Football Season Guide

League 2

England

League 2

2019/2020

Colchester United

In

Dean Gerken (Goalkeeper, Ipswich Town), Danny Collinge (Defender, Free agent), Luke Ige (Defender, Aston Villa), Matthew Weaire (Defender, Brighton & Hove Albion), Omar Sowunmi (Defender, Yeovil Town), Jevani Brown (Midfielder, Cambridge United), Kwame Poku (Midfielder, Worthing), Luke Gambin (Midfielder, Luton Town), Michael Fernandes (Midfielder, Farnborough), Paris Cowan-Hall (Midfielder, Wycombe Wanderers)

Out

Dillon Barnes (sp) (Goalkeeper, Queens Park Rangers), Rene Gilmartin (sp) (Goalkeeper, Bristol City), Frankie Kent (r) (Defender, Peterborough United), Noah Chesmain (Defender, Maidstone United), Brennan Dickenson (r) (Midfielder, MK Dons), Abo Eisa (sp) (Midfielder, Shrewsbury Town, Loan ended), Ryan Gondoh (Midfielder, released), Sam Saunders (Midfielder, retired), Sammy Szmodics (k) (Midfielder, Bristol City), Mikael Mandron (sp) (Attacker, Gillingham)

Colchester United suffered a heartbreaking end to last season; having been just three minutes away from sealing a play-off place. A late equaliser from Newport County at Morecambe meant the U’s would miss out again as a season which promised much ended in disappointment. Some will point the finger at head coach John McGreal for failing to find the necessary consistency from his undoubtedly talented side. Another season of underachievement in unlikely to be tolerated despite seeing several influential players move on to pastures new this summer. The blow of losing the likes of centre-back Frankie Kent and midfield playmaker Sammy Szmodics to Peterborough United and Bristol City respectively has been softened by receiving transfer fees approaching £1million. That money has allowed McGreal to be aggressive in the transfer market and pull off something of a coup with the capture of midfield playmaker Jevani Brown from Cambridge United. Experienced goalkeeper Dean Gerken, centre-back Omar Sowunmi and winger Paris Cowan-Hall are also likely to go straight into the starting XI. The return of midfielder Harry Pell from injury is also a boost as the U’s head into the new season looking for a top three finish.

Target

Automatic promotion. It’s time for the U’s deliver after three seasons in League 2 and they certainly have one of the strongest squads in the division.