20Questions - Colchester (a)

Last updated : 27 April 2006 By Bigrich.....
Who are you, where are you from and how long have you supported your club?

I'm Matt Hudson, Colchester United's media manager - I am from Colchester (of course!) and have supported Colchester regularly since 1989 and have been working at the club since 2001.

What was your first game?
The first that I can remember fully is Leyton Orient - there were slightly smaller crowds than we're getting at the moment! Although 1989/90 was a relegation season, the only way has been up since then!

Describe the most memorable and the worst game you have seen and why?
Under Phil Parkinson, we have been very fortunate to have many memorable games, especially in the FA Cup where we have reached the Fifth Round twice and the Fourth Round once in his three seasons in charge.

Of those, the 3-1 win over Coventry stands out, as well as the match against Wycombe in the league that same season (03/04). This season has had some fantastic games, which will live long in the memory.

The worst game was probably Southend this season - we were three down in thirty minutes and it was an afternoon where everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

Who are your current local rivals and why?
Southend are our local rivals and this season - the first in fifteen years we've been in the same division - has renewed that rivalry. Wycombe are our other rivals, and although they are 100 miles away, the battles in the Conference remain fresh in the memory.

Who are the best and worst players you have seen?
On our side, I would have to say that we are fortunate to have some very good players at the moment, although Mark Kinsella and Lomana Tresor Lua Lua are two U's players who have gone onto better things.

Ex-Miller Kevin Watson's passing range is sublime and the goals of Neil Danns from midfield put him right up there.

We have had some stinkers at the club over the years too - not since I have been working here thankfully, so I'd say Mark Nicholls on loan from Chelsea wasn't the best and Ron Green is a goalkeeper from the past who is rather infamous!

How did you fare last season?
Suffered badly from injuries but stuck around mid-table for much of the campaign - this year, we have been far more fortunate in that regard, although have missed Marino Keith this year.

Auto or Play-offs??
Ask me at 5pm on Saturday! It's in our own hands and, after the fine win down at Bournemouth last week there is an increased sense of expectation. If we can beat a well organised Millers side, I'd say we've got every chance of automatic.

If Colchester were a TV personality, who would it be and why?
Someone well organised, small and who does better than they should do... Lorraine Kelly? You've got me stumped on that one!

Which team do you want to beat this season the most and why?
We wanted to beat Southend but they took six points from us! We've put a few bogeys to bed during the campaign though - Gillingham, MK Dons and Brentford have all had the hoodoo over us in the past but we've defeated them all in style this year.

So what do you think of The Millers?
When we played you earlier in the season, it was in the middle of your losing run and you looked a side low on confidence. I remmber one chance you had where the forward really should have gone on and had a shot, but he didnt have the self belief to do so.

I have watched your results closely since then, not least because the two managers are close friends, and I have been impressed with recent results. I think it's going to be a tough test but the players at Rotherham have done well despite the off field distractions.

Which current or former Millers player has impressed you the most?
Well, we've been more than happy with Kevin Watson!

I like the look of Lee Williamson - plenty of energy and gets about the park. I would take him at Col U!

Are you happy with your chairman and board members?
Very - a tightly run ship that is bearing dividends now. They took a chance when they took on Phil Parkinson and the last three years have been steady but notable progression from mid-table to a genuine promotion chasing side.

Campbell-Ryce, hows he going with you??
He's not had many games as yet but has offered us an attacking outlet when required. He came on at 2-0 down at Chesterfield and helped get us a draw there and then came on at 0-0 v Tranmere and we won 1-0. A useful 'other option' at the moment.

With just a few games left, whats your overall view on this season?
Well, we've been to the Fifth Round of the cup, played Chelsea and nearly matched them. We've equalled the club's best result (9-1), we've also equalled and then - on a separate occasion - beaten the club's record winning streak.

If we get promoted, we'll be in the top two divisions for the first time in our history - that's what's on offer to our players.

What sort of line up can we expect from you?
Things have been going very well of late, so it's likely to be a very similar side as to recent weeks, I would think.

Who's your strongest/weakest link?
Can;t give too many tactics away! Neil Danns has been excellent for us all season, whilst Wayne Brown is likely to be in contention for the Player of the Year award. We have a few match winners, so it will be interesting to see how we get on on Saturday.

As for weakest links, well that's been the good thing this year - the success has been a team effort.
What's your predicted score?

Who's going up?
We are, hopefully. Can't see Southend dropping to third and the play-offs are likely to go to Forest if they can get back in over the next couple of games.

Who's going down?
Well, Walsall are gone. It's a big ask for Swindon to win their last two. As for the rest, it's so difficult to tell but there will be a few fans listening to radios on May 6th!

And finally….Meat and tatty, Beef n Onion or Balti?
Beef and onion!

MillersMAD would like to thank Matt for his time, his site can be found at www.cu-fcchat.co.uk

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