I just thought that would be the team due to what I see at the training ground as Martin Allen seemed to focus on them more than others.
At least she might have scared Colchester's left side attack. Frank Butcher might have stayed a little closer to whoever our Butcher was supposed to be marking. I did say a few weeks ago that we were too light in terms of proper cover in fullback positions. Another team with better strikers than Colchester would have had a field day today - they were so wasteful.
Gillingham 0-1 Colchester United I was really looking forward to the match against Colchester United as it was our first game back in League One as I arrived in the stadium and took to my seat I was optimistic about what could happen in the game as I thought that maybe we would put on a good show and win the game however we did not get the result that I was hoping for. I was hoping that we could maybe get a 2-1 win or a 1-0 win however it did not seem to be our day as we just did not seem to have much luck in front of goal. I thought that maybe Kedwell would get a goal with it being his birthday and when he took a shot from around 25 yards out I thought it was going in only be saved by Sam Walker in the Colchester United goal, it was not his lucky day. However then I thought maybe if we are not going to score we would hold on and as we got towards the end it looked like it would be a draw but then Colchester United broke forward yet again and Andrew Bond who had only just come on around 2 minutes before this attack managed to finish off an attack by Colchester United to make sure that they would win 0-1. This was very annoying as I thought that although we did not play great that we could get a share of the points as I thought we had more chances in the game to get a goal. This is my thoughts on each of the individual players. Nelson 7- I thought that Nelson had a good game and he pulled off a couple of very good saves, if it hadn’t have been for him it could have been 0-2 or 0-3 as he did make some great saves to make sure that we were still in the game until the end when we conceded. Fish N/A- Can’t really give him a rating as he picked up an injury in the 3rd minute and he did not do anything before that time, hopefully he is OK as it looked bad and I would be gutted if he is out for a while as he is a very important player. Legge 8- He was named man of the match and I do agree that we was one of the best players for us because he worked really hard and made sure that Colchester did not get too many chances to score. He was very good in the air and was very strong and played a lot better than he had during Pre-Season. Barrett 7- I think that Barrett had a decent game and he worked hard also having to work with Legge to cover Right Back where Butcher was struggling, Barrett got stuck in and made a couple of very important tackles and commanded well. Martin 6- I think that Martin was decent however he did not have his greatest game as he did not get to break forward much or do too much in the game. Gregory 7- I think that Gregory was good in this match, although he looked nervous which was a shame as that did affect his game a bit as he took too much time to pass the ball at times and also hesitated however I still think he did well as he did make a few good tackles and he will play better than this as I feel he was nervous with it being his first game in League One. I think that he was better in Pre-Season as he wasn’t that nervous anymore so he needs to try and get rid of his nerves. I think that some people are harsh on Gregory as he is a very good player and is very important for us, I feel that he will get better and better and that his passing will improve as well as his confidence as I feel that he is not that confident in himself which will not improve unless the fans back him as I feel that the fans are not helping him with his confidence. Whelpdale 6- I think that Whelpdale had a mixed game; he did break forward a few times however it was an average game for him. Linganzi 7- I think that Linganzi is a class player and I am looking forward to seeing him more this season, although he did start the game with a few sloppy mistakes he did get better as the game went on and did start to make some very good passes which I think is the main reason why he will be so important for us as he can make some great passes. I am hoping that he continues to improve and that he can try and cut out the mistakes that he has made as he could be a great player for us this season. Lee 7- I think that Lee had a very good game and showed why we should keep him, he had to work extra hard with Butcher struggling and also broke forward a number of times. I think that Lee should stay as he is someone who will always give 100% and he defiantly gave 100% in this game. Kedwell 8- I think that Kedwell was very good and proved why he will be important for us this season. Danny had really improved his game from last season and played well both attackingly and defensively. I thought he was going to score from 25 yards when he hit a volley however he did not score sadly. It is so good that he has lost a bit of weight and he is sharper than ever. McDonald 6- I don’t think that Cody had a great third debut, however he will get sharper as we play more, I thought he may score as he broke the Colchester defence however he could get a good enough sight on goal. Subs Butcher 5- I don’t want to be too critical of Butcher however I am not sure that he is ready, he is only young however I think bringing him on in the 3rd minute was too early as he may have been better to come on late on. I think that he was very nervous and he did get ripped to shreds by Freddie Sears who is a brilliant player. I hope that Butcher can improve because if Fish is out I hope that he could take his place as I would like to a young player come through however I am not sure that he is ready and I think maybe we need to bring in someone on loan for a while if Fish is out. Weston 6- I think that Weston did well when he come on however he should have scored when he got the ball in the box, it was such a shame that he couldn’t put the ball away as that would have changed the game and we have even held on and won the game. Akinfenwa 5- Did not show much reason as to why he should be in the team, he may be strong with his upper body however once the ball got down to his feet it was taken so we wasn’t effective as he does not turn quick enough and he does not seem like he will cause much of a threat on the oppositions goal. Overall I was not too happy with the result however it was the first game and I will forget about it as long as we play better, I think that it was between Nelson, Legge and Kedwell for man of the match and although Legge was chosen for man of the match I think that Kedwell was man of the match as he worked really hard attackingly as well as getting back.
