The U’s v The Addicks

The goals are flying in for the Addicks now, with eight scored in the last three league and cup matches, which have yielded three wins in a row.
Last season surprise championship package Colchester are sitting pretty in midtable with only the one defeat to their name, so this will be a tough match, particularly as it is on the U’s home patch.

Vital Quotes:

Alan Pardew: ‘Three points is what I’m after.
‘They’re a good club and they create a special atmosphere there. It will be a bit of a cup-tie atmosphere so we need to be on our guard for a pretty lively game.
‘During the break, we’ve worked very hard on the next objective. The other games don’t matter now, it’s the next game that’s the important one at Colchester. We’ve worked on and talked about the problems that they’re going to give us and how we’re going to overcome them.’

Colchester Team News:

Clive Platt, after suspension and Jamie Guy return for the U’s, but Kevin Watson is unlikely to be risked. Karl Duguid is pushing for a starting role.

Player to watch: Kevin Lisbie

Lisbie will be looking to come back to haunt the Addicks.

Charlton Team News:

Alan Pardew has an embarrassment of riches to chose from, so it is more of a case of who will miss out than who will come in.
Izale McLeod, Luke Varney, who returned with a hat-trick in midweek, Lloyd Sam, Therry Racon, Madjid Bougherra and Sam Sodje are all pushing for places in the starting line up so Pardew has plenty to ponder. Osei Sankofa, Yassin, Ben Thatcher and Matt Holland are not quite ready.

Player to watch: Chris Iwelumo

Other players could be picked out, but like Lisbie coming up against his former side, Iwelumo will be wanting to come back to haunt the U’s.

Match Facts & Stats

In seven previous meeting between the Addicks and the U’s nothing can sepeare them as both sides have three wins apiece, with one draw.
January 1984 at Layer Road saw the last meeting between the sides as the Addicks edged victory in the third round of the FA Cup.
The two clubs have not been in the same division for 27-years, and during the 1980-81 season Colchester did the double over the addicks.

Ref Watch:

Referee: M P Russell
Assistants: G S Hambling & G R Young
Fourth Official: M D Stewart

Match Prediction:

The U’s are a very good side, even more so at Layer Road but I have this feeling that the Addicks will win a close fought match to make it three league wins on the spin.

Next Fixtures:

Norwich at the Valley on Tuesday.