U's poor form continues after narrow defeat at Walsall

4:58pm Saturday 22nd December 2012 in Colchester Utd By Jonathan Waldron

Misfortune - Jabo Ibehre hit the bar against his old club, in Colchester's 1-0 defeat at Walsall. Misfortune - Jabo Ibehre hit the bar against his old club, in Colchester's 1-0 defeat at Walsall.

Colchester United fell to their eighth defeat in nine league and cup matches after losing 1-0 at Walsall this afternoon.

Febian Brandy's well-taken strike proved the difference between the two struggling sides, at a rain-sodden Banks's Stadium.

Walsall had slightly the better of the goalmouth opportunities, in an evenly-contested first half.

The lively Brandy's shot was deflected just wide off Tom Eastman in the early stages and then drilled a low shot across goal and wide, midway through the first half.

But Colchester also threatened, with Brian Wilson's audacious volley flying just over the bar from Freddie Sears' pass and Jabo Ibehre's lobbed effort hitting the crossbar, following John White's delivery.

Cousins made a great save to deny Will Grigg and then Brandy before the U's fell behind just after the hour when Brandy latched onto a long ball and took on Josh Thompson and Tom Eastman before drilling a low shot past Cousins.

Thompson's header hit the bar in stoppage-time but Colchester could not salvage an equaliser, as they fell to another defeat.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's defeat at Walsall, see Monday's Gazette.

Comments(18)

angryman!!! says...
5:03pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Disgusting!

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Bampotonian says...
5:19pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Dread to think what the next home gate is going to be ...

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Steve86 says...
5:23pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Absolutely appalling against a poor Walsall team. I'm sure some people on here will say that Walsall are good - but they are shocking. And it proved today that we are in a relegation battle, especially considering that teams below us have games in hand. Joe Dunne needs to reshape this pathetic team with new faces, and we need some attacking threats. I normally look forward to going to Boxing Day games, but now I'm wondering whether to go as I don't want to ruin my Xmas break.

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Col United says...
5:32pm Sat 22 Dec 12

I agree with the above comments. The players need to play or get out its as simple as that.
Dunne also needs to change he's game plan otherwise relegation is looming.

I too am not sure whether to waste my day going to see Colchester on Boxing Day... As I would prefer to see entertainment.

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myhouse3 says...
5:42pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Have to say i fear the worst now bar a major shake up in the transfer window.I hope Joe can turn things around he is a great guy have spoken to him and he is colchester through and through but perhap this set of players dont have his passion. Lets all hope these same set of under performing so called players dont cost Joe his job. JW you have a lot to answer for .

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crazy comments says...
5:58pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Having just listenened to Joe Dunne on the radio interview, he sounded as inspiring as a man on the moon.
The players need a rocket up their ar-es, and a manager thats not afraid to do it.

Then to further cheer me up,Joe then anounces that we are going to sign Jack Compton from Portsmouth someone he described as having blistering pace in the transfer window. If I was you Joe I would quit now, because this club is only going one way South, because the majority of the supporters saw the writing on the wall last season. Mr Cowling showed total igorance towards what was happening and the damage is now inrepairable and the gates will drop even further.

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25414nora says...
10:17pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Have to admit, It's not looking good. long time supporters have been there before. Lets not forget: the 4th division
years, and slipping into the Conference
.
I think a spell in league two is beckoning, and maybe thats not so bad. Success in the upper regions of league two will, almost certainly bring back the crowds. A bigger fish in a smaller tank and all that.

It's never been my policy to appoint blame on the manager, or the players, No team or manager sets out to under achieve. You pays yer money, and takes what yer get.

Colchester united will be back...

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Col United says...
10:59pm Sat 22 Dec 12

I agree with your comment Nora.
But unfortunately the players in my mind are just not performing and it is resulting to under achievement. There is a lack of communication and leadership in this team, and players who just aren't doing enough need to be kicked out and dropped.

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Layer Road Exile says...
11:05pm Sat 22 Dec 12

Oh dear. Dunne and Kinsella are showing their inexperience and it appears to be panic stations. Dunne on BBC Essex today: "We've tried 4-3-3, we've tried attacking teams, we've tried 4-4-2 and we've tried being tough." They've only been in the job a matter of weeks and if they don't know what to do, what chance do the players have? Panic loan signings, average permanent signings and no idea of the best way to play. We desperately need a cool, experienced head to work with these novices or we will be relegated.

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Col United says...
11:29pm Sat 22 Dec 12

LRE you have good points. But surely you'd think if we played so well with the passing on the floor play... Then why change it.
The football played is frustrating now, and the worrying thing is on Boxing Day where crowds are higher people are most likely to see a depressing performance and not think positively about Col U.

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crazy comments says...
9:52am Sun 23 Dec 12

I was not at the game yesterday, but reading the reports it was again a ball over the top behind the defence that caught us out. How many goals have we conceeded like this recently.

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angryman!!! says...
9:58am Sun 23 Dec 12

I've spoken to two diff people that went to the game and both said it was very poor, worst of all against a very poor opponent. No worries only brentford and Swindon up next.......

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totallyfootball says...
10:08am Sun 23 Dec 12

I love the use of the word narrow, its still a defeat and another three points dropped against a mediocre side!

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Ozzie says...
10:57am Sun 23 Dec 12

As many predicted, it seems apparent that poor Joe and Mark have been used by Mr Cowling as the cheaper, easier option without going through the rigours of formal interviewing qualified and experienced managers. Any more results like this and I fear the Brentford and Swindon games might be, then we will be 'doomed' and joining Hartlepool and two others in league two next season. I wish I could say more positive things about my beloved U's but it smacks of 'I told you so!' to Mr Cowling. But he does not heed our warnings. Glad to see we have signed an out and out winger, let us hope he brings us some success! I have made a conscious decision after last year's enthralling encounter with Stevenage, not to attend a Boxing day debacle again.I wish the U's well for Boxing day but will be back for Paolo Di Canio's Swindon next Saturday. Up the U's and Happy Christmas one and all!

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BlueandWhiteBaz says...
11:52am Sun 23 Dec 12

Rubbish and going down without a prayer. Joe has hinted at 5 signings in the January window, but really it's only 3 as Ibehre and Thompson are already with us. Not enough to make much of a difference I'm afraid. Now we've lost the two Arsenal players there is no constructive midfield and no one able to retain possession and create. To add to the woes both Ibehre and Sears look as though they are going to spend a few weeks on the injury treatment table. We're going down that's for sure. Thanks money bags, you may have given us a new training centre, but on the pitch all you've given us is relegation.

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super waluigi says...
12:32pm Sun 23 Dec 12

Shame that the u's cannot holt this current run. We are not looking good right now, and it is twice this season that we have had massive loosing streaks. But 6 weeks ago we did look like world beaters and I feel that we have the ability to go and get some more wins similar to how Ipswich have.

Lets go all out on boxing day.

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We're not singing anymore!!! says...
12:43pm Sun 23 Dec 12

Tis the season to be Jolly, la la la la la la la la............

I really don't see how anyone can blame Joe and Mark at the moment when they still have John Ward's team to work with. I don't expect things to improve dramatically after Christmas but lets see what we do once Joe starts to bring in the players he wants rather than blaming him.

The players do need to blamed a bit, they need to take a long hard look at themselves and ask 1) Am I playing to the best of my ability and 2) Am I showing the pride and the fight I should when I put on the U's shirt.

As fans we have a big part to play too. Despite the poor performances we should still try to get behind the team and not get on their backs when we go a goal down. Let's be vocal about poor performances after the game and get behind them before and during the match.

We're not quite half way through the season and we're not in the bottom 4 (yet). So there is reason to be hopeful.

Up the U's and Merry Christmas to all.

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crazy comments says...
4:29pm Sun 23 Dec 12

angryman!!! wrote:
I've spoken to two diff people that went to the game and both said it was very poor, worst of all against a very poor opponent. No worries only brentford and Swindon up next.......
I just hope that Swindon dont play next Saturday, like they did on Friday evening in beating Tranmere 5 0 . This must have been the best attacking football match that I have watched the past couple of seasons. Swindon wingers Matt Ritchie and Chris Martin just kept running at the Tranmere players, turning them inside out,then cutting back inside the box and squaring passes across the face of the goal. If Swindon turn up and perform like this then i can personally see it being a record goal against defeat at home. Di Canio knows what he wants from his players and gets it.

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