Colchester United F.C – ‘Meeting the opposition’
Tranmere’s first game of the new year will follow the Whites’ long journey to Colchester. The fixture will be a league two encounter and it will be played at the Us’ JobServe Community Stadium. It is a must win for Rovers, the hosts have failed to win any of their past five. Thus, I thought it would be essential to speak to a Colchester United fan to get their views on the club’s on and off the pitch matters; amongst other subjects. I placed questions towards @TheLatestColU to do so.
How long has @TheLatestColU been supporting the U’s?
- ‘I’m only 19, so I’ve been going regularly for about ten years now. My first game was in 2007 when we were in the Championship but I remember pretty much nothing about it!’
Last season:
- ‘Under former Tranmere striker John McGreal, we finished 6th which is a playoffs position. However, we lost 3-1 to Exeter in the second leg after the game went to extra time’
Thoughts on manager:
- ‘It’s a difficult one, Steve Ball was our assistant for the last four years and became head coach in the summer. A lot of the on-pitch decisions (transfers, style of play etc) are influenced by the chairman and director of football so it can be difficult to judge managers at times. Right now it’s fair to say that he’s not pleasing fans too much as the quality of football isn’t as good as it was last season. However, he should be given the time to turn it round’.
Expectations for this campaign:
- ‘The feeling of both the fanbase and the players/staff is that we should be able to challenge for the top seven and that we are very capable of becoming a league one club again. So far, we are 12th and two points off the playoffs but I’d say most of the fans aren’t that confident right now. We are on a poor run of form. Most of the points gained have been down to hard thought defensive performances and brilliant saves by our keeper. We need to be on top of more games’.
The hosts’ ‘One to watch’:
- ‘Midfielder Noah Chilvers. The academy graduate had only made a handful of appearances before this season but has become a regular starter. He’s able to play in central midfield or in an attacking midfield role and has certainly shown his quality to play at a higher level .. for when we inevitably sell him!’
Score prediction:
- I think it’ll be a tight game, think we will have a few key players out injured but we do have a decent home record. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tranmere had most of the possession and chances. I’ll go for a 1-1 draw’.
Random fact:
- ‘The town has a rich Roman history, with a castle and an ancient wall in and around the town centre. Colchester is also the oldest recorded British town’.
Proudest moment as a supporter of Colchester United:
- ‘It definitely has to be last season’s carabao cup run. Each game was so special: winning against Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. Also, the trip to Manchester United was unforgettable. We were drawing at half time but unfortunately went on to lose. Looking back, I feel grateful that it happened whilst fans could attend’.
An opposition fan’s view on the Whites:
- ‘I’m not an expert on other clubs, but I know you are a big club for this league and you should be in league one. Tranmere were very unfortunate to go down last season with the circumstances, so I hope you do well this year and get back to where you belong’.
I would like to thank @TheLatestColU for their time answering the questions that I placed towards them. This league encounter should be an interesting occasion between two clubs who are in need of a successful result as they aim to gather positive momentum. I hope that readers enjoyed this Q+A.
Thank you very much for reading,
All the very best for the new year,
Ethan Hoijord.