4 players booked now
4 players booked now
Att 7136
Described as a 'damp squib' on the radio, that sums it up for me, I think we're going to struggle to live up to the pre season hype based on this and what we saw in pre season.
Disappointing start to the season but at least it's a point, on to Tuesday now
That was very disappointing, but not very surprising given the pre-season.
Colchester were very hard to break down and physical - typical League 2 team. They hit the bar and we got away with a couple of dodgy moments at the back, where we seemed lightweight by comparison to them. Fits also got away with some hesitant keeping.
We really struggled going forward - other than the Dennis miss from a few yards out and Nathan Thomas’ lob that needed a good save, we created nothing. One-paced throughout and very few forward passes from the midfield, making it comfortable for Colchester. Enzio had one good run but was otherwise anonymous and struggled to even control the ball (are we sure he’s Dutch?).
Positives? A clean sheet and one more point than at this stage last season. Also, the plus-7,000 crowd, who seemed pretty patient given the performance.
Maybe I am watching with rose-coloured spectacles, but it wasn't quite as bad as it sounded on the radio.
Colchester could've won it, but so could we if Dennis had connected properly with Enzio's cross or Thomas's clever lob had gone in......0-0 was about right in my book.
Good points - Vaughan was superb alongside Hewey....a class act
Enzio was absolutely terrific, a fans favourite in the making
Thomas on the other wing looked like a step up from Hawk and Aless....almost scored
Fitz looked confident in goal, came out well for crosses and raced out to nick the ball off their player when he was clear on goal....rolled the ball out at least 6 or 7 times
Bad points - Hemmings never saw the ball, Stead tried hard but to no effect
Jones spent more time attacking than defending....makes me nervous.
Overall a point in the bag, one better than this point last year....scrappy nervous game....serious gelification needed.
Noble scores for Hartlepool giving them a point.
First opening day goalless draw since Gudjon Thordarsson's first game in charge in August 2005.
30 years ago in August 1988, after missing out in the play off semi-finals under Barnwell the previous season, we also opened with a home 0-0.