1 week Ago
Colchester United fan Si Collinson with his latest views on the U's DANNY Cowley cut a very forlorn figure as he thanked the Colchester United away fans for their support, after what can only be described as a disastrous loss at Salford. There's no escaping the fact that the U’s faithful that went to the game up in Manchester were expecting more. Granted, there has been an increase in expectations with the play-offs looking a very real prospect.
But take the result out of the equation and I believe the majority of Colchester fans would have travelled back down the M6 happy with a top-half finish and progress from recent years. READ MORE: Former Colchester United skipper lifts first club trophy What happened up there was a result of missing key players and those that were available showing the effects of a long season. While I do not necessarily buy into fatigue as an excuse, it will have an impact if you are playing teams who have three or four more fully fit players to call upon, allowing better rotation.
While we are clearly missing Lyle Taylor, I personally think the biggest loss to us has been Jamie McDonnell. As the saying goes, never fall in love with a loan player. He has been one that the U’s faithful have taken into their hearts and for good reason, too.
When McDonnell joined in the summer on loan from Nottingham Forest, was very an unknown player to most but soon emerged and earned a regular place in the holding midfield role. (Image: STEVE BRADING) He is everywhere, screening the defence and making recovery run that others would not even think to make. When he's on the pitch, everyone seems to give that bit extra by following his example of putting everything into every game.
I'm not accusing others of slacking or not giving 100 per cent; it's just that he seems to bring out that extra ten per cent by pure force of his physical game. He seems to win every header and allows others to go forwards, knowing he has it covered, while at the same time helping plug gaps in the defence as needed. READ MORE: Mandela Egbo makes U's play-off vow ahead of final game Granted that is the role of a holding player, but he makes it look so easy and while others may have different views, I think he is one of the best players we have seen in a U’s shirt.
He may not be all about the flicks and tricks, but he sure does his job and to the highest levels. Sadly, he will leave us in the summer to return to Forest and it will be interesting to se where he goes next. A loan spell higher up may be the order of the day, before making it into the first team either at Forest or at another top-flight club.
McDonnell will be a very hard act to follow and it's almost easier to look for a different type of player, rather than a direct replacement to fill those big shoes. (Image: FOCUS IMAGES LTD) I don't think he'll be the only one leaving Colchester, with several players out of contract. For me, we need to keep Owura Edwards, Ellis Iandolo and Fiacre Kelleher and give Lyle Taylor another year, even if he does not necessarily play as much.
He will be a voice that will carry in the dressing room and someone who can influence the team without actually playing. Then go out and get Kyreece Lisbie’s brother Kyrell from Braintree and I think we will be off to a decent start, in preparation for next year. READ MORE: U's still have plenty to celebrate despite Salford sorrow There will be others with different ideas and as always in football, some curveballs thrown in, so it will be an interesting summer for sure.
However, there's still the little matter of our final game of the season. Barrow are the visitors to North Essex and it is a game that could still be pivotal, as there's the slim outside chance we could still reach the play-offs. We must win and hope three other results go our way but as they say, it's not over until it's over.
Up the U’s..
