The Opposition: Colchester United (A)

The Opposition: Colchester United (A)
The lowdown on their gaffer, January signings and more!

February 2nd 2024FGR Media

Rovers make the long trip to Essex this #GreenFootballWeekend to take on Colchester United. Steve Cotterill's side will be looking to build on the positive performance against Accrington Stanley last weekend, which ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat at The New Lawn.

We boast a fantastic record against Colchester, winning six of our last seven meetings against the U's. Here's a lowdown on Saturday's opponents.

IN THE DUGOUT

Danny Cowley was appointed as Colchester's new boss at the beginning of January, following the dismissal of Matthew Etherington on New Year's Day.

Etherington lost eight out of his last nine matches in charge, which led to the Essex-based side appointing the highly-experienced and one-time League Two promtion-winner Cowley.

Assisted by his brother Nicky, the Cowleys had been out of work for a whole calendar year prior to their appointment at Colchester. They have climbed through the divisions together, working with each other at Concord Rangers, Braintree Town, Lincoln City, Huddersfield Town, Portsmouth and now Colchester.

While he has managed six different clubs, it was at Lincoln where the 45-year-old enjoyed the bulk of his success. He transformed the Imps, taking them to an FA Cup quarter-final, an EFL Trophy final win at Wembley and two league titles in three years.

Arriving at the JobServe Community Stadium on a two-and-a-half year deal, Colchester will be hoping that he can replicate his Lincoln success down in Essex. It's started well for the Cowley brothers, with two draws and a win from their first three matches.

JANUARY BUSINESS

Colchester have been busy in the transfer market as they look to pull away from relegation danger. There's vast experience among their winter arrivals, with their five news signings racking up nearly 700 EFL appearances between them.

The Essex side's first signing of the window was left-footed forward Connor Wilkinson, who signed for an undisclosed fee from Motherwell. The former Leyton Orient, Walsall and Gillingham man is a versatile forward, capable of playing through the middle or from the right. He has hit double figures in two of his last three seasons at this level.

Colchester have done more shopping in Scotland, with former Forest Green loanee Jayden Richardson signing on loan from Aberdeen. The pacey wing-back spent the first half of the campaign at League Two table-toppers Stockport County, but only played 210 league minutes, a tally he has nearly already beaten at Colchester after just two appearances.

Harry Anderson is a player the Cowleys know well, with the direct wideman winning a double promotion under them at Lincoln City. The 27-year-old has also joined on loan after barely featuring for League One high-flyers Stevenage this season.

The loan signing of physical midfielder Alistair Smith represents something of a coup for Colchester, given that the 24-year-old has played 25 times in the third tier for Lincoln this season. Smith earned a move to Sincil Bank last summer after a couple of standout campaigns with Sutton United in League Two.

At the back, Riley Harbottle made his debut for Colchester last weekend in the win at Morecambe, conceding a penalty which was saved by Owen Goodman. The defender played over 30 times last season for a Mansfield Town side that just missed out on the play-offs - and joins on loan from Hibernian.

The impressive Joe Taylor, Nico Lawrence and Mauro Bandeira all returned to their respective parent clubs during this window after their loans were ended early.

WATCH OUT FOR...

Colchester swooped for Cameron McGeehan in early September after the midfielder was released by Belgian side KV Oostende.

McGeehan has played every game he's been available for, missing three matches due to suspension. The 28-year-old is a goal-contributing midfielder, with five goals and two assists to his name in 21 appearances.