blueball.gif (262 bytes) Fri 5th April 2002. Colchester preview
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Layton Maxwell and Jason Bowen both came through Wednesday's reserve game and have been added to the squad for the trip to Colchester.

City go into the game knowing that if results go the right was we could be assured of a play off place. A City win coupled with a defeat for Bristol City and Q.P.R. not winning would give City a guaranteed play off berth. The chances are though that Bristol City will beat strugglers Bury meaning City have to watch it does not swing the other way with the Robins closing the gap on City if we lose. Rangers are 6 points behind City so if both teams win Rangers will still have a mathematical chance to catch us but with a difference of 11 goals in City's favour it's very unlikely.

Lennie is hoping to start with the same line up that beat Port Vale. Andy Legg definitely misses out and will miss the trip to Huddersfield as well. He is hoping to be back in contention for the home game with Notts County a week tomorrow.

Lennie says

"My intention is to field the same team. But things could change because we are carrying one or two bumps and bangs.

"The good thing is that we have plenty of bodies available. Jason Bowen and Leyton Maxwell will travel which adds a couple more options.

"Earnie needs to be eased in gradually after his injury, although circumstances sometimes dictate that players have to come back sooner than they ideally should."

Earnie is 21 tomorrow. He is hoping to mark his special day by getting a goal.

City lined up last week

Alexander, Weston, Prior, Young, Gabbidon, Kavanagh, Bonner, Boland, Leo, FW Campbell, Thorne. Subs Bywater, Croft, Earnshaw, Brayson, Collins.

With Maxell and Bowen added City have greater attacking options.

On the road, under Lennie, City have won 3 from 3, scoring 11 goals. The speed of Andy Campbell reaping rewards as he has scored 5 of the 11 goals.

Colchester have only won once at home in the last 6 attempts. They have drawn 3 and lost two. Form books predict an easy City win.

Colchester are 6 points above the drop zone and need one more win to make absolutely sure of safety. They will be no pushovers. City can make it 5 wins in a row, a new milestone this season, in the current run of victories we achieved 4 wins in a row last Monday. There can be no league double this time as back last November the U's picked up a point in a 1 - 1 draw at Ninian Park with their only shot of the game.

If City win, look out for Reading's result at Tranmere on Sunday. Defeat for the Royals could see City threaten an automatic promotion spot as the gap would be 5 points with City having a game in hand. Main concern is getting the win to make sure of the play offs but don't write a an automatic spot off just yet. The task will be enormous, it would need to Lennie to win the remaining games which in itself means he will have taken City for 13 games, 11 wins and two draws. Impossibe surley? If's and buts I know, we must win our own games, any favours from the other teams will be greatly accepted.

The game at Layer Rd tomorrow is all ticket, call the ticket office at Ninian Park today to see if there are any tickets left. 0845 345 1400.

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Copyright Michael Morris 2002.