.  Armstrong settled it for Norwich in the 104th minute.

Prior to that, the U’s reached the final of the BSM Trophy with a good 3-1 victory at League 1 Reading; the first time they have reached a final for one of the ‘league’ cups.  Their only previous cup final was the FA Trophy, the non-league equivalent of the FA Cup, which they won at the time.  Bradley Ihionvien scored the goal of the game, shooting from just inside the U’s half in the 93rd minute, as Reading’s goalie had come up from a corner which was cleared to the striker.

In between, the U’s beat Grimsby Town 4-3 to keep the pressure on Wrexham at the top of the table.  The U’s are 2 points behind with 2 games in hand – a consequence of their progress in every cup competition this season.

Samson Tovide continues to lead the League 2 scoring chart, 5 clear of Crawley’s Orsi, as we head towards the end of the season.  It’s been a fine year for the young striker.

League Progress

The U’s took 7 points from the next three games, with away wins over Gillingham and Crewe and a home draw against Notts County.

Satoshi Takahashi opened the scoring against the Gills to maintain his fine scoring form.  Danny Cowley has started playing him on the left, from where he can cut in more, and the youngster seems to have got the message. 

Takahashi scores against the Gills

Max Dean added to his tally to complete the scoring at the Priestfield Stadium, making it 6 goals in all competitions since the striker arrived in January.

The match against Notts County was harder, with possession 50/50 and the oldest professional club in the world never giving up.  Samson Tovide thought he’d won it in the 80th minute, but Robertson scored in the last minute to send County home with a point.

Ruiz celebrates his goal

Crewe outplayed the U’s at the Mornflake Stadium, but an early goal from Bradley Ihionvien ensured that the U’s went home with all three points to keep pressure on Wrexham at the top of the table.

Cup History for U’s and Promotion Secured

It may only be the BSM Trophy, but Colchester United created history by winning their first ever league-based knockout trophy, when they beat Bolton Wanderers 4-1 at Wembley.  Their only other trophy was the non-league FA Trophy, won in 1992 when they also secured promotion back to the football league as Champions of what was then the Football Conference.

At Wembley, the U’s scored first via Samson Tovide, before the higher-division Bolton equalised on half time.  The early stages of the second half were a massive fight between the two teams, before Marcel Ruiz put the U’s ahead on 70 minutes, after which Colchester ran away with it.

“What a fabulous day for the players, club and fans.” Said manager Danny Cowley.  “We’ve worked hard to make this happen and it’s a bit of real history for the club – something we’ll remember always.”

Colchester also secured promotion to League 1, as did “Hollywood Wrexham”, with the latter securing back-to-back promotions.  Tranmere Rovers currently occupy 4th place and cannot get to the U’s total even if they win all their matches and the U’s lose all theirs.  Colchester stay in second place, only 1 point behind Wrexham with two matches in hand.  The title is certainly a strong possibility as we move into April.

Congratulations with the trophy. 4-1 at Wembley, that's quite a margin against a side from a superior league. Certainly looks like you're ready for a move up. You can even advance as league winners, if you win the games you have in hand. Good luck in the last few months of the season.

Academy Players Shine in the FA Youth Cup

Colchester United’s young players took the club the furthest they have ever been in the FA Youth Cup, when they lost 4-2 to Chelsea under-18s in the Quarter Final.  The U’s had never been that far in the competition before, their previous best finish being in the round before the quarter finals in 2018 and 2005.  The achievement underlines the progress being made in the youth development at the club, with a number of fine performances by players expected to move up into the first-team squad this summer. 

The U’s goals were scored by Xisco Aguilar (left) and Fabian Louis, both 16 and strikers and both of whom are stand-out prospects for promotion.  Other notable performances came from midfielder Felipe Gonzalez (16) on the left, and attacking midfielder Ryan Norton (17) and, whilst the defence shipped 4 goals, it is clear that manager Danny Cowley could easily be promoting goalkeeper Arthur Gardiner (17; soon to be 18) and a couple of defenders.

Given that the U’s will be moving up a level next season and therefore the matches will be that much harder, it will be interesting to see how and when the manager brings the players in but, as Sir Matt Busby once said “If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.”

“We have really moved our academy up a level this season,” said Cowley.  “Some of these players have been picked up from bigger clubs who have decided to move them on, but we feel they have a real chance at our level, and they have the character and ability to prove their previous clubs wrong.”

Season 2024-25 could well prove to be an exciting one for Col U fans.

Nice batch of youngsters coming in, I see: nice.

Although the FA Youth Cup isn't actually in the game, is it?

Title Within Reach

Col U went to the top of the table in April, with 4 wins and one defeat from their 5 matches.

The month started with defeat at home to Accrington, the Stanley dominating the game with 59% possession.  The U’s obviously had a hangover from the celebrations at winning the BSM Trophy.

Normal service was resumed after that, with a run of 4 wins, including a 5-0 hammering of Salford City that saw Satoshi Takahashi score a hat-trick from his new position on the left.  All three goals were cut-ins from that side, in a man-of-the- match performance from the academy graduate.

A Wrexham stumble sees the U’s lead the table on goal difference, still having two matches in hand and it seems that the title is now theirs.

Samson Tovide is also almost certain to win the scoring title for the division, leading the way on 29 goals, some 8 ahead of ex-U’s striker Luke Norris, on 21.  He is also head and shoulders above the remainder of the team, with 41 goals in all competitions.

A good position to stand there with three games left, and your rivals only have one. I'm in a similar position in mine, always two games behind, gives a team an advantage, doesn't it? Like Man City IRL, always with that game in hand... Awful performance vs Stanley, good cover-up with the hangover, but that was awful compared to your form in any other game. Tovide especially, what a season from him. Now it's just about getting the rest of the games out of the way, before you can focus on preparations for the upcoming season. Interesting how you're going to approach that.