Si Collinson from Colchester during the U’s game versus the Spurs U21s
I really believe that Colchester United’s squad will choose themselves for this weekend’s trip to Crewe Alexandra.
Maybe a tweak in midfield, but the core of the starting XI and the lads on the bench will stay pretty much like for like and why should it not?
This brings me to tonight’s game against Tottenham Hotspur under-21s, in the EFL Trophy.
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While it is not a competition that is of much interest to fans due to the Premier League academy teams being allowed in, it does give an opportunity to rotate players and give those who are maybe not in Ben Garner’s short-term plans a chance to stake a claim for being in the matchday squad.
This, in turn will show those ‘established’ in the matchday 18 that they cannot be complacent and still need to strive to a higher level and keep the intensity up, as there are players who are after their spot.
Positive battles for selection is always a plus and can drive individuals and teams forward, as everyone is on the up.
This is where I feel Garner can win or lose that extra 10-15 per cent from the squad.
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If he leaves the same players out all the time, then they will not have the incentive to step up and those who are the favourites will think that they are untouchable and don’t need to work as hard.
Although I do not agree with the format, this is why the EFL Trophy does have it’s place and can be used as another weapon to keep the league on track, with players firing themselves to higher levels.
As much as a cup run is fun and does bring in extra revenue for the club, the most important work will be and must be done in the league.
Last weekend’s draw with Mansfield, a team unbeaten in the league so far this season, is on paper a decent result, considering how in previous years an away win would have been odds on.
However, it is testament to the change that has occurred around the club and the belief that Ben Garner has instilled that most U’s fans went home from the game feeling it was more a case of two points lost rather than a point gained.
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Inside the stadium, it was clear to all who were present that we were the better side – visiting fans and even their manager begrudgingly agreed.
We set a high tempo from the off and really only one team looked like breaking the deadlock.
The momentum paid off and Joe Taylor latched on to another fine Arthur Read pass to calmly finish for yet another goal to his name.
An interesting fact I’ve heard about our goals this season is that no player who has scored has assisted a goal and likewise, no player who has provided an assist has scored.
I’m sure that will change soon but something random to keep in mind.
With the score-line at 1-0, we pretty much controlled the game and should have put the game to bed long before their 90th-minute equaliser.
I agree there were mistakes made in the lead up to their goal, but with the standard of the performance up to that point, it would be hard to single anyone out.
What I found more worrying was that we should have and could have been few more goals to the good, before they clawed their way back in.
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The build-up play was there and some lovely, exciting football was produced, but in the final third we need to be more clinical and sharpen up on decision making.
What I mean is, there were situations where a shot or pass was on to really open up the angle, but instead an extra touch was taken and both options lost.
It resulted in us either losing the ball or having to recycle it, giving Mansfield the chance to reset and regain their shape.
I fully understand that football is so easy when watching or in hindsight after the game, but hopefully this is something we can improve on and bring it up to the level of the other aspects of our performance.
We need to continue all the positives and iron out the work on points ready for the trip to Crewe on Saturday, where another win on the road is well within our ability and keeps our momentum going.
One thing that is a given is that the fans will be behind the lads as always and in Garner, we believe. Up the U’s.
