Match Preview by Dave Burch
Saturday 31st December 2011
Kick Off 1.00pm
Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester
Npower League 1
Colchester’s second home game in a row during the festive season sees Exeter City making the long journey to Essex to face the U’s. John Ward’s men will be looking to bounce back immediately from the humiliating 6-1 defeat by Stevenage on Boxing Day.
Exeter are currently 8 points behind the U’s in 19th place.
The Grecians had a poor start to life in League One this season drawing 0-0 away to Stevenage on the opening day. It was followed up by three straight league defeats against MK Dons (2-0 home), Brentford (2-1 home) and Preston (1-0 away). They ended the month of August with their first victory of the campaign, beating Chesterfield 2-1 at home.
Exeter had an appalling run of form in September losing four times (Hartlepool 2-0 A, Charlton 2-0 A, Bournemouth 2-0 H, Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 A) and drawing once (Notts County 1-1 H). The Grecians finished the month in 23rd place and 3 points from Bury who were 22nd.
October started well for Exeter with a 2-0 home victory over Oldham Athletic. It was followed by two consecutive defeats against Bury (2-0 A) and Huddersfield (4-0 H), but things were to pick up for the Devon side in the middle of the month as a 3-1 victory over Rochdale saw the start of a 6 game unbeaten run in the league. A 2-1 victory away against Walsall was followed by three draws (Sheff Utd 4-4 A, Carlisle 0-0 H, Yeovil 2-2 A). A big 3-0 victory over Tranmere saw Paul Tisdale’s side finish November in 17th place and 3 points behind the U’s.
Exeter started December with a defeat away to Leyton Orient, which ended their unbeaten run. A 0-0 draw against Scunthorpe at home set the Grecians up for a difficult festive period with an away trip to Wycombe ending in a 3-1 defeat and they will be looking to take advantage of Colchester’s poor home form on New Years Eve.
In the cup competitions, the Grecians reached the second round of the Carling Cup, defeating Yeovil 2-0 at home setting up a lucrative home tie against Liverpool. The game was televised live on Sky, with the Premier League side coming away victorious with a 3-1 victory.
Exeter also reached the second round of the JPT, beating fierce rivals Plymouth Argyle in a penalty shoot out at St James Park. Their progress was halted by Swindon Town in the second round, losing 2-1 at home.
Paul Tisdale’s men fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup, losing to Walsall in extra time at The Bescot Stadium after drawing the initial tie 1-1.
Former Faces
There have been a few players to play for both Colchester and Exeter and for this blog I am going to look at some of the older players.
First up is current Bristol Rovers manager Paul Buckle.
Buckle started his career in West London coming through the ranks at Brentford. He spent four and a half years with the Bees making 78 appearances in total and scoring once. Towards the end of his time with the Griffin Park club, Buckle spent time at Wycombe on loan, before heading to Devon to sign for Torquay United in February 1994.
He spent only 18 months with the Gulls scoring 9 goals making 71 appearances before travelling the relatively short distance to Devon rivals Exeter City. Buckle was only with the Grecians for a season making 25 appearances and scoring twice. His time with the club was ended due to the club entering administration and being unable to pay his wages.
Bucks celebrates winning promotion to Division Two. © cu-fc.com
Buckle spent time with Northampton and Wycombe without making any appearances before signing for Colchester in November 1996. The midfield man was one of the key players in the Colchester side that went to Wembley twice in two seasons, scoring the U’s first ever golden goal in the early rounds of the Auto Windscreens Shield against Millwall, in a year which saw the U’s cruelly lose on penalties to Carlisle in the final.
Buckle scored on the opening day of the 97/98 season, which saw the U’s gain promotion to Division 3 via the playoffs, defeating his previous side Torquay thanks to a David Gregory penalty.
He was an ever present in the side in the 98/99 season, but left the club at the end of his contract to re-join Exeter City. The popular midfield man made 123 appearances for the U’s and scored 10 goals in all competitions.
Buckle playing for Exeter. © cu-fc.com
An injury at the start of the season left Buckle on the sidelines, however he was a first team regular on his return to the side scoring two goals in 36 appearances in his first season with the Grecians. He was transfer listed in 2000 by Noel Blake, but remained at the club for the whole season making 43 appearances and scoring 3 times. He left the club in 2002 to join Aldershot after making a total 107 appearances. He spent one season with the Shots, before moving to Weymouth in 2003. With a change of ownership and manager, Buckle only spent a season with Weymouth before returning to Exeter City in the twilight of his career.
Buckle assisted current boss Paul Tisdale. © exetercityfc.co.uk
Buckle became first team coach under the stewardship of Alex Inglethorpe and was appointed the assistant to Paul Tisdale when he became the manager in 2006. Buckle continued to play for the Grecians alongside his coaching role, making a total of 70 appearances and scoring 7 goals.
He left the club in 2007 to join Torquay as manager, guiding the Gulls to the play offs and final of the FA Trophy in his first season, but falling to defeat to his former club Exeter on both occasions.
Buckle had a successful spell in charge of Torquay. © skysports.com
Buckle led the club to promotion via the play offs the following season with a victory over Cambridge United. Buckle’s stock rose with Torquay, being the Colchester fans favourite to take over from Aidy Boothroyd when he left the post in 2010.
The move never materialised and the former midfielder went on to guide the Gulls to the verge of promotion, but lost out to Stevenage in the play off final at Old Trafford last season. He decided to leave his role as manager to join the recently relegated Bristol Rovers in May 2011.
Big Roy shortly before leaving the U's. © whoateallthepies.tv
Another to have played for both is “Big” Roy McDonough. Big Roy holds the record of having most sending off’s in his professional career, seeing red 21 times and holds the joint record of 13 red cards with Steve Walsh. An old fashioned centre forward (and auxiliary defender) and formidable opponent, he came through the youth ranks at Aston Villa, but started his professional career with the blue side of Birmingham making a handful of appearances before heading to Walsall.
McDonough spent two years with the Midlands outfit scoring 15 league goals in 84 appearances before moving to Chelsea. After just a season with the Blues, McDonough was on the move once again, with the 22 year old signing for Colchester United for £15,000.
McDonough scored on his debut against Burnley and scored another 23 times in 94 appearances before heading to Colchester’s Essex rivals Southend United.
Big Roy must be one of a few players to have gained hero status at both Essex rivals. © wikipedia.org
He spent one season with the Shrimpers, scoring 4 times before linking up with Exeter City in 1984. McDonough was not with the Grecians long scoring once in 20 appearances before leaving for Cambridge for a short spell.
In 1985 he rejoined Southend United and became a cult hero with the Shrimper’s fans for his no nonsense style of football. He spent 5 years at Roots Hall scoring 30 goals before linking up with Colchester United once again. The U’s were starting life in the Conference after their relegation from the Football League and Big Roy was amongst the goals in the U’s first season in the Conference but the club failed to bounce straight back to the league finishing second behind Barnet.
McDonough raising the FA Trophy after a 3-1 victory over Witton Albion. © cu-fc.com
Player/Manager Ian Atkins left the club for Birmingham City and Big Roy was appointed the new player/manager in a memorable season for the club. As well as leading the club to the non league double – winning the FA Trophy and League, he also topped the U’s scoring charts with 29 goals.
It was the on-going battles with Wycombe manager Martin O’Neill that sealed Big Roy’s cult status with the U’s following. McDonough constantly wound up his opposite number and in the Bob Lord Trophy, played himself as sweeper and his defenders in attack in a 6-2 defeat to Wycombe at Layer Rd.
McDonough remained as player manager until 1994 when he was sacked at the end of the season shortly after making his 500th career appearance.
Big Roy joined Dagenham after leaving the U’s and managed in the non league pyramid before moving to Spain and working in the property business. He is in the process of writing his own book “Red Card Roy” which will be released in 2012.
Other players to have played for both are Kevin Rapley, Jamie Cureton, Andy Marriott, Peter Cawley, Phil Coleman, Tony Dennis, Chris Fry, Trevor Morgan, Andy Walker, Andy Woodman, Rowan Vine and Adam Virgo.
Previous Meetings
Colchester United 5 – 1 Exeter City Saturday 26 March 2011, Weston Homes Community Stadium NPower League 1 Attendance: 3,629Colchester picked up their largest win of the season against nine man Exeter City to propell the U’s closer to the play off positions.
The visitors who started the game the brighter looking for an early advantage.
Both sides were having good spells of possession, but no real chances were created in the early stages.
Daniel Nardiello shot the Grecians into a deserved lead. © thisisdevon.co.uk
It was the visitors that took the lead with the first real effort at goal. A great cross from John O’Flynn saw the ball fall kindly for Daniel Nardiello to score from inside the penalty area.
Colchester struggled to impose themselves in to the game and were struggling to deal with a rampant Exeter side who looked the more likely to grab the next goal.
Steven Gillespie headed the U's level. © uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
The home side came closest however when Steven Gillespie saw a header cleared off the line from a corner routine. The chance seemed to spur the U’s into action and take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Colchester equalised on the half hour mark after another corner came to the unlikely source of Steven Gillespie, who headed the ball into the net from six yards.
John Ward’s side were beginning to up the ante and were given a helping hand by the referee, just minutes after the U’s equaliser.
Steve Tully's red card challenge. © uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Steve Tully was adjudged to have fouled U’s winger Ashley Vincent has he ran through on goal. Due to the letter of the law, the Grecians skipper was given his marching orders. Brian Wilson stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, shooting just wide of the mark.
Despite being a man down, Exeter came the closest to retaking the lead, minutes before the break as Scott Golbourne’s perfect cross was met by John O’Flynn, however the Irishman was denied by Ben Williams, whose superb one handed save pushed the ball onto the post before being cleared.
Andy Bond had the final shot of the half, pulling an effort wide as the teams went into the break with the scores even.
Exeter started the second half as they did the first, putting the U’s under pressure and nearly scoring taking the lead through former U’s striker Jamie Cureton, who shot over the bar.
Colchester were trying to make their numerical advantage count, however the visiting defence were barely troubled and it was the U’s defence causing problems for themselves which allowed Jamie Cureton another chance to give the Grecians the lead. The striker snatched at his effort and ballooned the ball wide of the target much to the relief of the home crowd.
Scott Golbourne saw red & conceded a penalty. © uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
It was looking like it was going to be one of those days for Colchester, however a huge slice of luck came their way once again thanks to the referee. U’s dangerman Vincent, sprinted into the Exeter box and was halted by a challenge by Scott Golbourne as he shaped to shoot. The referee deemed Golbourne the last man and he too was given a red card.
Mooney celebrates his spot kick. © cu-fc.com
David Mooney was given the opportunity of giving the U’s the lead from the penalty spot, and the U’s striker made no mistake in smashing his penalty into the back of the net to give the home side the lead for the first time.
Vincent capped his display with a goal just 3 minutes after the penalty.
Vincent lobs Hamer for the U's 3rd. © uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
A long punt forward caught the depleted Exeter defence napping, allowing the U’s winger to burst through and perfectly lob the on-rushing Hamer to extend the U’s lead.
A minute later it was 4-1 to the U’s, good work from Andy Bond saw Steven Gillespie in on goal, the striker making no mistake in passing the ball past Hamer and into the net.
Colchester were rampant at this point with the depleted Exeter ranks struggling to deal with the U’s numbers coming forward. Steven Gillespie came within inches of grabbing his hat trick as he struck the post from close range.
Andy Bond volleys home the fifth. © uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
The rebound fell kindly for Andy Bond, who made no mistake in rifling the ball into the net to give an unbalanced look on the score line.
The U’s had chances to further their lead through Ian Henderson and Steven Gillespie, however a sixth goal was not forthcoming and the match soon came to a close.
Exeter City 2 – 2 Colchester United Saturday 7 August 2010, St James’ Park NPower League 1 Attendance: 5,927The opening day of the 2010/2011 saw the U’s travel to Devon on a fine summer day.
Ryan Harley celebrates his early penalty. © exetercityfc.co.uk
Exeter started the game like a side meaning business and took the lead as early as the 6th minute. The U’s had barely touched the ball as David Perkins hacked down an Exeter man in the area to give the Grecians an early penalty. Ryan Harley stepped up and smashed the first goal of the new season to give the hosts the lead.
The home side continued to come forward and could have furthered their lead through Liam Sercombe, the young midfielder heading over the bar from a corner.
Colchester’s reply was immediate, with the visiting side equalling the scores in the 10th minute. It was a goal of real quality with the U’s debutants Andy Bond and Brian Wilson linking well, with the latter producing a cross of the highest quality for Anthony Wordsworth to rise highest and powerfully plant a head past a stranded Paul Jones.
Anthony Wordsworth blasted in a 2nd seconds after leveling the scores. © cu-fc.com
Just a minute later, the U’s took the lead. The U’s won a free kick from a full 30 yards after a foul on Kayode Odejayi. Set piece specialist Wordsworth stepped up to blast a ferocious effort through the wall and into the net past Jones.
The home side were shell shocked as the U’s continued to pour forward and came close to extending their lead through Ian Henderson. The U’s wideman was denied by a great save by Jones.
Wordsworth was given a chance to take home the match ball from another set piece. The midfield man attempted a curled effort this time, which Jones pushed wide.
Exeter had the final chance of the first half, with the goal scorer Ryan Harley being allowed the space to hit a powerful effort at goal, which Cousins had to save at the second attempt.
Both sides looked to get the upper hand and it was the U’s who came closest early in the second half as Wordsworth rose highest from a free kick, but saw his headed effort just go wide of Jones’ post.
The second half was nowhere near as open as the first, with neither side creating any real chances on target.
Colchester came close again in the final stages as Ian Henderson unleashed a left footed goal which went wide of the target.
Almost immediately a chance fell to substitute Richard Logan, who saw his shot saved by Mark Cousins.
The Grecians poured forward in their search for an equaliser and their hard work paid off with a big rub of the green.
Richard Logan equalised at the death. © exetercityfc.co.uk
Magnus Okuonghae blocked Ryan Harley’s effort at goal, however the rebound fell kindly to Logan, who expertly stroked the ball into the net to level the scores.
Colchester had the final chance of the match through Henderson, but the match scores finished equal with both sides earning a point.
Head to Head
| Colchester wins | Draws | Exeter wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| League | 23 | 18 | 25 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| League Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 20 | 26 |
Team News
Anthony Wordsworth returns from suspension and I expect him to return straight into the starting line up. John Ward has some big decisions to make ahead of the game with the defence and goalkeeper Ben Williams all struggling against Stevenage. Pat Baldwin is back in training and Ashley Vincent remains the only absentee through injury.
Prediction
It is going to be a really interesting encounter this weekend. Exeter will want to avenge the heavy defeat suffered in March 2011, but visit the Weston Homes Community Stadium with a poor record away from home. They have only won once on the road this season, drawn three times and lost seven.
Colchester have been rather unimpressive on home soil, winning four, drawing four and falling to three defeats. The U’s have suffered heavy defeats against MK Dons and Stevenage in the past month, which cannot be doing much for the players confidence and Exeter should be looking to exploit that.
Cureton turned down a new deal with Paul Tisdale's side despite winning the Player of the Year award. © exetercityfc.co.uk
On paper, the Grecians have a handy little side. Unfortunately, Paul Tisdale’s side lost last seasons top scorer Jamie Cureton, key midfield playmaker Ryan Harley and experienced goalkeeper Paul Jones. I have always admired Paul Tisdale and the way he has set his side up to play good football. He has a knack of signing decent players and getting them to play football the right way, something that deserves great respect. He is working on a tight budget and was hugely unfortunate not to guide the Grecians to the play offs last season.
Goals have been hard to come by away from St James Park for Exeter, with only 9 goals being scored on the road. If it makes Exeter fans feel any better, Stevenage had scored the same number on their travels up until Boxing Day when they scored 6 against a pathetic Colchester defence and goalkeeping display.
Guillem Bauza was brought in as Cureton departed. © thisisdevon.co.uk
Daniel Nardiello leads the scoring charts with 8 goals for Exeter, 6 coming in the league. He has recently been dropped to the bench and Spanish striker Guillem Bauza playing a lone striking role. The former Northampton striker joined the Devon side in the summer and has scored 3 goals in all competitions. Richard Logan and John O’Flynn are the other forwards at the club, both scoring two each. Logan is one of those players that seem to have a habit of netting against the U’s.
David Noble has struggled with injuries in his career but his a top player in L1. © uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Despite the loss of Harley, Exeter still possess a strong midfield with former Arsenal youngster James Dunne, youth academy product Liam Sercombe and David Noble all being very capable players at League One level. On the flanks the Grecians have two loan players with plenty of pace in Chris Hackett (Millwall) and Welsh U21 international Jake Taylor (Reading). The U’s have been fairly susceptible to pace on the flanks in recent times, so it will be interesting to see if they will try to use this to their advantage.
Golbourne has always played well against the U's. © thisisdevon.co.uk
A big problem Exeter have had on the road this season is conceding goals, with 23 goals going against them so far, which is the second worst in the league, beaten only by bottom side Chesterfield. The Grecians have quite an experienced defence as well, so it surprised me to see it that high. Danny Coles has been around for a long time and always been a steady defender at this level. Richard Duffy is a Welsh international and looked to have a promising career as a youngster with Swansea, but a move to Portsmouth seemed to do more harm than good. Another centre back at the club is the giant Troy Archibald-Henville who has been a near ever present at the heart of the defence this season. Steve Tully is another player who seems to have been around for years, with the club stalwart also being one of the first names on the team sheet. Scott Golbourne is one player I have always liked. He has plenty of pace and was very unlucky to see red against the U’s last time.
No 1? Cousins never put a foot wrong before his injury. © givemefootball.com
It is certainly going to be a tough game for the U’s and plenty of character will be needed to bounce back from the horror show on Boxing Day. One plus point is that key man Anthony Wordsworth will be back in the side, but I would really like to see Steven Gillespie start the game in attack. I’d love to see Mark Cousins, Tom Eastman and John White come into the side too, but I doubt it will happen. The defending was atrocious on Monday and I hope that will be worked on. The midfield also struggled, but I still think O’Toole has a lot to offer in the centre and I would be tempted to play him alongside Bond and Wordsworth if Ward continues to persist with his 4-5-1 formation.
I am going to stick my neck out and predict a tight 1-0 win for the U’s and I am going to plump for Andy Bond to get the goal.
The Opposition View
1. What were your hopes and expectations for the season and how are they panning out so far?
GrecianWonder – Beginning of the season, we were looking on building on last seasons brilliant 8th place finish. But after a few games the key players we had lost seem to shake the entire team and so far hasn’t been great! but things are picking up now.
John William – Hoped for midtable, expected a relegation dogfight. All coming too true.
Joshyd123 – After finishing 8th last season, but then seeing Jones, Taylor, Cureton and Harley all leave during the summer, I would have settled for mid-table and I think so far our season is shaping up nicely to achieve that.
ECFC traveller – Top half finish – Still personally believe we will get there.
Grecian_Jay – Improvement on last year. Not going well. I did predict we would be sh*t though so I was right again.
Adrian Holloway – Relegation dogfight, after seeing the spine of our team move on over the summer. As expected.
davidjenkin – Hoped for a top ten finish, maybe settle for top half. Expect us to finish lower mid-table now barring a quick upturn in results
2. Who should we look out for?
Key man - Daniel Nardiello © bbc.co.uk
GrecianWonder – Dan Nardiello if fit is always a threat. If not Troy Archibald Henville’s runs from centre back always cause havoc!
John William – Dan Nardiello if he’s completely regained fitness. Gillem Bauza ditto.
Joshyd123 – Dan Nardiello when injury free and on form, but loanee Chris Hackett is a tricky customer.
ECFC traveller – Nards and Bauza when on form will destory you.
Grecian_Jay – No one really. Only decent player we have is Duffy and he can’t get in the team.
Adrian Holloway – Decent manager, who’s probably in the top 5 best of the bottom two divisions. Club could be run a lot better and we could unfortunately find ourselves in trouble if things aren’t changed.
davidjenkin – On our day we play very well as a unit, we don’t really have stand-out players as they dip in and out of form and several of our best players are only dangerous when the team as a unit is performing.
3. What do you think of your Manager and Chairman/how the club is run?
Tisdale has brought the good times back for Exeter fans. © thisisdevon.co.uk
GrecianWonder – Best manager we’ve ever had and we are the best run club! well we liked to think we are but realistically with the size of our fanbase we would need a change to sustain higher level football.
John William – Our manager Tis has been as huge success, though lately his tactics and selections have appeared strange to many. Chairman is a nonentity as fan as the fans are concerned; majority owned by a Trust who appear to do very little to inform or involve the fans; “we own our football club” is a fairly hollow chant.
Joshyd123 – We Own Our Football Club, nuff said.
ECFC traveller – Our manager is the best in the league without a doubt doing so much for us with so little money. Through tactics that look completely stupid from the eye of the fan, yet always pull off and work correctly [ Well most of the time ].
Grecian_Jay – Manager is past his sell-by date and needs to go, no one will want him now. Trust is run poorly but is the only option.
Adrian Holloway – It has been quite dull so far this season; Tisdale favours a passing game which is fine, however it hasn’t quite come together as well as it did last season.
davidjenkin – Fully behind Tisdale, the management and trust model.
4. How would you describe your current style of football, and are you happy with it?
GrecianWonder – Well we have had a recent change from Tisdale never playing wingers in the past 3 years to playing wingers for the past three games! Loan signing Chris Hackett from Millwall has made this happen really. I don’t mind it at home but away from home I don’t think it works!
John William – Confused. No.
Joshyd123 – Paul Tisdale likes a tippy-tappy, beautiful passing philosophy to his game, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
ECFC traveller – We try and play to good football, but can’t really hold our own in this league, prefer to do a bit more route one football to shock the opposition.
Grecian_Jay – Football is awful, basically consists of lumping the ball up to 5f6″ players and then losing it. I also don’t think we have scored in the first half for about 4 years.
davidjenkin – Off form at the moment. When we are on fire I believe us to be among the best footballing sides outside of the premiership. I’ve seen us play football at league one level that was just unbelievable.
5. What players from Col U are you aware of?
U's key man - Anthony Wordsworth © gazette-news.co.uk
GrecianWonder – Anthony Wordsworth and his amazing free kicks!
John William – Most are little known; Wordsworth the real star, Dugid is of course known from Argyle days, will get routine boos for that. Like your keeper Williams.
Joshyd123 – Wordsworth, the winger, has always been a threat and a constant thorne in our backside.
ECFC traveller – Wordsworth that’s it , don’t know any others.
Grecian_Jay – Is O’Toole still there? He’s pretty good as is Bond.
Adrian Holloway – Sorry, but have to agree with other contributors on this thread. Soulless and no decent pubs.
davidjenkin – Loads – John Joe O’Toole, Kemal Izzet, Odejayi, Henderson, Wordsworth, Coker and Duguid.
6. Have you visited the Weston Homes before and what is your opinion/experiences of the stadium?
Weston Homes Community Stadium
GrecianWonder – No sorry haven’t!
John William – I hate it; my least favourite ground in L1. Impersonal, unwelcoming, no pub for miles, cold, basic.
Joshyd123 – Haven’t visited so can’t comment.
ECFC traveller – Average league 1 stadium, not great not bad, location VERY VERY poor.
Grecian_Jay – Nope, looks terrible and souless (no offence).
Adrian Holloway – Sorry, but have to agree with other contributors on this thread. Soulless and no decent pubs.
davidjenkin – Was very impressed you got the game on last time, was throwing it down. Loved the ground and the experience, though it is a little out in the sticks.
7. Where do you think Colchester will finish this season?
GrecianWonder – Midtable but just above us
John William – Mid table.
Joshyd123 – Around mid-table aswell.
Grecian_Jay – 14th.
Adrian Holloway – Mid-table.
davidjenkin – Mid-table, like us.
8. What do you think the score will be, and scorers (if any)?
GrecianWonder – 1-1 Nardiello and Wordsworth.
John William – 2-1 to you; Wordsworth and Henderson; Nardiello for us.
Joshyd123 – Hopefully not a repeat of last season, so I’ll settle for a draw or any sort.
ECFC traveller – 2-0 City when we play you at yours. Nardiello with both.
Grecian_Jay – 2-0 to you lot.
Adrian Holloway – 1-1. (Bauza).
davidjenkin – At the moment, I think we’ll maybe draw, 0-0 or 1-1, Bauza for us, Wordsworth for you.
9. Who will be in the top 6 at the end of the season and who do you expect to go up?
GrecianWonder – Charlton, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield, Mk Dons and anyone but Stevenage! I would expect Charlton, Sheffield United and Huddersfield to get promotion.
John William – As now: Charlton, Wednesday, Sheff U., Huddersfield, MK, Brentford; Charlton, Wednesday, Hudderfield up.
Joshyd123 – Charlton will win the league, Huddersfield will get automatically promoted and MK Dons will go up through the playoffs.
ECFC traveller – Charlton top, Hudders 2nd, Sheff United 3rd, Sheff Wed 4th MK 5th and Brentford 6th.
Grecian_Jay – Charlton, Sheff Utd, Sheff Wed, MK Dons, Huddersfield and Brentford, with MK Dons making it from playoffs.
Adrian Holloway – Charlton, Huddersfield, Shef Weds, Shef Utd., MK Dons and Stevenage (surprise package).
davidjenkin – , 2. Sheff Utd, 3. Sheff Weds, 4. Huddersfield, 5. MK, Wednesday up in the play-offs.
10. Who do you think will get relegated?
GrecianWonder – Sadly I dont think Yeovil will escape this year, along with Rochdale Chesterfield and Walsall.
John William – Yeovil, Chesterfield, Wycombe, Rochdale or Walsall. Us to escape on the last day.
Joshyd123 – Yeovil, Wycombe, Chesterfield and Rochdale.
ECFC traveller – Bottom – Chesterfield, 2nd Bottom – Rochdale, 3rd bottom – Yeovil, 4th bottom – Walsall.
Grecian_Jay – Wycombe, Chesterfield, Rochdale and Exeter.
Adrian Holloway – Chesterfield, Rochdale, Walsall and Orient. (hopefully!)
davidjenkin – Hopefully not us.
Ticket News
Tickets for this GRADE C game are now on sale and can be bought by visiting the Ticket Office or by calling 0845 437 9089. You can also buy online at www.colutickets.com.
Advance tickets are available to home fans ON THE DAY if you purchase them from the ColUTickets website (booking fee of £1). If you are unable to purchase tickets online, the Ticket Office will be selling at advance prices until the close of business Friday and normal prices will resume for match day sales from the ticket office windows.
Grade C Prices
The Old Oak Tree 
Grecian Jay is a bit of a twat