Andy Carmichael previews this weekend’s fixture…
As the League One season draws to a climax Saturday sees the penultimate fixtures for all but two teams, one of those being Colchester United who are locked in a battle to beat the drop.
That game in hand could prove vital for Tony Humes’s side in their quest for survival, but first this weekend sees his side travel to Fleetwood who are safely settled just outside of the play-off places.
All focus on the game is purely on Colchester, but Fleetwood’s accomplishments this season shouldn’t be overlooked: their debut season in League One could see them finish as high as seventh.
As relative newcomers to the Football League, following six promotions in ten years, the Cod Army have shown themselves in a great light to be where they are with two games to go.
The fixture is also Fleetwood’s last at home, so they will be expecting a bumper crowd and atmosphere at the Highbury Stadium to celebrate their success.
Hoping to upset the party are a Colchester side that have actually matched Fleetwood’s results exactly over the last five games, but sit fifteen positions below them in 23rd.
The U’s are left four points adrift in the drop zone but that before mentioned game in hand could prove vital, they know three points will be needed at Fleetwood to give them any chance of survival.
To be fair to Colchester they had begun to really step things up with back to back wins but following two dismal defeats and an injury time equaliser from Scunthorpe last week, their momentum has faltered.
A shaky and inconsistent defence has seen the U’s leak a whopping 74 goals this season, a tally only surpassed by Fulham and Blackpool of the championship.
The away side do however have the a slight edge going into the game having won the reverse fixture earlier this season, when a Gavin Massey brace helped U’s come from behind to win at home.
Regardless, Fleetwood certainly go into the game as favourites and with the knowledge that Colchester need to win an exciting game should be expected.
Fleetwood recent form: DWWLLD – GF: 6 – GA: 5
Likely line-up: Maxwell; Chicksen, Pond, Jordan, Forbes; Sarcevic, Evans, Morris, McLaughlin; Hunter, Ball
Colchester United recent form: DWWLLD – GF: 9 – GA: 13
Likely line-up: Walker, Brindley, Eastman, Khumalo, Briggs; Moncur, Gilbey, Fox; Massey, Murphy, Porter