COLCHESTER 0 CITY 1
I arrived at the new Colchester United ground with eager expectation. It is a smart, but small, new stadium and being in a crowd of 5,000 was a strange experience.
Nigel Pearson chose to keep the same side that played well against Hartlepool, with Adams keeping Gradel on the bench. City started at top speed with Dyer very prominent on the wing and crossing well. Fryatt went very close with a header. This turned out to be one of at least five chances he had through the match.
City continued to pass well and move at pace with all players comfortable on the ball. It was especially good to see both Powell and Gilbert inter-passing with Dyer and Adams and linking up with our midfield. Hobbs and Tunchev were very strong in the centre of defence, played the ball out well, and Fryatt looked really sharp and mobile throughout.
Howard looked like he would convert a good run and cross by Fryatt in the 12th minute, but an excellent blocking tackle by Reid stopped what looked like a sure fire goal.
The first half ended 0-0 but we were comfortably the better side….
City began the second half at the same tempo as the first half and soon scored with a swift counter attack. This occurred from a poor corner by Colchester, played by Gilbert to Fryatt who turned well and sent Dyer in for a good 25 yard shot into the far corner.
City continued to press and chances fell to Fryatt, Oakley and King. The Colchester keeper played well and frustratingly we could not get the second goal. Colchester did not even force Martin to make a save, so secure was our defence.
Pearson, as in the match against Hartlepool, refused to make substitutions which would have unbalanced the side as the match reached the last 10 minutes. However, Colchester began to pile on some pressure . As the minutes ticked by. Hobbs gave away a free kick about 30 yards away. Yeates, who otherwise was anonymous throughout, hit a superb shot which rebounded out from the inside of the post. It was a lucky let off but would have given Colchester an undeserved draw.
This was, in my opinion, a very impressive away win. All the Colchester fans I spoke to said City were the best side faced this season so far. Whilst it is great to see City at the top of the league I am most impressed with the way the team plays and the consistent approach by Nigel Pearson to team selection.
Everyone seems to know what is required of them and the movement and passing is so enjoyable to watch, especially compared to the awful football we watched last year. We seem at last, through adversity, to have found a sense of purpose with calm management from Nigel Pearson, good buys and loan players and consistent selection of players. There’s a long way to go but I just cannot wait for the next match!
Colchester: Gerken, White, Reid, Heath, Jackson, Yeates, Hammond (Vernon 68), Izzet, Perkins (Elito 83), Platt, Borrowdale. Subs Not Used: Cousins, Coyne, Wordsworth.
Booked: Platt.
Leicester: Martin, Gilbert, Hobbs, Tunchev, Powell, Adams, Oakley, Andy King, Dyer, Fryatt, Howard. Subs Not Used: Henderson, Wesolowski, Morrison, Gradel, Berner.
Booked: Howard. Goals: Dyer 49.
Att: 5,133 Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).