Colchester build up

Another big game for us

Colchester United's push for the play-offs continues on Saturday, as they host Plymouth Argyle at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

With three games to go, the Colchester remain within two points of the top seven and there's all to play for this Saturday.

Colchester have the second best home record in League Two and take on an Argyle side with the best record on the road this season.

It promises to be a big game, with Argyle also still chasing the title after being promoted on Easter Monday.

Ground

Away fans are normally housed in the northern part of the JobServe Stand, which is situated on one side of the stadium. Around a thousand supporters can be accommodated in this area. For Clubs with a larger travelling support then the Roman Cars Stand (the North End), where up to 2,000 supporters can be seated, is allocated instead. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities and view of the playing action are good. The stands are particularly steep, meaning that fans are kept close to the pitch and resulting in good sight lines. A varied range of food is available on the concourses, including Cheesburgers (£3.40), Hot Dogs (£3.30), Cornish Pasties (£3.10), Chicken Balti Pies (£2.90), Steak & Ale Pies (£2.90), Cheese & Onion Pasties (£2.90) and Sausage Rolls (£2.90). Adam Hodson a visiting Stockport County fan tells me; 'The ground is equipped with electronic turnstiles. The stadium is very similar to Shrewsbury's New Meadow with all four stands being of similar height'. John Hill a visiting Huddersfield Town fan adds; 'One pleasing feature was that at 6'2", I was still okay for leg room, which is not always the case at some other grounds. We caught the shuttle bus from the station and it worked surprisingly well. We got to the ground easily, and afterwards they let the buses out of the car park before cars, which led to a fairly swift return to the station and an easy getaway'. Peter Clark an Ipswich Town fan adds; 'There is no facility to pay cash at the turnstiles, so you have to buy your tickets from the Ticket booth if you haven't already bought them in advance'.

Mick Hubbard informs me; 'The ground is not in a great place. Like Chester in the past, the club has been dispatched to a far-flung part of town, sitting the the edge of a new business park, surrounded by wasteland.  Although the facilities were excellent, it is quite a depressing location for a "community" club'. Tony Cannan a visiting Plymouth Argyle supporter warns; 'Be careful when climbing the stairs to your seat row in the stand itself. It's very easy to misjudge these steps and lose your footing'. Whilst Sparky a visiting Bradford City fan adds; 'We always look forward to going to a game in Colchester, as we stay overnight in Clacton-on-Sea and then take the train into Colchester and back. The train journey time from Clacton is around 30 minutes.'

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Grey area N1 to N5 and E1 to E4 seems to be reserved for Argyle fans, as they are not on sale online for home fans.

You can also reserve a parking space from £6 to £10

I will be there.

You could use the park and ride up the road for £3.

The real pressure is off for Argo as it's job done. Anything else is a bonus. Colchester simply have to win to stand any chance of a play-off place so tons of pressure on them. Argo can play with free abandonment.

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

Freathy wrote:

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

Lol

Les Miserable wrote:

Freathy wrote:

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

Lol

I like it, Freathy as been turned, one game and he has been turned green

1-4 to Argyle. Don't think we'll lose another this season.

Ghosts of Peterborough.
A day of infamy.

Tgwu wrote:

Les Miserable wrote:

Freathy wrote:

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

Lol

I like it, Freathy as been turned, one game and he has been turned green

Took a while but he got there.

Freathy wrote:

The real pressure is off for Argo as it's job done. Anything else is a bonus.  Colchester simply have to win to stand any chance of a play-off place so tons of pressure on them.  Argo can play with free abandonment.

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

I'm going to have to put my iPad in for repair. There's some anomaly cropped up here.

Geddon Freathy

would imagine we will sell full allocation although its a bugger of a place to get to the only ground i ever missed a kick off on travel club must have been late 70's

Not going this time but went on the only previous visit to their current ground. Decent pub - The Bricklayers - very near Colchester North station and close to the shuttle buses. Big outdoor space and good beer. Home fans pub but would be OK without colours.

The ground is soulless and in the middle of nowhere.

Be good to get another win and put pressure on bad loser Ferggie to take the league title , wouldn't it?
COYG

Freathy wrote:

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

This is a local game for me, but disappointingly a shift change due to my recent promotion means I have to work. I shall be driving past the ground on the way home just as the final whistle is blown. Oh well.

Congratulations Frank. It's good to be appreciated in the workplace.

A sicky

Frank Bullitt wrote:

This is a local game for me, but disappointingly a shift change due to my recent promotion means I have to work. I shall be driving past the ground on the way home just as the final whistle is blown. Oh well.

Promotion? Someone must have put in a good word for you,

Frank Bullitt wrote:

This is a local game for me, but disappointingly a shift change due to my recent promotion means I have to work. I shall be driving past the ground on the way home just as the final whistle is blown. Oh well.

I wouldnt worry about this one frank..it a be kinda  after the lord mayors show ..the players are proberly on holiday mode as we speak

RegGreen wrote:

Frank Bullitt wrote:

This is a local game for me, but disappointingly a shift change due to my recent promotion means I have to work. I shall be driving past the ground on the way home just as the final whistle is blown. Oh well.

I wouldnt worry about this one frank..it a be kinda  after the lord mayors show ..the players are proberly on holiday mode as we speak

There already looking forward to there tour of the dutch bulb fields ..

Man in the middle Darren Handley 37 Games 125 YELLOWS 2 REDS

Adverage  nearly 3.5 yellows a game Ref our home game v  Portsmouth 2 - 2 draw

Assisted by Stephen Finch and Andrew Aylott

Fourth Official Christopher Pollard

Colchester News

LEGENDARY Colchester United striker, Ray Crawford, urged his former side to give it everything they’ve got in a bit to reach the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

The U’s face already promoted Plymouth Argyle in another massive match at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and Crawford insisted the north Essex club would be confident of adding to their impressive haul of thirteen home victories during the campaign.

Speaking to Yellow Sport ahead of the match, Crawford said: “Colchester have been very good at home. You never know, they could sneak into the top-seven places. Plymouth are already up and are chasing the title with Doncaster, but the pressure is off of them. They might come to Essex with a relaxed attitude. The U’s need to be ready to take advantage of any weakness they might show.

“The U’s will be disappointed to have only picked up two points from the East matches, but they are only two points of the play-offs. They must concentrate on winning their remaining matches and not worry about what happens elsewhere. That’s all they can do.”

Crawford was quick to praise opponents, Plymouth, for what has been a fantastic season, adding: “They have been terrific. All the teams are in League Two for a reason, but the likes of Plymouth and Portsmouth are big clubs with a huge support. They should be playing higher up the leagues.

Two-time promotion winner Karl Duguid sees two of his former clubs Colchester United and Plymouth Argyle go head to head this weekend

Karl Duguid says his former club should hold no fear in their pursuit of a coveted play-off place.

And the U’s legend has urged them to “enjoy the ride” as they drive on for an immediate return to the third tier.

Colchester lie two points off the top seven in League Two with three games remaining and this weekend play host to already-promoted Plymouth Argyle, who are chasing the title.

But John McGreal’s play-off push is gathering speed, with the U’s having lost only one of their last five matches.

And ahead of the clash between two of his old clubs on Saturday, former Colchester captain Duguid has encouraged them to put their foot to the floor and go full pace for promotion.

Duguid told the Daily Gazette: “They should enjoy the ride and I don’t think they should have any fear.

“It’s good to see the season ending this way with them pushing for promotion, especially after what’s happened there over the last few seasons with them battling against relegation.

“Colchester have arguably the best games in the run-in.

“Even though they’ve had Doncaster and now Plymouth, they’re already up and sub-consciously as a player it can be different after that’s happened.

“It’s all about momentum and I’ve always felt that with the team that goes up through the play-offs, it’s often the one that’s finished the season the strongest.

“You can finish seventh in the table and still get promoted and it’s often that team that feels the most confident, going into the play-off games.

“It’s different for the likes of Luton and Carlisle who have been up there all season but that’s not the case for Colchester, this season.

“The ones who make the play-offs at the last minute are often the ones who go up in the end, because everyone is on a high.”

Duguid was part of the Colchester squad that won promotion in 1998, when they beat Torquay United 1-0 at Wembley to win the division three play-off final.

“It’s a great way to go up,” said Duguid.

“It’s exciting for everyone at the club and the fans and you get a trip to Wembley, which is fantastic.

“On the flipside, it isn’t nice to lose at Wembley but you don’t want to look at the downsides.

“Don’t get me wrong, the play-offs can be tough and they take a lot out of you but it’s all worth it if you go up.”

Duguid’s two former clubs go head to head at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this Saturday, with Colchester hosting Plymouth.

The 39-year-old, who made more than 450 appearances during two spells at the U’s, spent three years with the Pilgrims between 2008 and 2011.

I hoping for a 2 - 1 win

RegGreen wrote:

RegGreen wrote:

Frank Bullitt wrote:

This is a local game for me, but disappointingly a shift change due to my recent promotion means I have to work. I shall be driving past the ground on the way home just as the final whistle is blown. Oh well.

I wouldnt worry about this one frank..it a be kinda  after the lord mayors show ..the players are proberly on holiday mode as we speak

There already looking forward to there tour of the dutch bulb fields ..

.......paid for by the eternally grateful as always who will pay whatever to jizz with the players

Freathy wrote:

The real pressure is off for Argo as it's job done. Anything else is a bonus. Colchester simply have to win to stand any chance of a play-off place so tons of pressure on them. Argo can play with free abandonment.

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

My god, you feeling alright there Freathy ?.

I am going for 2-1win to Argyle.

Agree about Colchester simply needing to win, but I think Argyle will be too strong for them.

VillageGreen wrote:

Freathy wrote:

The real pressure is off for Argo as it's job done. Anything else is a bonus.  Colchester simply have to win to stand any chance of a play-off place so tons of pressure on them.  Argo can play with free abandonment.

Colchester Utd 0-2 Argo

My god, you feeling alright there Freathy ?.

As he got his Crewe ticket yet?