Ward eager to keep U's squad together (From Essex County Standard)

I sincerely hope that we can keep the basis of the team together. Its a pity That J.W. has not got the cash to splash as I feel we can easily be a top six side with two extra good players added. This season we have missed out with so many draws when if we could have won another four games instead, we would easily be in the play offs. I'm hoping J.W. next season will take a few more gambles by playing some youth and not looking to play defending football away from home with just one man up front. If you look at the teams promoted Reading,Southampton, Charlton, Shef wed, and Swindon they all play with an atacking wide flank man with two men up front. You need a Antonia type player in your team to open the other teams defence at the back. Ive watched the U's since the Peter Wright days and it was always important then to have a good winger. I feel sure you would then see Woody really flourish,with a wide man to pass to and combine with. Ive watched a few more games than usual this season and there is some good teams out there. The standards are now getting higher than higher. With the new training ground in place for next season lets hope the players can get a bit more fitter, because in quite a few games they never loked at their best. To me the best signing this latter part of the season was Swindon getting Paul Benson from Charlton. Parkinson wanted him but Benson failed a medical at Bradford, so Swindon took him on. Playing for Swindon you have to be in peak fitness for Di Canio but has proved what a good signing he was for nothing. I mentioned many times on here regards this player and though not always right I feel he was a player we should have gone for. I dont agree with all what J.W. does but rest assured I will still be giving my support to him and the team for next season. Ive got a good feeling for next season and with just a few changes I feel confident we can be in the top six. We badly need more supporters in the staduim to get behind the team,and the only people that can help do that is Mr Cowling and J.W.

Next year could be the best chance for a long time to go up. Most of the "big teams" will have gone. Charlton and one if not both Sheffield sides.

The sides coming done aren't that scary, Doncaster, Pompey with money problems and Coventry (possibly will be decent).

Gone are the days of Norwich, Southampton and Leeds in the divison. However two seasons time might be different again.

Agree with the last comment, with the teams coming in and out of the league at both ends there doesn't seem to be that gulf, if we could keep the team together, and get Rowlands and another finisher we would def be playoff contenders

If the U's draw at Notts County on Saturday,they will equal the club record for the highest number of league draws in a season - twenty one - which was set last season.It means that John Ward's team has now drawn forty one of its last ninety one league games.Coincidentally
,the U's average league attendance has slumped by thirty per cent in three years.It is down from 5,529 in 2009-2010 to 3,865 this season.That figure would have been even lower if it hadn't been for visiting fans from Charlton,Stevenage and the Sheffield clubs.This season's average league gate,3,865,is down nine per cent on last season's average league gate.
If the decline in support continues at the current rate,the U's,in two years' time,will be playing at a WHCS
which is less than a third full.

RB, Lexden wrote:
If the U's draw at Notts County on Saturday,they will equal the club record for the highest number of league draws in a season - twenty one - which was set last season.It means that John Ward's team has now drawn forty one of its last ninety one league games.Coincidentally

,the U's average league attendance has slumped by thirty per cent in three years.It is down from 5,529 in 2009-2010 to 3,865 this season.That figure would have been even lower if it hadn't been for visiting fans from Charlton,Stevenage and the Sheffield clubs.This season's average league gate,3,865,is down nine per cent on last season's average league gate.
If the decline in support continues at the current rate,the U's,in two years' time,will be playing at a WHCS
which is less than a third full.

Food for thought .Perhaps a few people will open their eyes wide to these attendance fiqures. I dont keep **** for nothing. I want my club to survive and without changes it will fail.

TheCaptain wrote:
Next year could be the best chance for a long time to go up. Most of the "big teams" will have gone. Charlton and one if not both Sheffield sides.

The sides coming done aren't that scary, Doncaster, Pompey with money problems and Coventry (possibly will be decent).

Gone are the days of Norwich, Southampton and Leeds in the divison. However two seasons time might be different again.

Tend to agree with you, most of the big teams will have gone but do not under estimate Swindon. I will being be having a few quid on them for promotion again if Di Canio stays.No big names in their squad but the work ethic is spot on.

Yes Swindon a very good team

Agree with most of above comments,if we could get Rowlands and Otoole to sign plus a decent striker we might have a small chance.I for one will support the club through thick an thin,and the people of Colchester should get of there backsides and get behind the team.UP THE U,s