Colchester United supporter Si Collinson gives his views on the U's
THE phrase ‘a game of two halves' is often used in football but I don't think I've ever seen it more in evidence than in our match against Swindon Town.
Indeed, I'd go as far as to say that you could well have been forgiven for thinking you saw a game contested by completely different teams, depending on the half you were watching.
I know this all sounds very extreme but had I not seen it with my own eyes, I don't think I would have believed the match reports.
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After the midweek Bristol Rovers defeat, there was an air of optimism on the journey back to the West Country.
Deadline day signing Jay Williams went straight into the starting XI and we got off to a great start, taking the lead when Moses Sesay produced a fantastic pass to send Kylian Kouassi through.
Just 13 minutes into his full debut, he was off the mark and Colchester were in the lead.
We carried on the strong start, looking lively and pushing for a second; a number of chances were created and although there was some eye-catching football played, we just could not make the control count and kill off the game.
Even though it was only 1-0 at half-time, there was little worry amongst the U's fans, as we expected the team to come out and carry on where they left off.
In fact, under Danny Cowley we have mostly been better after the break, so there was no forewarning of what was to come.
The second half was a complete turnaround that's hard to put into words. After 49 minutes, Jay Williams' rash challenge in the box gave the referee a decision to make and make it he did, awarding a penalty to the hosts.
Aaron Drinan scored from the rebound after Lo-Tutala saved his effort from the spot. You could see we were shaken and in need of someone to take charge, but then the real turning point of the afternoon happened.
Jay Williams, who had looked so solid and commanding in the midfield, had to go off due to cramp.
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Strangely with Paul Digby on the bench, Danny elected to juggle the pack and instead of a straight swap, he brought on Sam Kuffour Jr and moved Rob Hunt to midfield.
So, both the midfield and defensive units had to re-set and re-organise, something that did not happen. We looked very out of soughts and not even further substitutions could steady the ship.
Two quick-fire goals on 77 and 79 minutes gave Drinan his hat-trick, against a U’s side that looked like rabbits in headlights.
The feeling amongst the away fans was one of disbelief and shock at full-time, unable to process how we had gone from so good to so poor, so quickly.
Post-match interviews were very downbeat and I have to give credit to captain Jack Tucker.
It would have been easy to have sent someone such as Kouassi out to answer questions and focus on his goal. But Tucker came out and was honest in his remarks as to how far off it we were.
While it doesn't change the result, it at least shows that the side are not hiding away but facing facts.
What will be telling will be the response against Crewe on Saturday, when we are back at home after two away defeats.
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This is the time now where the squad need have a serious look in the mirror, admit where things went wrong and look at how to prevent it from happening again.
The first half against Swindon proved we can do it and produce good football; we now need to put it together for the full 90 and kill off games while we are on top.
Let's all hope that Saturday is the game we finally bring it all together. Up the U’s.
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