A full look ahead to Tuesday evening's game
The Reds travel to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to face Colchester United on Tuesday evening for their third away game in seven days (7.45pm).
The fixture provides an opportunity to quickly erase the memory of Saturday’s harsh 2-1 defeat to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road as Dermot Drummy’s men go for their first away win of 2017.
position in the table coming into the contest and ran out 2-1 winners at home to Barnet on Saturday.thTuesday evening’s opponents occupy 9
The Preview:
to watch Dermot Drummy preview the game against the U’shereClick
to watch him preview the contest.here start for the club – click thIf selected, defender Mark Connolly will make his 100
The Quotes:
“There’s a belief in the camp after Saturday – we’ll go there well organised and looking to be dangerous again,” says Dermot Drummy.
"100 starts for the club a nice milestone to reach and it'll be vine better if we can get a result," says Mark Connolly.
The Opposition:
John McGreal’s men have won their last five home matches and lost just once in their previous 12 in all competitions.
That defeat came in a 3-0 reverse away to Exeter City in the middle of last month – the side responded with a 1-1 draw away to last Tuesday’s opponents Blackpool and the victory over Barnet.
First half goals from Kurtis Guthrie and Brennan Dickenson were enough to ensure the U's kept themselves within close proximity to the play-off positions.
Previous Meetings:
The sides have already met twice this season – once in the league and once in the Checkatrade Trophy, both at the Checkatrade Stadium.
The first meeting between the two sides came in the latter competition, where a first half goal from James Collins was enough to give Dermot Drummy’s men a 1-0 win.
When the Reds met the U’s at the end of September the spoils were shared – Adi Yussuf handed the hosts the lead, but a late goal from striker Chris Porter denied the hosts a victory and the game ended 1-1.
Reds are unbeaten in five League meetings against the U's. In four League One games Reds won both home encounters 1-0 and also triumphed 3-2 on their last visit in March 2015. Our first game with Colchester in September 2012 finished 1-1.
Knowing Me Knowing You:
Reds’ Sanchez Watt has spent time with Tuesday evening’s opponents – the forward made five appearances initially on loan from Arsenal during the 2012-13 season, having had a loan spell with the Reds during the previous campaign.
Watt then made the permanent switch on a free transfer to Essex from the Emirates at the end of the 2012-13 season and spent two seasons with the U’s, making 36 appearances and scoring six times over the two-year spell.
Team News:
Reds are still without striker Matt Harrold who remains side-lined with an Achilles injury, whilst defender Joe McNerney injured himself in the warm up at Luton Town at the weekend and is out with a sore hamstring.
Dermot Drummy will have Josh Yorwerth back and available for selection after the Welshman missed the weekend’s game through suspension.
The Officials:
here.Lee Collins will take charge of the game with John McGreal’s men – find his previous appointments and the details of his assistants
Ticket News:
here.Reds fans can buy on the night but prices go up. Check the pricing structure and details
Follow it live:
Reds Player HD subscribers can enjoy full commentary of the game with John Barnett and Tom Allman from 7.40pm.
Fans can follow all the action with minute-by-minute updates on the club’s Twitter account, and also get half-time and full time updates on our Facebook page.
Instagram and Snapchat users can go behind the scenes before and after the game.
After the game – a full report and reaction can be found on our website and Reds Player HD.