Colchester United fan Mark Wilson talks us through how he sees next season going for the League One side and his predictions for the coming season…

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How has the transfer window treated Colchester so far? 

Very good surprisingly, we’ve bought well in Freddie Sears and Clinton Morrison and got rid of quite a bit of dead wood. Players like Kayode Odejayi, Steven Gillespie and Ashley Vincent all promised much when they joined but never delivered, especially in terms of goals scored. Gillespie was the biggest disappointment considering he came with glowing reviews of banging them in for Liverpool reserves but he never stayed fit for more than a fortnight when he was with us. He always gave the impression of a 13 year old boy being allowed to play with his dad’s mates. Sears and Morrison should form a good partnership in League One having both played at the highest level. The mix of youth and experience will hopefully get us 30 goals at least this season.

Any key players you have managed to retain? 

We’ve hung on to Anthony Wordsworth who I thought would go up to the Championship this summer considering he’s been looked at by quite a few clubs and regularly scores 10 goals from midfield a season.

Which of the new signings are you most excited by?

Freddie Sears. Having broken through to the West Ham first team at such a young age when they were in the Premiership, he must have a lot of talent. I thought he’d have maybe gone down to the Championship and not League One so hopefully he can do well for us.

Any regrets over players that got away?

We seem to have been playing our cards very close to our chest this summer so not aware of anyone that we missed out on.

Anyone that you’re surprised is still at the club?

Kem Izzet, I don’t know why we didn’t get rid of him about 3 seasons ago. I’m sure he should be playing in the Blue Square Premier by now.

If you could change one thing about Colu what would it be? 

That we once and for all actually fulfil our early season promise and make the play offs. We’ve been in the top 6 or so at Christmas for the past 4 seasons and yet always have a terrible New Year and drop down to mid table by April. On paper, we have a squad good enough to get to the play offs, we just never seem to keep it going for the whole season.

What are your hopes for the team this season?

To get in the play offs and actually give ourselves a chance of a shot at promotion rather than toying with the idea till Christmas and then completely forgetting about it.

Realistically what would you consider as success for Colchester this season?

Just getting in the Play offs will be a success, no matter what the end result is. We haven’t achieved that for a long time.

What has to happen for the club to deliver the season you hope for?

Having a pair of strikers that actually score goals. For the past few seasons, we’ve relied on our midfielders chipping in with 7 – 10 goals each to get us going. If Sears and Morrison get 30 goals between them, we stand a very good chance of being in the play offs. We’re solid at the back and don’t lose too many. Our problem last year was drawing too many but that came from not scoring enough.

We’ll let you dream now, if you could have any player from any team in world football at Colu who would you take and why?

Messi – stick him up front by himself and make the rest of the team defend and we’d win every game this season! This wouldn’t work in the Premiership but it would in League One!

Speaking of the Premiership, who do you think will win the league?

Man City – assuming they keep Aguero, Silva, Tevez, Hart and Toure and they all stay fit.

And your going for City because…

no-one else is better

Who’ll take the remaining Champions League spots?

Chelsea, Man Utd, Spurs

So Arsenal won’t make the cut?

Assuming Van Persie goes, they’ll struggle more than they have done for years

Will an English team win the Champions League? Whose your tip?

Barcelona

Who’ll win the FA Cup?

Liverpool

And the three clubs that will fall through the trap door?

West Ham, QPR, Wigan

There is always one club that surprises everyone. Last season it was Newcastle, who will it be this time?

Southampton – 1^st season effect like Norwich & Swansea last year

Finally, who do think will be the first managerial casualty to be relieved of his duties (With immediate effect)?

Big Sam – if West Ham play anything like they did against us in the friendly, he’ll be sacked by mid September

Mark Wilson (Colchester United Fan)