MATCH THREAD ' CARDIFF CITY v COLCHESTER ' MATCH THREAD

The players will relax , full team , stress of the league gone , no pressure on them.

Can only see one outcome and that's a 2-1 loss with slade sacked straight after the game

Colchester are a decent team they will be right up for this and will expect to have a chance to pull off a cup shock

More Of The Same?

Tue 30 Dec 2014

Matt Hudson

U's hope to continue their positive record in Wales.

Colchester United will be hoping to continue their positive record on visits to South Wales when they take on Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Although this will be the U's first visit to the new Cardiff City Stadium, they have only lost on three of their last nine visits to face the Welsh side since returning to the Football League in 1992.

They were heavily defeated in the 2007/8 season that saw us come back to League One, with Johnnie Jackson's first half goal cancelled out by four second half strikes by City players Steven Thompson, Peter Whittingham, Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink and Adam Virgo.

The previous season had seen them draw 0-0 after a fine display by Dean Gerken in the U's goal, whilst Karl Duguid, Kem Izzet and Dean Morgan all scored for Colchester back in 2003 as the U's recorded a 3-0 victory at Ninian Park.

Joe Dunne, who went on to be U's manager, rescued a point with a late, late equaliser on a Tuesday night in November 2001, whilst Kevin Nugent - briefly Leyton Orient manager this season - grabbed a late winner when City ran out 3-2 winners the season before, with Lomana Tresor Lua Lua and Jason Dozzell grabbed the U's goals that Friday night.

In April 1998, the U's first season at Division Two level, the U's won 2-1 in Cardiff, with Paul Abrahams and David Gregory - who will be in attendance on Friday for the U's media team - scoring for visitors.

And the U's also won in Wales in February 1997. Steve Whitton and Tony Adcock got the Colchester goals on that occasion.

The third Colchester defeat came way back in November 1992, with City running out 3-1 winners.

In what will be the sides' first meeting in the FA Cup, the U's will be hoping to ensure that it's only three defeats in ten by the time the final whistle blows on Friday night.

Cardiff will win this 3-1 imo ............. Slade to go i fear the worse more dissapointment to come

Ben Gordon is facing a race against time to be fit for Colchester United’s FA Cup clash with Cardiff City on Friday night.

The left-back limped out of the U’s draw with Crawley Town after injuring his ankle in the closing stages of the goal-less encounter.
After finding himself out of favour, Gordon has started Colchester’s last three games in League One.

And the form of the former Chelsea youngster has impressed manager Tony Humes, who is hoping he will be fit for the third-round tie at the ** Stadium.

U’s boss Humes said: “Hopefully, Ben’s injury isn’t too bad.

“He rolled his ankle at the end (of the Crawley game), so we’ll see how he is for Friday.

“Ben has always been part of what we’ve been doing.

“He’s been in our squad and in and around it since he was left out.

“But he’s a Colchester United player and he has to get on with it.

“He could have gone off and sulked but he showed that he’s a good pro.

“It’s up to Ben now to keep doing that and he’s got to work hard on his defensive side of the game, if we’re going to play this way.

“He has to pick and choose the moments he chooses to go forward a little bit more, on a consistent basis, week in, week out.
“Both Ben and Sean (Clohessy) came in and did their jobs really well, so they’ll stay in the team as long as they keep doing that.”

Meanwhile, U’s centre-back Frankie Kent could return by February after making good progress in his comeback from knee surgery.

The teenager has not played since Colchester’s 2-1 defeat against Port Vale at the start of November but is no longer on crutches and is now walking again.

Humes added: “Frankie’s progressing fine - it might be end of February and it’s about how quickly he gets his strength back into it.”

After 35 minutes....... City 2 - 0 Colchester

After 65 minutes....... City 2 - 2 Colchester

After 90 minutes....... City 2 - 4 Colchester


I really do hope that I'm wrong, but if it does happen, at least it might save us from a 7 or 8 goal thrashing in the next round .

Agree with you Phill 100%. Been saying for months that we have unused talent in the development squad. Why they are not used sooner rather than later beats me.Some of these lads are better than some the of the s--t we have in the first team.Drop a few of the first team and replace them with some of the youngsters.It will give a few of the first team a kick up the arse they really need.

Russell Slade: 'FA Cup can boost Cardiff City'

By Jack Prescott, London Correspondent
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 18:30 UK
Cardiff City boss Russell Slade has claimed that a run in the FA Cup could rejuvenate the team's Championship hopes.

The Bluebirds are in third-round action on Friday night when they welcome Colchester United to South Wales.

Cardiff have seen their promotion chances fade in recent weeks with three defeats from their last six games, but Slade is hopeful that the Cup can get them back on the winning trail.

"I like the FA Cup. I think that it can bring momentum to your football club, which is what we're looking for again," he told City's official website.

"We need a win after a few disappointing results. That's what will make everybody feel a little bit better, and if our next opponents are Colchester, and that happens to be in the FA Cup, then that's the next opportunity for us."

RUSSELL SLADE : CHANGES TO BE MADE

“There are a few carrying knocks, so we’ll be resting those, meaning there’ll be a few changes for the game. It will be a great opportunity for others to come in and stake a claim, which is what we’re demanding.



“We need a win after a few disappointing results. That’s what will make everybody feel a little bit better, and if our next opponents are Colchester, and that happens to be in the F.A. Cup, then that’s the next opportunity for us.



“When results haven’t been going your way, you have to regroup; you have to reflect, analyse. Certainly, you get together again as a unit, then go about your business trying to put things right in terms of preparation for the next game. Things can change very quickly.”



The Colchester visit will provide Cardiff City’s first test of 2015, and the turn of the year brings with it the January transfer window. Russell confirmed that plans were well in motion with regards to bringing players in and moving some on over the coming month.

3-2 City

Cardiff boss Russell Slade is set to make a number of changes to his starting XI for the FA Cup third-round tie against League One Colchester.

Goalkeeper Simon Moore, midfielder Joe Ralls and defender Matt Connolly are all in line to start.

Gabon defender Bruno Manga may make his final City appearance before flying out to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Colchester will be without striker Rhys Healey, who is ineligible by the terms of his loan deal from the Bluebirds.

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade hopes FA Cup run can cheer disgruntled Bluebirds fans as Colchester United clash awaits
Jan 01, 2015

By Terry Phillips

Slade's side take on Colchester United at home on Friday in a game set to see the lowest ever crowd at Cardiff City Stadium


Russell Slade

Under-fire Cardiff City manager Russell Slade believes an FA Cup run can bring desperately needed momentum to the Bluebirds and bring a smile back to the faces of the beleaguered fans.

Slade’s team are set to be watched by the lowest recorded crowd at Cardiff City Stadium when they clash with Colchester in the third round.

A gate of around only 4,000 seems to be the best the Bluebirds can hope for, the fans voting with their feet as discontent grows over the rebrand and the route one style of football adopted by Slade’s team.

That figure would eclipse the previous lowest at the ground, the 5,545 gate for a League Cup tie against Dagenham and Redbridge when the stadium opened six years ago.

Cardiff have just come out of a dismal December, when they failed to win in five Championship matches, while Colchester have plummeted to second from bottom in League One after winning just one in nine.

Rhys Healey may be the butt of his Colchester team-mates' jokes but missing their FA Cup trip to parent club Cardiff is no laughing matter for the 20-year-old.

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/colchester-uni ... 53165.html?

Cardiff boss Russell Slade will use the FA Cup third round clash with Colchester as a chance to rest his under-performing stars.

Bruno Manga looks set to make his final Bluebirds appearance before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations but he is unlikely to be joined by many of the starting line-up that lost 4-2 to Watford on Sunday.

David Marshall, Peter Whittingham, Sean Morrison, Adam Le Fondre and Craig Noone could all be handed the evening off for a cup tie that is set to be played in front of a meagre crowd.

Anthony Pilkington is available again after his hamstring injury and is likely to come into contention as they look to end a five-game winless run.

Colchester defender Ben Gordon is an injury doubt and striker Rhys Healey is ineligible for the U's, who face Cardiff for the first time in the FA Cup.

Gordon was forced out of Sunday's goalless draw at Crawley midway through the second half due to a knock and was replaced by Cole Kpekawa, who could return to the starting line-up.

Healey joined the U's on loan from Cardiff in September and will miss out against his parent club.

Boss Tony Humes must decide whether to stick with teenage midfielder Sammie Szmodics, who stepped in for Craig Eastmond at Crawley, while defender Magnus Okuonghae (Achilles) and winger Drey Wright (knee) are still out.

Is the game on TV BBC one.

its on bbc2 mate
and 4-1 to the city

2-0 city macheda 2 5455 fans and Slade will think his tactics were good and he will use them again next week vs Fulham

Come on City

TEAM NEWS - Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone, Macheda.

subs: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones.

TEAM NEWS - Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone, Macheda.

subs: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones.

Beat me too it

TEAM NEWS - Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone, Macheda.

subs: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones.

Beat me too it

TEAM NEWS - Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone, Macheda.

subs: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones.

Beat me too it

OK 1-0 Cardiff Whittingham lets see

One striker, five in midfield took long enough, we will smash them I think ...........

Would have liked a more adventurous selection, maybe his neck is on the line and he thinks this his safest line up. Maynard or Guerra should be in the squad, can only mean they are going , is Mason back yet?

Would have liked a more adventurous selection, maybe his neck is on the line and he thinks this his safest line up. Maynard or Guerra should be in the squad, can only mean they are going , is Mason back yet?

Mason is out injured for at least 4 weeks

its on bbc2 mate
and 4-1 to the city

Its not on for me here , why because am not in Cardiff area?

It's on BBC Wales

its on bbc2 mate
and 4-1 to the city

Its not on for me here , why because am not in Cardiff area?

971 on Sky

One striker, five in midfield took long enough, we will smash them I think ...........

442 Kadeem upfront they are saying on bbc ???

No looks like 451 ???

Colchester 53% of possession

Hope we lose, seen better atmosphere at a funeral.