That Goal Changes Nothing?

New Colchester manager Paul Lambert will offficially take charge of his first game for the U’s tomorrow at Edgeley Park.

Of course, Lambert’s last league game as a manager was back in May at Edgeley Park. The play-off semi-final second leg, and we all know what happened there!

Lambert will surely be given a ‘warm’ welcome back into management tomorrow!

Back to County anyway, and after a busy week for the Hatters they will be looking forward to getting back onto home soil and looking for a big win against the U’s.

Of course, former skipper Gaz Owen has left for Yeovil after a major fall out with manager Jim Gannon, but loanee defender Jaroslaw Fojut was stretchered off in last week’s 1-1 draw a Southend.

This may pave a way for utility man leon McSweeney to force his way back into the side, as he was clearly frustrated with missing out on a starting place last week.

County have also today sealed the signing of exciting new youngster Oli Johnson, after a successful trial period. The 20 yeor old joins the Hatters from Nostell Miners Welfare.

Vital Quotes:

Leon McSweeney (On being dropped last week): ‘It was very frustrating, I was very disappointed. I thought my performances had merited a first-team place.

‘I’d worked really hard to get myself into contention for the starting XI and I thought I’d made that place my own.’

‘I had my say to the gaffer. He said it was a tough decision, which is understandable. That’s the decision he makes, but I thought it was the wrong on.’



After the disappointment you have to put that behind you and go and do yourself a favour on the pitch.

‘I don’t think he needs to look for a reaction from me, I think he knows what he’s going to get from me. I think the fans have seen that this season.

‘You have to get on that pitch and try and make a name for yourself whether it’s five, ten or 90 minutes.’

Jim Gannon: ‘What a response, and to be fair that’s 1-0 to Leon.’

‘We brought a few players in and he found himself left out and he reacted brilliantly.’

‘It was a tough one, but we don’t just need a good 11, we need players on the bench who can come on and make a difference.’

‘You know you’re going to get 100 per cent from him.’

County Team News:

stockportcounty.com



Peter Thompson, Owain Fon Williams, Stephen Gleeson and Anthony Pilkington are back with the squad after this week of international matches. Jaroslaw Fojut, who went back to Bolton earlier this week for treatment on the injury he picked up at Southend, has returned to training with County and should be available.

BBC Sport:

Stockport are without Jaroslaw Fojut, who has returned to parent club Bolton for treatment on an injury, while Gareth Owen is set to move to Yeovil.

Goalkeeper Owen fon Williams and striker Peter Thompson are both back from international duty.

* New signing Oli Johnson may also feature for County tomorrow.

Player to watch: Peter Thompson

The dangerman for County. Only just returned from international duty tonight, a day later than Owain fon Williams, Stevie Gleeson and Anthony Pilkington.

Scored two in two for County, and now that the former Linfield man looks to be playing with a new found confidence, he will be looking for more tomorrow against a slow defence.

Colchester Team News:

BBC Sport:

New Colchester boss Paul Lambert has added Steven Gillespie and Matt Lockwood to his squad as both have recovered from injury.

Young winger Medy Elito is back from England Under-19 duty unscathed.

Player to watch: Johnnie Jackson

The former Tottenham YT player, now 26, scored in the narrow 4-3 defeat to Cheltenham last week, and can either play on the wing or in centre midfield.

He has scored 7 goals in 40 apps for the U’s, and should still pose a threat to fon Williams even whilst battling Gary Dicker and Paul Turnbull.

Match Odds

County – 8/11

Draw – 21/10

Colchester – 7/2

Match Prediction:

2-1 County. A galvanised Colchester side will still find it tough up against a resilient County side who have come behind on 5 seperate occasions this season to earn either a win or draw. A hostile reception for former Wycombe manager Paul Lambert will not help his side settle into the game tomorrow.

Next Fixtures:

Tue 21 19:45 MK Dons FL1

stadium:mk