Perfect Start For Aidy? - Saints Preview

AIDY BOOTHROYD'S first game as Colchester United manger takes him to the South Coast with a tough fixture against Southampton ahead.

Boothroyd has a impressive career record against the Saints and will be looking for an immediate impact from his new U's side.

Despite Alan Pardew's team sitting eight points adrift at the foot of League One - due to a hefty ten-points deduction - following last season's relegation, they are sure to provide a tough test.

Pre-Match Build-Up From Boothroyd To Follow...

Pardew: U's + Aidy Are An Unknown Quantity

Saints chief Pardew said: 'I`m not sure what I`m going to get.

'Aidy will come in and I think throw a couple of his ideas into the team straightaway, so that`s going to be an unknown quantity to us.

'I`m not sure where Aidy is at the moment in terms of the way he wants to play.'

The Saints new signing Radhi Jaidi is likely to miss out - due to a work permit issue.

However, fellow new-boy Papa Waigo N'Diaye, a highly-rated forward, may feature.

Tricky winger Lee Holmes return to the fold, along with team-mate Joseph Mills.

After compounding the departure of boss Paul Lambert, by jumping ship to the U's divisional rivals, Hammond will be looking to help his new team take three points against his former employers. Whats the betting he'll score, then, hey?

Diminutive midfielder Kem Izzet faces a late fitness check on a back injury, picked up midweek, against Gillingham.

If he is deemed unfit, than loan signing John-Joe O'Toole is likely to partner David Fox in the centre-of-midfield, although Anthony Wordsworth impressed there on Tuesday night.

Defensive duo Marc Tierney and Pat Baldwin both missed the U's JPT Cup clash but should return.

Knee-injury victims Paul Reid and Jamie Guy both miss out, after long lay-offs.

Right-sided full-back Lee Beevers (shoulder) is unavailable, along with striker Steven Gillespie (hamstring.)

I was thinking Kevin Lisbie - after a lightening start to the campaign - John-Joe O'Toole - following a deadline-day loan move - or Anthony Wordsworth - who put in a fantastic performance during the JPT... But Its fair to say whoever boss Boothroyd picks in his first U's starting line-up will be keen to impress - and in the process pin down a regular spot.

Colchester 1-1 Southampton

Layer Road

Colchester: Dean Gerken, Karl Duguid, Pat Baldwin, Adam Virgo (Bela Balogh,) Danny Granville, Mark Yeates, Luke Guttridge, Johnnie Jackson, Kevin McLeod, Clive Platt, Kevin Lisbie (Jamie Guy.)

Subs Not Used: Mark Cousins, Teddy Sheringham, Anthony Wordsworth.

Goals: Platt 47

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Andrew Davies, Alan Bennett, Wayne Thomas, Jermaine Wright, Jhon Viafara (Adam Hammill,) Andrew Surman, Youssef Safri, Jason Euell, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Grzegorz Rasiak,) Stern John.

Subs Not Used: Bartosz Bialkowski, Darren Powell, Gregory Vignal.

Goals: Viafara 19

Attendance: 6,157

Referee: J Singh

Date: 26/12/2007

Referee: Graham D Scott - Oxfordshire

Assitants: P C Martin and N Radford

Fourth Official: A Davies

StevieG Col U's prediction: I'll go for a 2-0 U's win!

Have you got a score prediction for the match? Let us know with a comment below, or chat about this article in the forum.

Who? Swindon Town

Where? The County Ground

When? 12/09/2009






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