The next team we look at ahead of the League One campaign is Colchester United.
LAST SEASON
The U`s started the 2013-14 season off well and were one of the front runners for the first few weeks after winning two out of their first three matches but after that, they went 11 League games without a win until that is, they came up against Posh at the end of October. The U`s won that encounter with Posh thanks to a goal by Macauley Bonne [pictured above] who was celebrating his 18th birthday. The winner was scored 15 minutes after Lee Tomlin had received one of his many red cards of the season!
It was the first full campaign under the guidance of manager Joe Dunne and it was one where the U`s found goals hard to come by. The notched up just 53 goals in their 46 League games as they finished in 16th place. They won their last two matches and ended six points above the relegation places!
THE MANAGER – JOE DUNNE
Joe Dunne had been caretaker boss of the U`s for four matches in 2009 but eventually got the chance to manage permanently for the first ever time when he took over the reins from John Ward in 2012.
The Irishman started his coaching career at Colchester after finishing his playing career. He earned his coaching badges and worked his way up the ladder from youth team level to first team manager.
His playing career started out at Gillingham where he played over 100 matches scoring one goal; he was a defender though! After six years at the Gills, he moved to Colchester where he had a much better striker rate – 3 goals in nearly 100 matches! After three years at the U`s, Dunne dropped down the Leagues to play for Dover Athletic before returning to the U`s to finish his career in 2003.
VISITING THE GROUND?
Posh have played four matches at the Weston Homes Community Stadium; home of Colchester United. The stadium opened in 2008 and has a capacity of just over 10,100 spectators.
Posh fans will once again be housed in the North Stand when we visit Essex at the end of August.
Post Code for SAT NAV: CO4 5UP
Distance from London Road: 93.4 miles
SUMMER BUSINESS SO FAR
Veteran striker Clinton Morrison has left the club after his contract expired this summer while captain Brian Wilson has also left the club in similar circumstances.
Youngsters Jordan Sanderson and Shaun Phillips have also been released while Ryan Dickson has decided to turn down the offer of a new contract and has signed for Crawley Town. Goalkeeper Mark Cousins has also rejected new terms and has signed for Dagenham & Redbridge.
It`s not all bad news as winger Dominic Vose has signed a new two-year deal while former Posh loanee Josh Thompson and David Wright have both agreed new one-year deals.
Newcomers to the team include goalkeeper Chris Lewington (Dagenham) and defenders Sean Clohessy (Kilmarnock) and Ben Gordon (Ross County) who all arrive on free transfers.
Another newcomer to the team and one who the U`s fans will be hoping can increase their scoring rate this season is striker Dan Holman. He has agreed a two-year deal and comes from Conference Premier side Braintree Town. He scored 24 goals in 55 appearances for the Iron last season.
THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH
There have been a lot of players to wear both Posh and U`s shirts during their time. Recent players include the likes of Guy Branston, Sagi Burton, Hogan Ephraim, Aaron McLean, Izale McLeod, Clive Platt and Tom Williams.
There is just one player that currently plays for the U`s that has represented Posh before and that is Josh Thompson who has just signed a new one-year contract.
Players who have represented the clubs a good few years ago include Tony Adcock, Fred Barber, Aidy Boothroyd, Tony Godden, David Gregory, Lee Smelt and Trevor Whymark.
PAST MEETINGS
Posh and the U`s met on three occasions last season with Posh winning two of those with the U`s winning the other one.
Those were just three of the 75 competitive matches that have been competed by these teams. Posh have won 34 matches compared to 25 wins for the U`s.
In the League, there have been 66 clashed which has resulted in just 13 draws. Posh have won 28 times with 25 wins for the U`s.
Posh have never lost a Cup match to the U`s.
The last League meeting between these two sides came at the start of April when Posh scored a goal in each half to ease to a comfortable 2-0 win.
Tommy Rowe opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark to put Posh on their way to three points and the match was sealed on 65 minutes when Britt Assombalonga added to his tally.
WHAT THE BOOKIES THINK
Colchester have massive odds of 80/1 to win League One in 2014-15. Only Crewe Alexandra have bigger odds!
The U`s are 28/1 to gain promotion while they are joint favourites, alongside Crewe and Gillingham, to get relegated with odds of 6/4.
UP THE POSH
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Photo courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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