A very useful 3 points after the Walsall and Forest Green results. Hope we repeat this in the cup. One other thing - Josh Doherty - ANOTHER yellow card?!
Jeckyll and Hyde Crawley again - about as bad as we’ve been in recent times in the first half but good enough to win when Colchester foolishly sat back in the second half.
Colchester won the tactical battle early on, notice how they played a lopsided formation attacking Doherty‘s flank and exposing the gap between him and Lubala.
I would applaud Cioffi’s switch to 4 4 2 and sacrificing the defensive midfielder but alas both Ferguson and Camera were below par and losing too many second balls. The new partnership up front didn’t work early on either and Lubala had one of his more ineffective games. The goal was galling, too many cheap corners conceded and the usually excellent Dallison having an awful five minute spell including getting done by the Colchester skipper for the goal.
Allarakhia I thought was probably our best player with the rest of the team not clicking. But taking him off changed the game because Ash had a superb cameo when he came on, the Colchester defenders constantly in reverse gear against him and settling to defend the lead.
We deserved the win, two off the same post as well. Lewis Young putting in a fine cross. The full back spots have been a problem for us this season and Doherty had his usual mixed bag today so happy for Lewis.
Bloomfield is a great worker and he took his goal superbly but I do think Ollie still offers more threat on the floor and takes more defenders away from Lubala.
So we are 9th and I don’t think we deserve to be any higher than that, given there is still an inconsistency in our performances.
Very poor first half but pretty good second. Felt having Young in made a big difference. Ideally Francomb would play there when fit, but they are our best two full backs.
I thought we didn't play the conditions well first half and it was as bad as it's been this season. Colchester deservedly had the lead despite not looking anything special.
Second half we bossed the game completely, Morris hardly did any work and their keeper was arguably the best player on the pitch in the second half despite conceeding two.
Still wish they would leave one or two up for corners or def free kicks. We were doing it earlier in the season. The issue to me is that if we belt it clear it comes right back whereas if we had someone up to challenge and make a nuisance we have a chance of winning the ball and going on the attack.
Had a feeling we would scrape through this one. Col Utd is always a tight game. Great performance from RGC and also Young. Think the centre back pairing is possibly best we’ve had for a long time. Sort out the flanks, not just personnel at full back but given them adequate support and we can become much more solid without sacrificing our attacking intent. Well done Cioffi as well.
Still wish they would leave one or two up for corners or def free kicks. We were doing it earlier in the season. The issue to me is that if we belt it clear it comes right back whereas if we had someone up to challenge and make a nuisance we have a chance of winning the ball and going on the attack.
I always favour having some sort of "get out option", maybe Pooch as he can scrap & run...?
Also worth mentioning that Palmer is always a good man to have around when defending set plays, the ball seems to regularly find him.