Just back from watching the game, disappointing 0-1 loss to a good Colchester U side, who were a much more physical team than City. CU dominated the first half exchanges and gave the City's defense endless problems, and finally CU scored through Issa who finished well from the right side of the area into the top right-hand corner. 0-1 at half time was a fair result of the play. Pennock was obviously not happy with the 2 centre backs as Barkworth and Rodgers were taken off and Ter Holst and Maslen-Jones came on before the 2nd half started. City was much better in the 2nd half got the ball forward more and were on the front foot for most of the half, but even though numerous crosses came into the box, for the most part, CU dealt with them comfortably. Didn't create any clear cut chances, nearest was Bowen header in the first half which went over the bar and yours truly made a fine catch. So out of the cup at an early stage after getting the to final last season, which I am sure will be a disappointment to Pennock. #pennockout
Cheers john. I didnt know it was on. I went and watched a local game on the park today. Woulda gone if I'd known. Who went to CB then? I'm sure that Issa scored against us last season. Looked a decent larker then.
I think it's a mini league, despite being called a Cup game. The fixtures were featured in yesterday's programme, we have Manchester City and one other, alongside ColU. IIRC.
You did, you told us all last week. Seems to be a group stage cup game, we're not out of it yet. Ah second bit of my post is not here, anyway the list of cup games is on the second page of the U23 v Watford thread.
Guardian picks out up and coming young players to watch out for, Ahmed Salam of City being one of them. I have seen him 2 or 3 times and he looks to be a real talent. https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ents-at-premier-league-clubs?CMP=share_btn_tw
Highlights of the game, including my safe hands catching the ball over the bar 2 minutes into the Video
Mannion looks the real deal, so far looks very good, better than Watson in my opinion, and he is not bad. I really like Edwards, big and strong a hold-up type player, but has a goal in him. Different to what other forwards we have in the U23's.
The age of the team I would guess is lower than last term. Quite a few older players left like Dixon and Clappison to York, Clarke is at Cambridge on loan, Aimson went to Blackpool during last season. We look weak at centre back at the moment, and that is our Achilles heel. Batty/Tymon/Olley/Mannion are the stand out performers at the moment.
