Team News From The Colchester Camp

Last updated : 13 March 2010 By Thetashkentterror

Aidy Boothroyd
U's boss Aidy Boothroyd spoke to the Essex Couny Standard after his side's televised 0-0 draw against Brighton on Monday night, Boothroyd suggesting that the Seagulls defended very well in the game :


"If you were here and have seen us over the course of the season you will have seen we have played differently in many ways, depending on the personnel or what I thought the gameplan required. I thought in this particular game that we could upset their centre-halves, but on the night they played very well.

"There are a number of things. But I felt where we fell down the most on Monday was on the regain. What we are normally good at is when we get up the pitch and we are playing in the opposition's half, we are very good at being incisive. We are good at getting it back, keeping it and playing in the opposition's half.

"But I didn't think we got hold of it, we were rushed, we were taking one touch when we should have taken two or taking two when we should have taken three. Sometimes we were taking four when we should have taken one. So we didn't get our decision-making right on the night and that sometimes happens.

"Obviously I'm keen for defenders to play the lines, but with quality. It is not about kicking the ball, it's about passing the ball and we didn't pass it very well. We kicked a lot in the first half on Monday. In the second half we passed it better and played better as a team. We will always attack and have a go at the opposition, but there is a way that you do it."



"Nobody can get it right all the time and I heard shouts from Brighton fans, but you have to remember we are fourth and they are 16th. That's not me being disrespectful to them, far from it because I thought they were very good.

"I have had some letters over my six months here. One gentleman said he was disappointed with the way we played against Stockport at home and that we didn't play more football or do this and that. He said he might have prefered to watch Stockport so I had to write back and let him know that Stockport are in a relegation fight and we won the game 2-0.

"But it all depends on what you look at. To me, winning and results are the most important thing and to get to that you have to have good performances. Performances that are penetrative and incisive, not that are just aesthetic. There is a time to play through the thirds and a time to be direct. I think that we are growing as a team and are just getting that balance.

"We have got to a stage now where if we want to do what we want to do and aspire to get promotion, we have to go to another level. To build on our 0-0s and start being a bit more incisive. We have the players to do it."





In team news for the visitors they will be missing midfielder Kemal Izzet after he picked up his tenth booking of the season in that Brighton game, Izzet now missing away trips for the U's to both Carlisle and Walsall. While former Blues centre-half Paul Reid was also be absent as he is currently suffering from a back related problem. Better news for visitors boss Aidy Boothroyd though being that midfielder John-Joe O'Toole is likely to be fit following a foot injury.

Upfront for Colchester young striker Craig Arnott has been given squad number 35 after performing well for the U's youth and reserve sides recently. On the other side of the coin however youth team forward Jordan Pavett has this week joined Blue Square South outfit Bishop's Stortford on a work experience deal. Another player leaving the Weston Homes Community Stadium this week being former Carlisle winger Simon Hackney who has joined League Two side Morecambe on a month's loan.





The referee for tomorrow afternoon's match is Jock Waugh from Sheffield, and he will be assisted down the lines by Paul Curry from Morpeth in Northumberland and Iain Siddall from Bolton. Meanwhile the fourth official is Tony Harrington from Hartlepool.