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Thread | Taming of the Shrews, or much ado about nothing?
at 18:29 5 Feb 2026
Nice and prompt this week, now we have emerged from a somewhat stressful January transfer window relatively unscathed, with Lisbie, Tovide and Mbick (amongst others) all staying. We also had the unexpected addition of three loans as well: midfielder Fin Barbrook from Ipsh’t, defender Fin Back from Wycscum, and midfielder Romeo Akachukwu from Southampton. The Fins already have an appearance under their belt, at Crewe last Saturday, and I thought they both looked very good additions. Credit to Fin Back too, he met his new team mates for the first time on the coach up to Crewe.
Before we consider the visit of Gavin Cowan’s Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, a reflection on my trip to Crewe first. Incredibly frustrating is the sentiment that immediately springs to mind. Against Grimsby we were second best for the majority of the first half, dominated the second half only because of the red card, but just didn’t have enough invention to unlock a dogged and determined defence. It was largely more of the same against Crewe, only this time we were in control pretty much the entire game (62% possession, 20 attempts to their three etc.), just again couldn’t find the goal(s) we deserved. Crewe, on the other hand, scored with their only bit of quality all match.
What both games have demonstrated is just how much we are missing Mbick. I don’t want to be too hard on Goodwin, it’s kind of not fair to try and compare him with an estimated £5m worth of unbridled pure talent, but he isn’t our goal-scoring solution at present. To be honest, despite the dominance, not many at Crewe had what I’d say were truly excellent games. The loanees did very well, Gape was okay (and maybe getting better), Tucker and Araujo were solid (apart from the goal, but I’m not certain that was really down to them), Lisbie and Edwards were running around a lot, but lacking final balls too often, Payne seemed to be playing the entire midfield trying to make something happen, and the aforementioned Goodwin worked hard but without really having any influence on the game (and not much more with Tovide when he replaced him). As I said, frustrating, but it was good to meet up with Martin of the Swedish Branch.
And so on to Saturday, where we need to get back to winning ways after two defeats on the bounce, and now seven points outside the play-offs (albeit with at least one game in hand on most of those above us). Although one of the sides relegated from League 1, Shrewsbury have found life this season very difficult indeed, with only five wins so far all season, and not surprisingly manager Michael Appleton has been let go, though the timing just as the transfer window was closing was odd. If they want to avoid a second successive relegation, they might just have to rely on there being two teams worse than them, but Cowan did earn a commendable home draw against promotion-chasing Barnet in his first game in charge, so maybe there’s still hope in Salop.
Assuming he’s come through the draw against Barnet unscathed, we should see the return of Anthony Scully on Saturday. Others in the ‘they played for both’ category include Abo Eisa, who I saw score on his U’s debut at Northampton, and of course our currently crocked and former U’sual shirt sponsor recipient, Tom Flanagan. Bradley Ihionvien was on loan at Shrewsbury as well, but suffered a knee injury in training in October, and is probably out for the rest of the season (and presumably as a result back at Posh?). I’m sure there must be plenty more as well, anyone for others?
As for Saturday’s line-up, your guess is as good as mine. We’re currently waiting to hear whether Read and KVY have recovered from the knocks that kept them out of the game at Crewe, Bishop has been reported as nearly there for a while now, and no news so far yet on Mbick. I’m banking on Read and Mbick returning, Samson to go out to the right again and Lisbie on the left, and Fin and Fin to keep their places. Romeo Akachukwu to be on the bench as well. If Mbick doesn’t make it, time to give Williams a go I reckon. Thanks also to Daniel for showing me where the Team Selector option is on the U'sual.
MaceyBackTuckerAraujoHuntBarbrookTovidePayneReadLisbieMbick Substitutes: Smith Gordon Terry Williams Goodwin Edwards Akachukwu
The weather looks to remain wet all the way from now through to the weekend, so no danger of frozen pipes, just a question as to whether our improved drainage will cope – I’m sure it will. In a moderate breeze from the south-east, the relatively mild 10 degrees will feel a few degrees cooler.
After witnessing our 2-0 win on my first visit to the New Meadow back in August, this will be an excellent chance for the U’s to register our first double of the season. The U’s to tame the Shrews 4-1 with Lisbie opening the scoring and Samson finally amongst the goals as well.
Up the U’s [Post edited 5 Feb 23:44]
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Reply | Computer says no
at 05:51 5 Feb 2026
For those who haven’t seen/heard it, I can heartily recommend you check out Ian Holloway’s off the chart incandescent rant about this on local radio. Remarkable really, as a professional football manager he really should have known the rules, or he did and chose to ignore them - neither is acceptable. It’ll be interesting to see what his personal punishment will be, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a sizeable fine and/or lengthy ban. |
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Reply | January 2026 Transfer Window
at 18:58 3 Feb 2026
My mistake, the X post in question was by Samson, a black screen with a 'locked' symbol to the tune of 'Locked Up' by Akon. Both Lisbie lads responded with emojis that appeared to be sympathetic, though perhaps poorly thought through. Samson quite quickly took the post down following plenty of negative reactions from supporters, and he has since explained it was never about disrespecting the fans, it was more about his career, and other matters related to his family situation. In a firsthand response from a supporter on X who had actually spoken to him, Samson recognised "we've stuck by him through good and bad, really appreciates us, more than we know". I believe Danny has previously hinted about Samson's family situation, so definitely time to turn the page on an unfortunate series of events and move on as far as I'm concerned. |
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Reply | January 2026 Transfer Window
at 16:35 3 Feb 2026
I hope Lisbie Senior has had a stern word with Lisbie Junior about his social media presence. It looks that way, as I understand he has taken down the post in question. I get he might be frustrated not to get a big move (and payday) during this window, but the reality is the deal has to be right for Colchester United. If he sticks at it, his move will be higher and for more in the summer.
(same for Samson too) |
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Thread | Problems accessing the U'sual
at 18:27 2 Feb 2026
Anyone else finding it incredibly slow to access the website right now? It's taking an age to get on or do anything, and sometimes it fails completely and I get the message:
Service Unavailable
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later.
Am I the only one? |
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Reply | January 2026 Transfer Window
at 17:19 2 Feb 2026
£750k is a lot of money, but if anyone offers it we have to accept Lisbie will be going, and with our very best wishes. |
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Reply | January 2026 Transfer Window
at 14:03 31 Jan 2026
…and immediately sent out on loan to my old stamping ground Salisbury City. There goes that conspiracy theory  |
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Reply | U's Steam Into Railwaymen Territory
at 13:52 31 Jan 2026
Line-up announced, and Read finally gets a chance to rest his injury, Samson on the bench and Goodwin starting, no sign of Mbick yet though. The big news I suppose is that both of the Flying Fin’s must have been signed in time and both start. Loving Lisbie and Edwards on the wings, just hope we’ve got someone in the middle to finish things off. |
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Reply | January 2026 Transfer Window
at 12:09 31 Jan 2026
Max Jolliffe also recalled from his loan at Yeovil, is it Avengers Assemble or circling the wagons? |
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Reply | U's Steam Into Railwaymen Territory
at 19:09 30 Jan 2026
That's a shame - I'm surprised no one else has taken it up. On the edge of a large residential area and right next to the football ground, I'd have thought it would be a good prospect. |
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Reply | U's Steam Into Railwaymen Territory
at 14:48 30 Jan 2026
It was last time I went to Crewe, and I have photo of my youngest Alfie from many years ago enjoying battered sausage and chips stood outside. I might even pop in again tomorrow if I have time. |
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Reply | Former U's
at 11:50 29 Jan 2026
Paywall for the first link - what'd he say? As for Ronnie, and I've just posted this on the injury thread, I recall hearing earlier this month (or at least sometime after Xmas) he was carrying a minor injury? No idea what, but I would assume it's no longer an issue. I guess it'll be down to who Danny and Nicky think is most ready for a defensive midfield slot? |
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Reply | U's Injuries
at 11:44 29 Jan 2026
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Bishop is close to a return, and I hope Mbick's absence was more precautionary than anything else. Ronnie Harvey apparently had some form of minor injury following his recall from Chelmsford City, but I can't imagine it was anything serious. |
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Reply | Battered cod on the menu twice in one week!
at 22:09 27 Jan 2026
Sadly, despite a commendable effort second half, we just couldn't get past a resolute and determined back line. Credit to Grimsby, they were as good as I was expecting with 11 on the pitch, and defended valiantly when they went down to ten. We should have at least equalised, but it shows how paper thin our squad is that if you lose too many key players, we just don't have that spark. |
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Reply | Battered cod on the menu twice in one week!
at 20:45 27 Jan 2026
Well this as hard as we were expecting, it's going to be a huge effort to get into the game. I'm afraid I'm not convinced by Edwards and Goodwin at the moment, let's hope they prove me wrong second half.
Up the U's! |
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Site Scores| Prediction League: | 33 | | TOTAL: | 33 |
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