Essex Derby - Preview

THIS IS the most eagerly awaited fixture of the season, as Colchester United welcome Essex rivals Southend United to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The U's have lost their last two games, following a nine match unbeaten run, and will be looking to re-capture that impressive form tomorrow.

The Shrimpers put in a disappointing display on Tuesday night and will also be looking to find some consistency.

Colchester boss Paul Lambert told the club's official website: 'We've had the two defeats, but we're not going to let it blight what the lads have achieved over the previous couple of months.

'And we're not going to change things dramatically on the back of two games. The lads have done really well and we are certainly ready for Saturday's game, it's going to be a great one for us.

'We know how much it means to the supporters and the people of Colchester.

'Derby games are important to everyone and the players are really eager for this match to arrive and to make the most of the atmosphere.

'There is no doubt we're ready for it. We want to go out and win this game.'

Defender Paul Reid misses out through suspension so Matt Heath or Chris Coyne will come in.

Record signing Steven Gillespie returns to the squad following a calf injury, but John White (shoulder) and Johnnie Jackson (chest) are both out.

U's squad: Walker, Cousins, Maybury, Tierney, Heath, Coyne, Baldwin, Perkins, Hammond, Izzet, Wordsworth, Hackney, Vernon, Platt, Wasiu, Gillespie, Yeates, Gobern, Guy.

The U's youth academy product was handed only his second ever start in a blue and white striped shirt last weekend and will be looking to perform well once again.

Striker Francis Laurent returns after an ankle injury for the visitors.

James Walker (hamstring) and Alex Revell (broken leg) are both unavailable.

After joining The Blues on loan he will be looking to build on his goal last weekend, in the twenty-ninth biggest rivalry in English Football.

Southend 3-3 Colchester

Venue: Roots Hall

Southend: Federici, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Harding (Sankofa 46), Betsy, Sawyer, Christophe, Robson-Kanu (McCormack 82), Laurent (Scannell 76), Revell.

Subs Not Used: Grant, Walker.

Goals: Clarke 8, Laurent 13, Barrett 90.

Colchester: Gerken, White, Coyne (Heath 24), Baldwin, Jackson, Yeates, Izzet, Hammond, Perkins, Vernon (Wasiu 69), Platt (Wordsworth 74).

Subs Not Used: Cousins, Ifil.

Booked: Coyne, Hammond, Jackson, Wordsworth, Wasiu.

Goals: Jackson 35, Yeates 71, Wordsworth 81.

Attendance: 8,920

Referee: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).

Referee: Kevin K Wright (Cambridgeshire)

Assistants: S J Ross and R Lee

Fourth Official: G S Evetts

StevieG Col U's prediction: I'll go for a 3-1 U's win!

What do you think the score will be? Lets us know in the space provided below!

The U's entertain Stockport County on Tuesday night, while The Shrimpers host Scunthorpe United.

Get my banner code or create a flash banner

Use your social login to comment on front page articles. Login using you Facebook, Twitter, Google or LinkedIn accounts and have your say!

Writer: StevieG Col U 

Date:Friday February 20 2009

Time: 11:54AM

Your Comments

Stop with the score predicting! Lol

ooohhJohnnieJackson

I never get it right but it's a bit you have to put in when you write out a preview!!! Sorry!!! LOL

StevieG Col U

Play off place has gone now I think. Another poor ref!

ooohhJohnnieJackson

 

Have Your Say

In order to post your thoughts and comments you must be logged in. You can do that with your Vital Football account details OR via your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google passwords.

Log in...

with your social network     OR     with your Vital account

Username:

Password:

Need to Register? Forgotten details?

Recent Articles

Valuable Experience For Young U's (Monday May 27 2013)

Familiar Faces In U's Return? (Saturday May 25 2013)

Dunne Expects Late Transfers (Saturday May 25 2013)

Watt Was That, Kinsella? (Friday May 24 2013)

Ibehre Thanks U's Support (Friday May 24 2013)

Dunne Ready For 'Strongest' League One (Wednesday May 22 2013)

Dunne Snaps Up Eastmond (Tuesday May 21 2013)

Less Travelling For The U's (Monday May 20 2013)

Eastman Reflects On Carlisle (Tuesday May 14 2013)

Ibehre Set To Stay With U's? (Monday May 13 2013)

Archived Articles

Vital Colchester Articles from 2005
Vital Colchester Articles from 2006
Vital Colchester Articles from 2007
Vital Colchester Articles from 2008
Vital Colchester Articles from 2009
Vital Colchester Articles from 2010
Vital Colchester Articles from 2011
Vital Colchester Articles from 2012
Vital Colchester Articles from 2013

League Results (view all)

Latest Results

League Table (view table)

Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
2. Brentford	0	0	0	0	0	0
3. Bristol City	0	0	0	0	0	0
4. Carlisle	0	0	0	0	0	0
5. Colchester	0	0	0	0	0	0
6. Coventry	0	0	0	0	0	0
7. Crawley	0	0	0	0	0	0
8. Crewe	0	0	0	0	0	0

Breaking League News

RUFC - Reaction From The Alex » Rotherham : 20/06/2013 08:34:00

RUFC - Stadium To Host Annual Meet » Rotherham : 20/06/2013 08:29:00

Saddlers Gone Global - Dubai » Walsall : 20/06/2013 08:28:00

Opening Day Opponents Aiming High » Coventry : 20/06/2013 06:00:00

Robinson Signs New 12 Month Deal » Tranmere : 19/06/2013 21:56:00

Horwood Joins Until 2015 » Tranmere : 19/06/2013 21:50:00

Foster Signs Two Year Deal » Tranmere : 19/06/2013 21:46:00

Current Site Poll (view all polls)

Click here to suggest a poll...

Which area needs most strengthening this summer?

Suggested By:

Goalkeeper 25% Defence 23% Midfield 23% Attack 29%