Up the Us

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.

Winning Streak Continues

Col U recorded another three wins, including statement victories over serious rivals for promotion.

An opening win against Bradford City in the BSM Trophy all but guaranteed progression to the knockout rounds of the competition, with new boy Alex Matos starring in the diamond anchor position.

That was followed by wins over Rotherham United and Derby County, two teams expected to be fighting hard for promotion to the Championship.  Striker Liam Lambert starred against Derby with two goals.

Lambert MOTM against Derby

The U's dominated the match at Rotherham, with over 60% possession, and peppered the Rotherham goal with shots.

The win over Rotherham extended Col U’s lead at the top to five points already. 

Meanwhile, Colchester discovered their next opponents in the Carabao Cup – Tottenham Hotspur, at White Hart Lane. 

“It’s a test for us, for sure,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “It’s one we are really looking forward to.  Big stadium, massive crowd and one of the ‘big six’.  We can’t wait.”

U’s Top at End of September

The U’s continued to lead the League One table at the end of September, after a near clean-sweep of victories in the month.  The one blot was a draw against Wycombe Wanderers at home on 21st September.  The U’s lead Rotherham United by six points and a vastly superior goal difference.

Samson Tovide kept up his steady scoring rate, hitting the net in three matches, to place him second in the golden boot chase.

With Rotherham in 2nd place, it speaks volumes that you dominated them so massively og beat them so easily.

First points dropped vs Wycombe, but you're on a steady path to back to back promotions here. Hard to see anyone being able to stop you...

White Hart Lane 😉

Signature Carabao Cup Win Leads to Hangover

Col U recorded a historic result against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup, winning 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.  The records show that they were assisted by Dragusin’s red card, but the reality was that the Premier League table-toppers were already 2-0 down by that point, stunned by a firecracker start by the U’s, which saw Fabien Louis score in only the 7th minute and Satoshi Takahashi add to the tally 9 minutes later. 

Louis Stuns Spurs

In between the two goals, Spurs captain Heung-Min Son picked up a yellow for a nasty challenge on Olav Petersen, as Spurs apparently lost their composure even before Dragusin’s detonation. 

Dragusin Sees Red

Despite Kulusevski pulling one back before half-time, Olav Petersen restored the U’s 2-goal lead early in the second half and the U’s managed to resist the following onslaught from the 10-man Premier League team to progress to round 4.

This led to an apparent hangover in the league, which saw Burton dominate at Camulodunum, as the U’s home crowd saw another draw and then suffer a thumping at Edgeley Park, as Stockport County ran riot, winning 4-1.

“It’s been an interesting fortnight,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “I guess we got over-excited at the win against Spurs.  That’s something we have to work on, as we can’t let things slide by way of celebrations.”

One Out and Two In

Further adjustments to the U’s squad have seen two arrivals and an agreed departure.

Academy goalkeeper Isaac Blake (16) has been promoted to the first-team squad, as a reward for his performances in the under - 18s.  The exciting prospect will have to wait his turn, however, but the U’s have a lot of games to play this season.

“Isaac has a great future in front of him and we simply couldn’t ignore the signals any longer.  It’s down to me to find playing time for him.” Said manager Danny Cowley.

Also joining the club is Jesus Mancilla (19), a right-winger who has impressed whilst training with the U’s.  “Jesus was spotted by our scouts and invited to come for some training sessions.  He’s quick, a good crosser, works hard and knows where the goal is.  We had to offer him a contract.” Said Cowley.  Mancilla was unattached, and is therefore another free acquisition.

The squad is rather filling up and it must be the case that there will be departures at some point.  “We have the spectre of some of our good players being subject to bids, so we have to make sure we are well provisioned,” said Cowley.  “This is a healthy squad, with lots of options and it keeps me on my toes, trying to keep them all happy.”

One player who will be leaving is left-back Ellis Iandolo, whose transfer to Sivasspor will take place in January, for a reported £520,000.  Iandolo has fallen out of favour, with the twin threat of record signing Kian Best and academy promotee Aitor Fuentes meaning that appearances have been few and far between. 

Off to Turkey: Ellis Iandolo

“Ellis had the great experience of helping us to promotion last year, so he’s an attractive prospect for another club.  The offer was too good to resist and he’s happy to move to Turkey.  We wish him well.” Said Cowley.

Cowley: Lots of Players to Keep Happy

The reshaping of the squad seems to be continuing.  “Football never stands still,” said Cowley.  “Over time, there will be more ins and outs.  Of that you can be sure of any club.”

Justin..., I mean: Stockport to give you first severe beating this season - ouch!

Still, comfortably on course for promotion to The Championship: keep calm and go on

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@CO88LER5 wrote:
I've rarely seen an opposition team at this level be so dominant. I just couldbn't get the ball and, when I did, they intercepted everything.

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They must have a really good coach 😉 Haha... Beating Spurs, then losing 4-1 to County, that's surprising... 

A Brace of Braces          

Xisco Aguilar was the star of the second half of October, scoring twice in two consecutive league matches.

He scored twice in 9 minutes against Plymouth, a match in which the U’s recovered their form after the 4-1 thrashing by Stockport, and then scored a brace in 14 minutes in the second half of the 5-0 romp at Exeter, which also saw two goals from fellow academy graduate Fabien Louis.

“Xisco is really finding his feet in this division, now,” said manager Danny Cowley.  “He’s a very bright prospect indeed and I can only see him getting even better.”

The U’s finished off the league month with a 2-1 win against ‘Hollywood’ Wrexham, via a second-half strike from Fabien Louis. Which took his tally for the season to 6 from 11 games in all competitions.  This was despite Wrexham dominating the game:

“Fabien is another who is adjusting well to professional football, and I expect this trend to continue as the season unfolds,” said Cowley.

The U’s continue to top the table, leading Rotherham United by 5 points. 

Of note also is that the U’s now have the best defence in the division; something that Cowley said “we have been working on.”  Whether that continues is to be seen, but the new-look defence does seem to have gelled now.

Samson Tovide remains the main goalscorer for the team, although the two academy graduates are beginning to put pressure on him.  It’s a healthy place to be.