Colchester v Hull City

Phil Parkinson returns to his old ‘home’ following his departure in the Summer. With Colchester having done surprisingly well during their first Championship season, mainly due to their home form, Parkinson will be hoping to put a dent in his former team’s season as he looks to kick-start the faltering season of the Tigers.

Vital Quotes:

Colchester United Team News:

Kevin Watson returned against Southend United and the midfielder will be hoping to continue in the middle of the park alongside Jackson.

Richard Garcia may feature during the game as he steps up his recovery from injury. On loan West Ham striker Hogan Ephraim may also feature after making his debut in the derby victory over neighbours Southend United.

Chris Barker was sent-off during the victory over Southend, meaning the player will now serve a suspension.

Player to watch: Greg Halford

The attacking right-back has attracted the interest of Premiership clubs on more than one occasion. The versatile player can play in both defensive and attacking positions, and the Tigers defence will have to watch him closely.

Hull City Team News:

Phil Parkinson has no fresh injury worries. After a good performance at Norwich, the team named is expected to be the same one that rescued a point late on in their last fixture.

Stephen McPhee is hopeful of involvement in the fixture whilst Michael Bridges has travelled with the squad after being omitted from the squad hat travelled to Norwich.

Player to watch: Craig Fagan

The former Colchester man should need no motivation for this game. The right-winger will be looking to put in a man of the match performance against his former employer’s in order to remind them what they sold.

Match Facts & Stats

As always, stats provided by ‘Rabid Rob’

Hull City – Colchester Utd

All matches:
Played: 27
Won: 10
Drawn: 7
Lost: 10
Goals For: 40
Goals Against: 37

Matches at Colchester:
Played: 13
Won: 4
Drawn: 4
Lost: 5
Goals For: 17
Goals Against: 22


Best result (at Colchester)
25/10/1958 Colchester United 1 HCFC 3
Bradbury, Smith, Coates. Attn: 9,277

Worst result (at Colchester)
20/08/1960 Colchester United 4 HCFC 0
Attn: 6,713

The two matches listed above were the first two games played at Layer Road by City. I’d settle for the first rather than the second!

Ref Watch:

Refere: P MILLER

Assistant Referee’s: S P Beck and S D Tomlinson

Fourth Official : J E Pearce

Match Prediction:

With Colchester having won seven consecutive home games, this fixture will be a difficult one. Layer Road is becoming something of a fortress for the Essex club but if anyone should know how to knock the walls down, it should be Phil Parkinson.

The manager enjoyed several successful seasons with the club but come tonight, he will be hoping for nothing other than his former team losing the game.

A tight affair and one that can’t be separated. Vital Hull prediction: 1-1

Next Fixtures:

Coca-Cola Championship:

02.12.2006: Hull City v Southampton (3 p.m)