Colchester United - League One (H) Saturday 6th September

[saddla]

On Saturday we welcome Colchester United to the Banks's, one of only 2 teams currently below us in the league 1 table.

Colchester have had a disastrous start to the season losing all their games so far with the exception of a 1-1 draw at home to Oldham on the opening day.

This run has resulted in the departure of Manager Joe Dunne and his assistant, former Saddler, Mark Kinsella . They have been replaced by the U's academy boss Tony Humes supported by former Ipswich, West Ham and Southampton central defender Richard Hall, who had previously been working with the club's under-21 side.

There have been big cuts to the playing budget at Colchester this year and they remain many pundits favourite for the wooden spoon.

West Ham Loanee George Moncur, son of hammers legend John Moncur, will probably turn out in midfield while Freddie Sears is likely to be the threat in front of goal.

The Saddlers will be without Romaine Sawyers who is still on International duty while French Striker Mathieu Manset (It's pronounced Mansay) could be inline for his home debut.

This is definitely a must win game for manager Dean Smith if he is to make anything out of this season.

[Sadders]

Really, really wish I could think differently as I want Smith to turn this around, but I just cannot see this being anything other than a 1-0 away win. It just has that 'sinking' feeling about it that we may be on the road to the end at the moment under this tenure, I don't like that! Everyone needs to get behind the lads properly and not jeer after 3 minutes if a pass goes astray or a player gives the ball away.

[JonnyOwen]

-----------------O'Donnell--------------
Kinsella---Downing---Holden---Taylor
----------------Chambers---------------
Forde-----------------------------Morris
----------------Baxendale---------------
--------Bradshaw------Manset----------

All out attack. Morris, Baxendale and Forde running at Colchester, Manset an option for crosses and Bradshaw the hard worker alongside him. J Chambers for Holden if he is fit. Hopefully with more attacking players Chambers' passing style will be less evident in slowing down our attack as we will just need him to cover the back four.

[DonningtonSaddler]

This could be make or break game for Smith. A defeat will give the "Smith Out" Thickett (I think that is the right collective noun) more impetus and gather new members. For me, it is more about the performance than the result. A good performance gives hope of turning this situation around. It is still too early to contemplate giving Smith the push, despite what other teams have done to their managers.

I am going for a 3 -1 win. Bradshaw, Manset and a pile driver from Liam Kinsella to stick it to The 'U' s for what they did to his dad.

I will keep one eye to the sky in case MPSaddler is flying over the Bezzla with a "Smith Out" banner trailing behind. :roll:

[TheSwift]

Didn't we end the last winless run with a 1-0 home win vs Colchester?

Unfortunately, as the old saying goes, lightning doesn't strike twice.

Then again most of our players don't strike twice if you catch my drift. :wink: :roll:

I'll get my coat. :oops:

[SWS1]

Oh, er, wake me up on Saturday.
:|

[Cully]

I'm afraid I am missing this and the following week's home game due to my holidays. Obviously I will leave my lucky jumper hanging up in my office to assist Smith Out with his team selection and tactics and fully expect us to have two home wins to our credit on my return.

Guesses..............Colchester - Win, Preston - Win, as someone who thinks Smith Out has had his chance here's another :D

[Leatherman]

Didn't we end the last winless run with a 1-0 home win vs Colchester?

Unfortunately, as the old saying goes, lightning doesn't strike twice.

Then again most of our players don't strike twice if you catch my drift. :wink: :roll:

I'll get my coat. :oops:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Andy_Petterson]

This one is going to be a right barrel of laughs isn't it.

Dear God please have mercy on the soul of any Walsall player who may try to find a colleague in a better position rather than take a random pot shot.

2-1 win to Walsall.

[Asps]

Glad I've given the ST away to a mature allotment holder.

We have no chance of winning this. A pub team would beat us at home.

Colchester will have new manager syndrome and will roll us over 2 or 3 nil.

Luckily I am away in my mid Wales weekend bolt hole.

[clawtheolder]

Glad I've given the ST away to a mature allotment holder.

We have no chance of winning this. A pub team would beat us at home.

Colchester will have new manager syndrome and will roll us over 2 or 3 nil.

Luckily I am away in my mid Wales weekend bolt hole.

:D :D :cry: :cry:

[kshammer]

Walsall to win 2-0 (Bradshaw with both) inspiring threads about making the play offs. :D

[Walsall_Casual]

Possession and Fair Play Champions of League One to be rolled over by a poor Colchester United side with a greater willingness to win.

Walsall 0 - 1 Colchester United

Att. 3,702 (83% of whom fell asleep at least once during the 'entertainment').

As ever, I will be there. Prove me wrong.

[NEWPORT SADDLERS DAD]

Anything less than a convincing win will put me firmly in the Smith out crew.

[windowman]

Anything less than a convincing win will put me firmly in the Smith out crew.

dont think crew want him

[Surrey Saddler]

I shall be listening on Saddlers World (if its working). I only hope we get 3 points or I shall become very pessimistic.

[BathSaddler]

Anything less than a convincing win will put me firmly in the Smith out crew.

Forget convincing. ANY win will do.

[Guest]

Anything less than a convincing win will put me firmly in the Smith out crew.

Forget convincing. ANY win will do.

Can't disagree with that.

[latviancheese]

I think the game is on WM today for anyone who cant make it.

Im feeling confident today, it wont be a classic, but i reckon we will scrape a win. Cant see a cleansheet though so ill go for 2-1

[latviancheese]

Team is O Donnell, Taylor, O Connor, Downing, Kinsella, Chambers, Flanagan, Clifford, Manset, Bradshaw and Morris.

Looks like O Connor at CB then.

And i reckon a 4 3 3 with Manset and Morris out wide?

[gerryhatrick]

Looks like O Connor at CB then.

Sinead ? Or Des ?

[latviancheese]

Looks like O Connor at CB then.

Sinead ? Or Des ?

He looks more like Sinead :oops: :oops: :oops:

[SaddlerCrewe]

The good news is that todays game will be an entertaining win for the Mighty Saddlers.

The reason - I have just got back into my house after setting off for Bescot around 12.30.

$***$$ traffic on the M6

:evil: :evil:

[Sadders]

Maybe Morris behind Manset and Bradshaw? Either way, that's a statement by Smith to drop Bax and Forde. Grimes injured, Chambers/Purkiss/Sawyers/Mantom/Cook all out or not playing for one reason or another. Squad looks as threadbare as I can ever remember a Walsall squad looking, if we win today it'l be a very good result.

Glad to see Smith drop the culprits, go for an attacking formation and throw kids in. Other managers would have got 3 emergency loans in for over the hill crap or lower end prem loans that will only benefit us for a month. Wider picture here.

[SaddlerCrewe]

Maybe Morris behind Manset and Bradshaw? Either way, that's a statement by Smith to drop Bax and Forde. Grimes injured, Chambers/Purkiss/Sawyers/Mantom/Cook all out or not playing for one reason or another. Squad looks as threadbare as I can ever remember a Walsall squad looking, if we win today it'l be a very good result.

Glad to see Smith drop the culprits, go for an attacking formation and throw kids in. Other managers would have got 3 emergency loans in for over the hill crap or lower end prem loans that will only benefit us for a month. Wider picture here.

That's what the E&S site are reporting
"Walsall have lined up with a narrow midfield 3 and Morris in a free role behind Manset and Bradshaw."

[BarnsleySaddler]

Yeovil the first to score 1-0 up at Bradford.

[latviancheese]

Sears just smashed the post, shot from nowhere.

Walsall trying to play through the middle.

[BarnsleySaddler]

Now Bradshaw hits the bar.

[latviancheese]

Bradshaw has looped a header onto the bar too.

[BathSaddler]

Maybe Morris behind Manset and Bradshaw? Either way, that's a statement by Smith to drop Bax and Forde. Grimes injured, Chambers/Purkiss/Sawyers/Mantom/Cook all out or not playing for one reason or another. Squad looks as threadbare as I can ever remember a Walsall squad looking, if we win today it'l be a very good result.

Glad to see Smith drop the culprits, go for an attacking formation and throw kids in. Other managers would have got 3 emergency loans in for over the hill crap or lower end prem loans that will only benefit us for a month. Wider picture here.

Pleased that Forde has been dropped, far from convinced about him.