Up the Us

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.

Goodbye League 2

Colchester United waved goodbye to League Two with three consecutive victories in May, all of which saw them score four goals.  Star of the month was Bradley Ihionvien, who reminded manager Danny Cowley of his emerging quality with a hat-trick at Barrow on the last day of the season.

Colchester finished 6 points clear of Wrexham in second, and a whopping 39 points clear of fourth-placed Tranmere Rovers.  Eventual play-off winners Bradford City finished 7th, 42 points behind the champions.

The fans can now look forward to a League One campaign next season, but Manager Danny Cowley isn’t planning on an extended celebration personally.  “We have a lot to do this summer.  We have a squad to adjust, contracts to deal with, a transfer window to negotiate and we need to develop our playing style to meet the different demands of League One.

“The work starts now; we have no time to lose.”

It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the close season and what kind of squad emerges from the merry-go-round of the next three months.

Clearout at Col U

With the start of the close season, Colchester United have announced the fate of a number of players in the squad.  A remarkable 10 players have been put up for sale.

Although those players whose contracts were coming up this summer have already been sold, there are a number who are entering into their last season this August.  Almost all of them will not be offered an extension, and therefore the following players are ‘on the market’:

• Goalkeeper Tom Smith (21)
• Right back Mandela Egbo (27)
• Striker Conor Wilkinson (30)
• Midfielder Matt Jay (29)
• Midfielder Jay Mingi (24)
• Midfielder Marley Marshall-Miranda (21)
• Right back Will Greenidge (22)
• Midfielder Arthur Read (25)
• Centre-back Connor Hall (31)
• Ellis Iandolo (27)

The biggest surprises are midfielder Arthur Read and second-top scorer Conor Wilkinson, as both are considered very experienced and amongst the top performers at the club, but this manager is known for his ruthless pursuit of his strategy at other clubs.

At a recent press conference, Manager Danny Cowley explained his strategy.  “The demands of League one are different from where we’ve been.  The play is quicker and there are some real quality teams in there which means we are not likely to have as much possession.  A significant number of teams in League One have enjoyed premier league football and are considerably bigger than us.

“We need different players for where this club is heading.  All of the players on the list are unlikely to get as much playing time as they would like next season and it’s only fair to give them the opportunity to go to another club, where they would play more.

“They have been good for us last seasn, they experienced a promotion and I hope they enjoyed that.”

To the question of where the replacements are coming from, he was less forthcoming at this point.  All he would say is that the club does not have much money to spend, but will probably use the money from sales to buy ‘one or two’.  Does this mean a much slimmed-down squad, or will we see more unattached players coming in?

Good end to the season, good to see Ihonvien impressing late, perhaps keeping a good role for the upcoming season.

Interesting possible clearout. I must say I'm surprised about the decision regarding Read. I was certain that he and Chilvers would be players, you'd want to build your team around. Looking forward to see the comings and goings of the summer.

Contracts Extended

Colchester United have announced that a number of players have had their contracts extended, securing their medium-term future at the club.

Attacking midfielder Noah Chilvers (24) will now be at the club until 2028, as will attacking midfielder Olav Petersen (24).  Petersen joined the club last summer as an unattached player and has been a success.  Chilvers is an academy product and is considered more than capable at performing in League One.

Left–midfielder Owura Edwards (24) has extended his contract to summer 2027.  The former Bristol City player faces stiff competition from Satoshi Takahashi, who has been used on the left with great success during the closing months of the season.

Right-midfielder Jayden Fevrier (22) has also extended to summer 2028.  Fevrier was an automatic starter in ‘the first team’ last season.

It comes as no surprise that striker Samson Tovide (21) has signed a new contract.  His new contract runs until summer 2029 as the club sought to secure their star 40-goal striker to the  longest contract of them all.

Samson Tovide

Bradley Ihionvien’s late-season scoring exploits have secured him a contract extension to summer 2028.  The 21-year-old academy product has had a good season and can expect to play a bigger role in League One.

Bradley Ihionvien

“We are pleased to have secured the future of these players with the club.” Said manager Danny Cowley.  It’s unusual for a League One (as we are now) side to sign players to such long contracts and this is a sign of the ambition of the owner to develop Colchester United into a higher-level club, with a secure squad.  We know these players are going to be big for us, next season.”

Mega Academy Promotion Spree

1 July 2024

Colchester United have announced a string of promotions from the academy, into the first-team squad, in a remarkable vote of confidence in the academy system that manager Danny Cowley has been turbocharging over the last season.  The club has promoted the following EIGHT players:

• Goalkeeper Arthur Gardiner (18)
• Centre-back Manuel Alvarez (18)
• Right-back Andres Nunez (17)
• Defensive midfielder Alexander Schmitt (16)
• Left-midfielder Felipe Gonzalez (16)
• Attacking midfielder Ryan Norton (17)
• Striker Fabian Louis (16)
• Striker Xisco Aguilar (16)

This “class of ‘24” arrives with a huge degree of potential, with Aguilar considered the highest potential of them all.

“It’s been an amazing year for the under-18’s,” said Cowley.  “They are all promoted to the first team on merit and I expect that they will push the established players very hard.  You don’t get as far as they did in the Youth Cup, and push Chelsea so hard in the round they lost, and not have a chance at becoming a first-team star.”

Given the proposed sales, and the players who have already left, it seems that the graduates with the best chance of making the switch to regular first team football are defenders Alvarez and Nunez, although Fabian Louis and Xisco Aguilar certainly know their way to goal and can expect to at least make the grade as impact substitutes.

It’s certainly going to be an interesting ride, this season.

Aguilar: a massive prospect

"This might not be the end of promotions, either," said Cowley.  "We have a few others who might well be promoted as the season unfolds.  This is the owner's dream, and has been for several years.  I am pleased we can finally make it come true for him."

Player Exodus Starts

15 July

Colchester United’s player exodus has begun, with a significant number of players sold over the last few days.

The biggest transfer fee received was for Arthur Read, who moved to Championship side Coventry City for £1.05 million.  In all, the U’s have raised just over £5 million from player sales, so far, including the sale of club captain Connor Hall, who has moved to Italy.

“All of these players leave with our best wishes,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “We hope they will all find joy and satisfaction at their new clubs, and have fond memories of their time with us, including the excitement of helping us to promotion last year.”

We understand there is an imminent announcement of arrivals, as the squad looks very thin at this moment.

Free Transfers for Stingy Col U

Colchester United’s incoming players, apart from the academy promotees, have a distinctly tight-fisted look about them, at this time.

Five unattached players have joined the club in the last few days, at the same time as the club has been negotiating the sale of seven players for a combined total of £5 million.  The newcomers are:

• Centre-forward Liam Lambert (18)
• Centre-back Paolo Greco (19)
• Left back Aitor Fuentes (19)
• Centre-back Alex Parra (17)
• Right-winger Rocco Vata (18)

Manager Danny Cowley pronounced himself ‘well satisfied’ with the dealings so far, despite not spending money.  “It’s hard to spend money wisely at this level,” he said.  “We want to buy players for the long term, and young, exciting prospects at that.  That means picking up youngsters from bigger clubs.  At our level, and with our reputation not yet fully formed, it’s difficult to convince a youngster at a premier league club, for instance, to come to us.  It will happen eventually, but we aren’t there yet.

“We have had discussions with a number of targets here in the UK, and at the same kind of level abroad, but we haven’t been able to make the case yet.

“Nevertheless, these five players are going to be big for us this year; you can be certain of that.”

Fans could well be justified at being concerned with the transfer dealings so far.  It could be a long, hard campaign.  The upcoming preseason tournament in the Netherlands will show us what to expect.

Cowley:  Happy so Far

Successful Preseason for U’s – Aguilar Starring Debut

Col U had a successful preseason tournament in the Netherlands, bringing home the European International Cup with three wins.  Victories against Spata Rotterdam, Huddersfield Town and RAC Ferrol proved decisive and the U’s topped the table.

Star of the tournament, and making his senior debut, was striker Xisco Aguilar, with three goals,  He scored on his debut against Rotterdam and put two past Huddersfield Town in the next match.

Xisco Aguilar

“Xisco is going to be big for this club.”  Said manager Danny Cowley.  “His three goals at this tournament are testament to that, as all three sides we played in this competition are all at higher levels than us, and yet he performed as if he belonged on the pitch.”

Aguilar stats from end of last season, when promoted

Encouragingly, all of the goalscorers in the Huddersfield match were academy promotees, with CDM Alexander Schmitt and CAM Ryan Norton both scoring alongside Aguilar.  It's only a friendly match, but it does look encouraging for the U's that youngsters are finding their feet so quickly.

U’s fans were ecstatic and turned out in force, aided by the proximity of the venues to ‘home’; it's just a ferry ride across from the Essex coast, after all.  They were typically excited about their new striker.  “We’ve seen him in under-18 matches,” said one.  “We’ve been dying to see him in action for the first-team proper.  There’s another – Fabian Louis – who we think is going to be a star striker, too.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the season ahead.”

Just thinking about wordplays here. "Busby Babes". "Fergie Fledglings". "Cowley Cubs", perhaps?

8 new graduates and 5 teenagers as free agents on top of it. That's 13 new teenagers in the side. In my usual 24-26 player squads that would be at least 50% of the squad, if no one was sent away on loan. Interesting how this is going to turn out. And if any more summer signings are on the way...

The Vata fellow is the only one I've heard about before. He was pretty good for Celtic in my previous Rangers-save, if I'm not mistaken. I also suspect that most of the others (if not all) are generated by the game?

The Aguilar fellow looks class. The +25 growth last season is really something though, ha! Starting as a defensive player, I see, and then you did well to realize a better position for him. Good decision, it seems. I really like that this is possible now, to change positions for the youngsters. If only one could change other things too.

@JustinCase0110
Most of the freebies are game-generated.  Interestingly, players like Omari Forson are in the free agents category as well.  I scouted him in January and wanted to buy him but he was 'unwilling to move', so I watched to see if he would turn up in the freebies, and he has (he had less than 1 year left on his contract).  I haven't snapped him up, though, but I might later if he's still there.  Wouldn't you expect the game to place a free ex-United man somewhere else rather quickly?

All of the academy players are game-generated, of course. I had a really good 23-24 season in my youth scouts finding players to bring in to the academy that were going to be 'showing potential' or higher, with Aguilar being the highest of them all. I have 2-3 others I've not yet promoted as well. It's very good, really.

Aguilar was weird. He had potential of 88-94 when I brought him in, but his OVR was 38. He was a defender, and I then moved him to three different positions until his OVR finally jumped high enough to be ready to promote him. I actually moved him to ST and his OVR didn't change much. Then I moved him to CAM and it moved to something like 47, which still wasn't right. I moved him to RW and it moved up a bit more (maybe 51) and in desperation I tried ST again and he finally jumped to 60, which was a strange way of doing it. At one point, I was going to release him but I kept persisting. Why the game does this, I don't really know.
I find it difficult, in the bottom two divisions, to spend money, because anyone with proper potential (say a youngster from a Championship or Premier League side) is always 'unwilling to move at this time'. That's also true of players from the equivalent clubs on the continent. That stops happening when you get to the Championship. Sometimes you can borrow them, but hardly ever buy. It's been like this for years in the game, unfortunately.

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@CO88LER5 wrote:

I find it difficult, in the bottom two divisions, to spend money, because anyone with proper potential (say a youngster from a Championship or Premier League side) is always 'unwilling to move at this time'. That's also true of players from the equivalent clubs on the continent. That stops happening when you get to the Championship. Sometimes you can borrow them, but hardly ever buy. It's been like this for years in the game, unfortunately.

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Weird development for Aguilar. I'm surprised that his OVR didn't jump the first time he was made a striker. Crazy stuff.

I have a similar experience, as the one you mention above. A lot of players are unwilling to move, so I'm also trying a few free transfers and loan players to build a squad for the upcoming League One season (I have ended the League Two season by now, just an update or two behind on that part).

But I actually find it interesting to explore the loan market and not just sign the players I may have visualized beforehand. Takes me in a different direction, when I have these limited options.

Best Arrives for Record Transfer Fee

Best during his time at Preston

Colchester United shattered their record transfer fee for a purchase, when they landed Preston North End left wing-back Kian Best (18) for £1.9 million.  It comfortably beats the £600,000 cash purchase of Max Dean from MK Dons last January and is well ahead of the calculated £700,000 purchase (cash and exchange player) transacted with Defensor for Pablo Viudez.

“We have been monitoring Kian for a while, now and he’s happy to come to us – as we are to have him.  He’ll be a massive asset to the club, as we build a squad capable of mounting a serious challenge in League One.”  Said manager Danny Cowley.

Best was excited to explain the reasons for his move.  “The gaffer and his brother (Nicky; Danny’s assistant manager) sold the project to me with their positive strategy and promises of my role in it.  I saw the signings and promotions from the academy and it was clear to me and my agent that this is a club that values young players and is committed to developing them.

“I enjoyed my time at Preston, but now’s the time to step up to a more regular first team role, and I couldn’t be happier.”

The massive fee (for Col U anyway) should help to satisfy the fans, who have so far been underwhelmed at the fee-free nature of the club’s newcomers.

Bright Start to the Season

The U’s have opened the season with three wins – two in the league and a Carabao Cup victory over eastern rivals (as they are now) Peterborough United.

Samson Tovide carried on from where he left off last season.  He was man of the match in the two league matches and scored three goals.

If people were wondering how the summer transfer dealings would affect the line-up, they got a view in these matches.  Most of the ‘first team’ is a carry-over from last season, with Tovide, Edwards, Takahashi, Petersen, Ruiz and Labrovic continuing in what seems to be Danny Cowley’s most favoured choice – he doesn’t like the term ‘first team’.  Incoming players to that line up are Fabien Louis alongside Tovide, and an entirely new defence of academy promotees and free transfers.

We know Cowley likes to rotate two ‘first teams’, and the ‘other one’ features Max Dean up front, Chilvers, Fevrier, Viudez, Abrefa, Giraldo and Monteiro from last season (albeit that Giraldo was an academy promotee in January), with incoming players such as Aguilar accompanying Dean up front, new signing Kian Best at left back and academy promottes Felipe Gonzalez on the left Alexander Schmitt as CDM and goalkeeper Edward Forster.

The rest of the squad appears to be the impact subs at the moment.

It’s a mix of experience and ‘bloodied’ youngsters which is an interesting combination at this point.

Two More Squad Additions

Two more players have been added to the U’s squad, and both of them are ‘free’.

Goalkeeper Otto Fischer (18) has been signed as a free agent, taking the goalkeeping contingent up to 4.

“Otto came to train with the squad and we liked what we saw.  He knows he’ll primarily be a backup and will have to work to push for a regular starting spot.” Said Manager Danny Cowley.

When asked whether this meant that Labrovic could be moving on, Cowley said “If and when a decent offer comes in for Ned, from somewhere he wants to go to, then obviously, we wouldn’t block that.  I stress, however, that he’s perfectly happy being here and we are with him, so at the moment, there is nothing on the horizon.”

Attacking Midfielder Iago Miranda (16) has been promoted from the academy, further underlining the strength in that department. 

The exciting prospect joins a crowded department, with the likes of Olav Petersen, Noah Chilvers and Ryan Norton already in the squad.  “Iago had to be promoted.  He’s an exciting talent and it’s encumbent on me to make sure he gets the level of game time that’s appropriate for him to continue his development.  I’m sure the others are already looking over their shoulders; competition spurs us all on.”

5 Wins in a Row – and An Old Friend Calls

Col U made it five wins from five in League One, as they beat fellow promotees Bradford City, local rivals Peterborough United and ex-Premier League Charlton Athletic.

The Bradford match saw the debut from the bench of CAM Iago Miranda and the exciting prospect did not disappoint, scoring the last of 4 U’s goals on 88 minutes, making him an instant hit with the fans. 

“He’s going to make my job harder, isn’t he?” said Manager Danny Cowley after the match.

The match against Peterborough United saw a repeat of their previous meeting in the first round of the Carabao Cup, the U’s coming out on top with an identical 3-2 scoreline.  This time, a Col U old boy – Kwame Poku – almost undid the U’s, scoring twice from his midfield berth and generally causing chaos in the U’s defence. 

Poku Enjoys His Return

Poku moved to Peterborough in summer 2021 after playing 62 games for the U’s and it was interesting to see his development; he didn’t play in the Carabao Cup match, so this was the first time the U's have faced him since his move.  Every U’s scorer was an academy graduate in this match, underlining the strength of the academy system at the club.

Gonzalez Celebrates his Goal Against Posh

“It’s a good start, but that’s all it is,” said Cowley.  “It’s encouraging that we have competed and beaten, clubs that are big in this league, but the tests keep on coming.”

Statement signing there, breaking the previous record fee three times

Five consecutive wins, already looks like this will be a season with back to back promotions. Tovide looking class again, and a funny mention with former Colchester-player Poku scoring a brace against you. Love these former players to come back to haunt you.

I'm curious about the Iago Miranda signing. He's a youth player, who has his first name on the back of his shirt, and not the last name. I don't think I've seen that before. Have you found a way to change it by any chance, or is it something that happens sometimes with Spanish talents? I don't know, I usually scout for talents in the country, I'm playing in.

@JustinCase0110
This is the first time I've ever seen it in an academy player, across all the years I've been playing this game.

I know that, if you create a player, you can determine what name goes on the shirt, as I have created players before - for example, when I did the Man United career where we sold loads of players to prop up the Glazer empire, but Miranda isn't one I created - just signed to the academy in the middle of last season and then promoted recently.

My academy players are all doing so well, it's incredible really - better than I've ever had. I don't know what it is about this career, but it all seems to have come together. I have a number of others that will be promoted at some point; some of them next season, I hope.

I always have three scouts for the academy. There is always one in the country I'm playing in, another in Europe and a third in South America. I move them between countries as their scouting period ends. I always go for the best scouts I can afford, and sometimes, when I get 'richer', I fire a scout to appoint a better one.

I just get so much pleasure at seeing them develop. It's a big part of the game for me. Probably influenced by supporting Manchester United for so long!

The signing of Best (again, another memory for me as a United supporter) was only possible because of the £5 million-worth of sales.  I was surprised I could sign him, knowing how hard it is to attract players to the bottom two divisions in this game. 

U’s Lead the League One Table

Col U lead the League One table at the end of August, two points clear of last season’s relegated club, Rotherham United.  A 4-0 win over Blackpool kept them ahead of the Yorkshiremen, with another man-of-the-match performance from Samson Tovide.

Before that, the U’s crushed League Two Gillingham 1-6 in Kent, with star of the match being Bradley Ihionvien, who not only hit a hat-trick but also made Fox’s first goal. 

“Bradley was unplayable,” said Manager Danny Cowley.  “He’s really grabbing hold of his chances in the face of fierce competition for a starting slot.  I love it when my players make me really think.”

The table looks very rosy indeed for the U’s at this point.  “It’s early days, of course, but we have really started off well.  I’m especially pleased at the defence, which struggled last season, but our new back four is doing well.”  Said Cowley.

Samson Tovide shares joint top spot in the League One golden boot race at this early stage:

And he predictably leads the U’s scoring race, just as he did last season.

Col U Spend Some More Money!

In the daying days of the transfer window, the U’s invested some more of the money they raised through sales.

Midfielder Alex Matos (19) has signed for the U’s in a £1.3 million deal from Huddersfield Town.  Matos made one Premier League start for Chelsea before moving to Huddersfield, having also been in the Norwich City youth set-up.  He is capable of playing anywhere in midfield and therefore can expect to slot in wherever needed.

Manager Danny Cowley was pleased with the acquisition:  “Alex is just the kind of utility midfielder we have been looking for.  We invited him to look at our set up here and he’s been sufficiently impressed to want to join us.”

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge here,” said Matos.  “I know there are some really good players here and I won’t be a shoo-in to the starting eleven, but hard work has never bothered me.

“I’m here to help get this team into the Championship, and maybe even beyond.”

Asked whether any more purchases can be expected, Cowley said: “not in this window.  Whether we can do anything in January remains to be seen, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves now.  I have a great, young squad here and we need to see whether we can keep the momentum.  Young players are famous for being a bit inconsistent, so whether we need a bit of extra experience for the second half of the season, we’ll see.”

Matos’ arrival does call into question the future of midfielder Cameron McGeehan (29), who hasn’t featured much so far. 

McGeehan: Uncertain Future?

He was still at the club as the window closed, which will come as a relief to some fans, who do believe experience is going to be vital.