Colchester United: Dark Horses For League Two Promotion (Opinion)
Colchester are 16th favourites for promotion from League Two this season.
They can be found in 10th and 12th on two 1-24 predictions, but the general consensus is ‘they’ll be alright, but not in the top seven hunt’. They’re not considered a dark horse for promotion, but as the summer presses on, we think there’s a real chance Danny Cowley’s side could be in the conversation come next April.
🚨 LEAGUE TWO PREDICTIONS
Here’s my 1-24 predictions for the @SkyBetLeagueTwo season ahead.
I’ve also done a video for the reasoning on why I’ve gave my selections.
Please head over like, comment and retweet 🔄https://t.co/y51myYCyEq#SkyBetLeagueTwo #LeagueTwo #League2… pic.twitter.com/6zA5hqrTJc
— Around the Grounds (@aroundgroundsss) August 7, 2024
Here are three reasons why Colchester United are dark horses for promotion.
Danny Cowley is a Winner
This might not be the opinion of Portsmouth and Huddersfield fans, but Cowley is a winner. He understands the lower levels of football better than anyone, and is young enough to still be adaptable and have a long career ahead.
Their time at Lincoln was outstanding, but it is worth explaining why. They fostered a ‘refuse-to-lose’ mentality, using players who were more like family to them than footballers. Those players put their bodies on the line, they believed in what Cowley wanted to do and understood their roles perfectly.
Knowing a level is important, and Cowley can draw on his experience of finishing seventh and top in successive seasons as a roadmap for his Colchester side. Yes, the division has changed a lot, but he is still absolutely a relevant and successful coach, but this time, he has a point to prove.
89th minute: Gateshead 1 – 0 Lincoln City
93rd minute: Gateshead 1 – 2 Lincoln CityDanny Cowley’s men don’t know when to quit! 🙌👏 pic.twitter.com/H6BhmvY5Cr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2017
The Squad
We talked about their players at Lincoln, and he’s gone back and grabbed a big general from his time there: Alex Woodyard. Woodyard wasn’t a part of their title-winning team in 2019, but he did help them to the play-offs the year before, the Checkatrade Trophy victory and the National League win. Woodyard will be at his best under his former mentor.
Harry Anderson is another – he had an injury-hit campaign with Stevenage, but he’s been promoted twice from this division, with Lincoln and Bristol Rovers. He was part of Cowley’s National League winning team and impressed for Lincoln in League One as they went to the play-off final. He’s another big name for Colchester.
The squad fits the Cowley’s football as well. Tom Hopper is a target man that Cowley wanted to sign during his time at Lincoln but didn’t. Lyle Taylor played for Cowley in the non-league and should be perfect for playing off Hopper if Hopper plays regularly. There’s real knowledge in the squad.
89th minute: Gateshead 1 – 0 Lincoln City
93rd minute: Gateshead 1 – 2 Lincoln CityDanny Cowley’s men don’t know when to quit! 🙌👏 pic.twitter.com/H6BhmvY5Cr
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 17, 2017
Ted Bishop
Every team needs a spark, a player who makes things happen. Jack Payne looked to be that individual, but yesterday’s signing of Bishop was huge. He had eight goal involvements in League One last season, and at times was unplayable. Cowley likes someone who can make a difference, an unknown quantity who can be sublime in flashes. In the past, he’s had the likes of Jsh Ginnelly and Joe Ward on loan, players who went on to better things. He signed Jorge Grant at Lincoln and Dane Scarlett at Portsmouth, players who just had that ‘something’ you can’t quite quantify.
Getting that player in completes a Cowley side, and Bishop could take League Two by the scruff of the neck and shake it right up, if he stays fit.
