Colchester vs Barnsley

[Saddlerrad]

Well after a tough start to the season for both sides, you would expect this to be quite a close game. Barnsley with the slightly better squad you would say, but Colchester have some very good attacking players at this level. The big question remains, can they sort of the terrible defensive issues? Will Johnson turn it around at Barnsley? They have been performing slightly better in recent weeks.

All match discussion here please.

 

[Jamo]

Have to win this one. If ever there was a time for Johnson to prove he can turn things round, it's tomorrow. No more excuses, no more what ifs, just come back with 3 points.

 

[dedwardp]

Over 2.5 goals, both teams to score. 1-3 Barnsley.

 

[Jamo]

Not far off, huge 3 points that despite contriving to balls it up.

Sat like this for about 20 minutes

 

[dedwardp]

Disgraceful first half, much better in the second. Well on top for the second half but, as usual, conceded the third with Barnsley's only chance after the break. Missed a hatful of chances and probably deserved a point in the end for the second half alone, but can't afford to go three down before you decide to turn up.

Bringing Porter on and changing to two up front at half-time made such a difference, Porter was our MOTM by a mile. First time I've seen us play two up front for years I reckon and it was so much more effective.

52 goals conceded in 21 games tells its own story though. Pathetic and we are doomed at present.

 

[Jamo]

Expected us to throw it away once it got to 3-2, but we got the bit of luck we've been missing most of this season and held on.
We seem to have similar problems in that we've got some decent attacking players but defensively we're both absolute cack. Reckon that if we both bring in some solid defenders in January we'll have a decent second half to the season.

 

[dedwardp]

Expected us to throw it away once it got to 3-2, but we got the bit of luck we've been missing most of this season and held on.
We seem to have similar problems in that we've got some decent attacking players but defensively we're both absolute cack. Reckon that if we both bring in some solid defenders in January we'll have a decent second half to the season.

Fingers crossed. Your recent form has picked up to be fair, so I'm sure you're already on your way towards midtable.

Last season for us the key for survival was signing firstly Kaspars Gorkss, and then replacing him with Bongani Khumalo. Big, experienced centre halves who could organise us at the back and lead by example. We desperately need one, if not two, centre halves of that ilk in January. If we don't, I can't see us tightening up enough to have any hope of survival. If we do, we should be comfortably around 15th-ish.

 

[Jonny12]

How has Colchester not even signed a defender on loan? Even if you're at the end of your wage budget you are able to bring a couple of emergency loans in? Bizzare.

If you lose Harriott it may be a blessing in disguise if you use the wage left by him to bring some competent defenders in, but even then he is your best player by quite a distance.

 

[dedwardp]

How has Colchester not even signed a defender on loan? Even if you're at the end of your wage budget you are able to bring a couple of emergency loans in? Bizzare.

If you lose Harriott it may be a blessing in disguise if you use the wage left by him to bring some competent defenders in, but even then he is your best player by quite a distance.

Apparently there was "none out there". To be fair, we were supposed to be signing one on the loan deadline day when Humes left but it obviously fell through.

If Harriott returns to Charlton in January (which he will) then we will still bring in a replacement for him too, he wouldn't be blocking a defender coming in if he were to stay. Even without Harriott we would be fine going forward though, as good as he is.