Here are FIVE Talking Points from today’s publication of the Football League fixtures, relating to Colchester United
ON THE ROAD
The U’s are used to starting their season on the road, and finishing it on the road as well!
Last season, they kicked off with a long trip to Accrington Stanley, and finished it with another long journey, to Exeter City.
Both ended in defeats, with Accrington going on to win the League Two title, and Exeter losing in the play-off final.
Likewise, the U’s will begin next season with a trip to Notts County (fifth last season), and bring the curtain down on the regular 2018-19 campaign with a short jaunt to Lincoln City (seventh last season).
Let’s hope the U’s next season will not again be bookended by two defeats.
A KIND CHRISTMAS
The festive fixture list has been kind to the U’s this year.
There is ample time to recover from two long away trips before Christmas (to Carlisle on December 15, and to MK Dons on Dec 22), with a couple of post-Christmas home games.
John McGreal’s men will entertain Stevenage on Boxing Day, and then play host to Morecambe on December 29.
The New Year’s Day clash is not too demanding either, with a relatively short journey into Sussex to take on Crawley Town.
MIDWEEK TRIPS
What about those late nights for next season, hitting the motorways during the early hours?
Well, there are three of them for the U’s.
On Tuesday, Ocotber 28, U’s fans will have to negotiate a 158-mile trip home from Grimsby Town, while the distance will be 183 miles for the return from Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday, November 27.
On East Monday, a haul of 208 miles will beckon for the return journey from Yeovil Town (April 22).
NEW BOYS’ KEY DATES
Summer signing Frank Nouble will come up against his former club, Newport County, for the first time with a trip to South Wales on November 17.
Midfielder Harry Pell, recruited from Cheltenham Town earlier in the summer, will have two quickfire returns to Whaddon Road, for the first round of the League Cup and also in the league on September 1.
CARL’S HIGHS AND LOWS
I’m looking forward to paying a visit to Macclesfield Town, for the first time in 20 years.
The U’s will visit Moss Rose on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
Their last visit was in March, 1999, a 2-0 defeat when Mick Wadsworth was the manager.
A pre-Christmas hike to Carlisle (Decemnber 15) is not quite so appealing!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here