Leggi Look At: Col U
By Leggi
April 4 2008
Singing The Blues messageboarder Leggi is back again giving us a look at Town's opposition, on saturday its Colchester United at Layer Road.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Saturday 5th April, Layer Road, Kick-off 15:00
The U's were formed in 1937 and play their home games at the 6,340 capacity, Layer Road Stadium, although they are moving to the new 10,000 all-seater Community Stadium at Cuckoo Farm in time for next seasons kick-off.
Managed by former Town Midfielder, Geraint Williams, they were promoted to the Championship in 2006, they enjoyed their highest ever league position last season, ending 10th in the second tier, but that great season, meant other clubs came sniffing for their talent and free scoring pair Jamie Cureton and Chris Iwelumo (amongst others) were sold in the close season.
This term started brightly for Colchester, only losing 1 of the opening 7 games, but 'second season syndrome' soon arrived and they have struggled ever since.
They have only won 2 of their last 23 games and defeat on Saturday will (all but a miracle) mean they can fight no longer in The Championship.
Despite scoring 55 goals this season (only 7 teams can better that) its the defence that has been woeful, having shipped a massive 76.
The U's are stranded in 24th place on 33 points, 27 behind 7th placed Town. Colchester beat Ipswich in this same fixture last season 1-0. This seasons first encounter, saw an Ipswich win, goals from Danny Haynes, Jon Walters and Liam Trotter helped Town to a comprehensive 3-1 victory.
Form guide
(10th) Ipswich P6 W2 D3 L1
(24th) Col Utd P6 W0 D1 L5
*Match fact* This is only Towns 2nd League visit to Layer Road since 1957.
OUR LEAGUE RECORD AT LAYER ROAD
Played: 7
Won: 2
Drawn: 3
Lost: 2
Goals:
For: 8
Against: 8
Our biggest win is by 2 goals to one in December 1953, Billy Reed and John Ellsworthy scoring for Ipswich in the Division 3(south) game.
Both Colchester's wins have been by 1 goal to nil. The Highest attendance came in 1957, 18,559 turned up to watch a 0-0 draw. The lowest gate (6,065) witnessed last seasons encounter between the teams.
Our leading all-time scorers are, Allenby Driver, Billy Reed, George McLuckie and Ted Phillips with 3 goals each. Danny Haynes is amongst 6 players who've scored twice.
A massive 51 players have represented both clubs, they include, Kevin Beattie, Ray Crawford, Jason Dozzell, Ted Phillips and Mick Stockwell.
Leggi's player to fear is 29 year-old Striker Kevin Lisbie, who ended a 12 year stay with Charlton to join The U's last summer. The Jamaican international made Colchester only his 2nd permanent club, after having loan spells whilst at Charlton, with Gillingham, Reading, QPR, Norwich, and Derby. He has netted 15 goals this season, making it his best ever return, and is currently Colchester's leading marksman.
Leggi predicts: A very, very important game for both clubs and for different reasons, this is going to be a lot harder than it looks. Both teams HAVE to win this, and I feel it may be home advantage that counts, Colchester were seconds away from beating high flyers West Brom at The Hawthorns last week and that shows how determined Williams and his squad are to stay in this division.
We have struggled against nearly every team at the bottom this season and I can't see a change to that stat here, I hope we come out all guns blazing, but I doubt we will. This is Col U's Cup Final and I think they're gonna ruin our promotion dream.(Hope I'm wrong though)
2-1 to (last seasons) Pride of Anglia.
Got a prediction for the game? Leave it below.
I've gotta laugh (or I'd cry)
We were even 5hitter than my prediction (at least I gave us a goal) Jim and Klug out and take yer sloppy excuses with you!!!!