Sorry to be negative, but that is a very weak looking Town team. We are in for a long hard season again imo. I really hope i'm wrong though.

Any injuries today and we have nothing but academy players to replace them with. Huws ,Adeyemi;Celina, McGoldrick,Bishop and Hyam is one hell of an injury list before a ball has even been kicked.

So Knudsen ahead of Kenlock.....

I'm surprised nobody's not painted a big yellow cross on the gates at Playford Road!! Seriously, do they all kiss each other goodnight or something??

@ parkinshair no they all kiss Dino goodnight

We have been so unlucky with injuries and illness this preseason, its crazy how so many of the players seem to be getting ill.

Hopefully Celina, McGoldrick and Adeyemi recover this week and are ready for Birmingham although Adeyemi will need a couple of weeks

Looks a weak side on paper. But with the current list of injuries not really surprised. Would pick Webster, Celina, McGoldrick, Huws and Kenlock so we out far from our strongest squad on paper.

Knudsen over Kenlock is absolutely ridiculous.

Wtf has Celina brought in? O.o

Bru still in team I see......

I know it's only a pre season friendly before you all fill me in but Once again dinosaur tw&t reverts to type. Picks his proper blokes. Kenlock is light years ahead of Knudsen. Webster better than donkey & smith put together. Exscuse slow and past it. Just hope beyond hope this is not the XI next Saturday.... and yes I'm here at the valley supporting the team.

@essexboy93 luck with injuries is 90% down to how the coaches train them and how well the players actually look after themselves. Dino-inspired, 80s-style training and conditioning likely to be the norm.

Oh dear, 0.1 looks like Captain Calamity was to busy admiring his Tatts.

Seriously ...... If McCarthy starts Knudson next Saturday ahead of kenlock I may just cut my season ticket up!!!!!!!!!!

desperate for new faces win or lose, and players that don't give two hoots how their lovely hair and tattoos are doing

Got to agree prebs - was discussing with my son yesterday & bet him this would be the sort of team Mick reverted to.
YES I KNOW WE HAVE ILLNESS & INJURY
but if any of you have been to any of the pre seasons I fail to see how you could not think Nydam is a more creative midfielder than Downes (& that's before we throw Dozzell into the mix!).
Don't get me wrong I am excited by Downes potential etc BUT as a replacement for Skuse NOT the creative presence we have all been crying out for.
With that selection & Micks clear "preference" for Downes (who he bigs up by saying "he's not afraid to get stuck in & dump some of the senior players on the ground) it does really show him reverting to type again.
In addition the ONLY time we looked attacking, progressive & dangerous at Colchester was the 20 mins after half time when the outfield team had Iorfa at RB, Webster at CB (with Chambo but could be Smith if preferred), Kenlock at LB (set up goal), McDonald/Nydam CM's (which today could be Skuse/Nydam .... or what about Downes/Nydam !!! Shock horror 2 youngsters), Rowe & Celina out wide (obviously Celina I'll today so Ward to cover) & Garner/McGoldrick up front (Sears playing that McG role today).
Even with illness we have the ability to play that style/utilise those less defensive players today .... but no Mick reverts to "solid" options across the pitch & a CM partnership of 2 similar more defensive players.
Welcome to last year !!!!
Am a bit sad having seen pre-season & especially the development/promise of some of the players (particularly Nydam, Iorfa & Webster) and a little bit angry tbh (as I type I see Micks proper blokes have just gone 3-0 down to Charlton !!!)
QED

3-0 down to charlton, we really are not good

CLUELESS! and I ain't talking about the Dino on this occasion!! Think we could give Knudsen an assist for that 3rd one!

Sack him now and get players in who can keep the ball and pass. It's the same as before, absolutely negative football, with a clueless approach. We are lucky it's only 3 nil!

Oh dear, 4 nil. Time to go home!!!

Oh dear, 4 nil. Time to go home!!!

Oh dear, 4 nil. Time to go home!!!

Oh dear, 4 nil. Time to go home!!!

Calamity football from town

Omnishamples.

Wtf.

It is strange that Dinos proper blokes have not caught the dreaded disease that is going arround Playford Rd ??