This time we have gathered the views of 3 Colchester fans
A bit about you:
Name: Graham Moores
Current home town: Sudbury, Suffolk – Birthplace: Sudbury How long have you supported your team? 19 years
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: If you've been to Layer Road you will know it’s hardly the new Wembley! , that said its quite funny to see the away fans faces as they see it when they get off their coaches!. We have a new ground for the start of next season so Layer Roads days are numbered, but even though it is a rusty old ground the atmosphere is excellent and you are right on top of the action, and I will miss that.
Favourite match played by your team & why: I’ve watched a lot of games over the last 19 years but beating Ipswich at home last season was hard to beat, being regarded as their "little neighbours". That said the whole of last season at home was totally thrilling and we turned over most sides, so your point last year was a good result!
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Their has been some great players and characters at Colchester, and being a club that has spent virtually all its life in the lower divisions and a dark period even in non-league many will be unheard of outside the club really. I suppose even though he turned his back on us in the Summer, for me it would still be Jamie Cureton. He was lethal in front of goal and you just knew he could turn a game. However the manner of his departure will make it hard for many other Colchester fans to agree with me on this one and he sadly may never go down in the clubs hall of fame.
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? For me it’s Teddy Sheringham. He may be getting on, but he’s still got so much quality. We look a much better side when he is playing….
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Clive Platt. Big strong centre forward, known as "the tree". He wins everything in the air and is very strong. He has filled Chris Iwelumo's boots nicely. Give him too much room and he will find players working around him.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? You've bought so many I’ve lost track of them! You got some steel in all the ex-Birmingham lads you signed, but I think DJ Campbell for me. He's so quick and id be excited to watch him week in, week out. That said Matty Fryatt seems to be delivering this year.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Most of our prospects have been pinched already and unfortunately our main prospect for the future is a loanee! Matt Connolly on loan from Arsenal, is a cool on the ball, cultured young centre back, remember that name. We would love him full time here. Come on Arsene Wenger you've got enough players anyway.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? I think half way, which after last season barn stormer of a season will settle us down nicely, As long as we stay up and see the new ground in, in the championship, I’m sure we can still go on from there and who knows one day get up another level.
How do you think you’ll do against us? Both sides have made in-different starts, its been a bit of a rollercoaster for for you guys with all the new players and new managers and you will have expected to be in the mixer with Watford and Charlton I’m sure before the season kicked off. But hopefully we can turn it on at home and just take the points I think.
Any other comments? Enjoy the season.
A bit about you:
Name: Nick Wash
Current home town: Wolston (Warwickshire) Birthplace: Braintree, Essex How long have you supported your team? 21 years (Ironically I started following them when I moved away from Essex to go to Leicester Poly).
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: The fact that everyone else says it’s sh*t (which it is) and doesn’t like going there. Also the fact that the stands are really close to the pitch creates a good atmosphere.
Favourite match played by your team & why: In terms of entertainment, Colchester 5, Bristol Rovers 4 from a number of seasons ago was quite special. More recently, completing the double over Southend last season with a 3-0 away victory was good. Especially as the match was live on Sky and the 3-0 defeat flattered them.
Favourite player of all time: Lomanu Tresor Lua Lua – he was so unpredictable that even he didn’t know what he was going to do next. His gymnastic goal celebrations were excellent and have never been bettered in my view.
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Kem Izzet has been a good servant to the club for many years. He always gives everything to the cause.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? If he’s fit, then Teddy Sheringham. Despite being even older than me, he has proved earlier in the season that he can certainly do a good job at this level. To use an old cliché “Class is permanent”.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Matty Fryatt has the potential to be a good player I think. I know he’s only performed well sporadically so far, but given time I think he could bag a lot of goals.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Probably Matthew Connolly. A quick, young defender on loan from Arsenal who looks like he has a lot of potential. He was a bit unlucky to get sent off against Charlton recently.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? About 15th. Hopefully we can comfortably avoid relegation to go into our new stadium next season whilst still in the Championship.
How do you think you’ll do against us? Two draws last year with the away side being the better team in both matches. I’d expect similarly tight matches this year.
Any other comments? I enjoyed my trip to the Walkers Stadium last season and I was impressed with Leicester’s pricing policy for youngsters – particularly the fact that it was free for me to take my 6 year old son. It is really good to see a club engendering such a positive family ethos.
A bit about you:
Name: JON BURNS
Current home town: COLCHESTER Birthplace: COLCHESTER How long have you supported your team? OVER 20 YEARS
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: LAYER ROAD, ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE PULLED DOWN NEXT YEAR AS THE U'S MOVE INTO THEIR NEW STADIUM, HAS MANY CHARMS AND MEMORIES THAT U'S FANS CHERISH. FOR ME, THE BEST THING HAS TO BE THAT YOU CAN STILL CHOOSE TO STAND AND WATCH FOOTBALL AT LAYER ROAD. I REALLY HOPE THAT SAFE STANDING AREAS WILL BE INTRODUCED EVENTUALLY
Favourite match played by your team & why: THAT'S A TOUGH ONE AS THERE ARE SO MANY. IF PUSHED TO CHOOSE, IN RECENT TIMES, IT HAS TO BE THE YEOVIL TOWN V COLCHESTER UNITED GAME AT THE CLOSE OF THE 2005-2006 SEASON, WHEN THE U'S WON PROMOTION TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. IT WAS ONE BIG PARTY AND THE SMILES WERE EVERYWHERE. WE JUST TOO BUSY HUGGING EACH OTHER AND CRYING THAT WE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THE GROUND!
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: MARK KINSELLA – ONE OF THE GAMES TRUE NATURALS
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? KARL DUGUID. I'VE SEEN HIM PROGRESS RIGHT FROM THE YOUTH TEAM TO HIS CURRENT ROLE AS SKIPPER. KARL HAS SHOWN GUTS TO COME THROUGH SEVERAL SERIOUS INJURIES IN HIS CAREER AND IS SOMETHING OF A RARITY THESE DAYS IN FOOTBALL – A ONE CLUB PLAYER. HE'S LITERALLY "MR COLCHESTER UNITED"
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? TEDDY SHERINGHAM – A WEALTH OF FOOTBALLING EXPERIENCE OF COURSE. THERE IS LITTLE IN FOOTBALL THAT TEDDY HASN'T EITHER SEEN OR DONE. A TRUE ASSET FOR THE U'S AND UNDERESTIMATE HIM AT YOUR PERIL!
Player in our squad you most fear and why? MATT FRYATT – A PROVEN GOALSCORER IN HIS CAREER AND JUST BECAUSE HE MAY BE HAVING A LEAN PATCH AT THE MOMENT, THE U'S MUST BE ON THEIR GUARD
Up and coming prospect in your squad? GEORGE ELOKOBI – EXTREMELY LIKEABLE OFF THE PITCH, BUT ON THE PITCH AS STRONG AS AN OX WITH A POWERFUL LEFT BOOT. HAS REALLY WORKED HARD TO MAKE THE LEFT BACK BERTH HIS OWN AND IF HE CONTINUES IN THE SAME VEIN THEN HE COULD HAVE A BIG FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM.
Where do you think you’ll finish this season? I'D LIKE TO SEE COLCHESTER UNITED FINISH IN THE TOP HALF OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE AGAIN. WITH A DECENT RUN THEN A CRACK AT THE PLAY OFFS WOULD BE NICE TOO!
How do you think you’ll do against us? THE U'S HAVE THE FIREPOWER TO THREATEN THE LEICESTER GOAL, BUT NEED TO TIGHTEN UP DEFENSIVELY. THERE'LL BE GOALS I'M SURE, AND SO I PREDICT AN ENTERTAINING 3-2 VICTORY AT LAYER ROAD FOR THE U'S
Any other comments? THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS GOING TO BE CLOSER THAN EVER THIS SEASON, SO POINTS ARE CRUCIAL FOR BOTH TEAMS. ENJOY LAYER ROAD, BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T MAKE GROUNDS LIKE THIS ANYMORE!