What Swindon Town can expect from Colchester United

Danny Cowley’s side will be looking to replicate something similar to his Lincoln team’s run in the 2016/2017 season, where they reached the quarter-finals.

It has been a season to forget for the U’s so far this season as they are level on points with the Robins despite many statement signings such as Jack Payne, Lyle Taylor, and Teddy Bishop.

But what can Swindon expect on Saturday?

Colchester’s setup

A 4-2-3-1 is how the visitors have lined up this season and has always been the favoured formation of the Cowley brothers. At times they have made a rare change to a three-back or a 4-4-2, something that was heavily employed during their time at Lincoln City.

In the 4-2-3-1 system, a target man such as Lyle Taylor, Tom Hopper, or Samson Tovide will sit up top and will feed off either the wingers or the attacking midfielder as they are rarely involved in the build-up. The job for the main forward will be to provide an outlet if they were to go long, which is how Colchester can attempt to create chances if their style of patiently playing out of the back is not working.

Jack Payne is also very important to how they will operate, as he is the main attacking source for chances. He has created the most chances per 90 minutes in the entire division (29) and ranks eighth for expected assists (2.9) but has slightly overperformed that metric as he’s picked up four assists in the league.

When it comes to their struggles this season, they find it difficult to defend in the box. Whether that’s from crosses or loose balls in the area, they cannot clear their lines. With such a quality backline on paper, it’s a shock to see them struggle in this area of the pitch. Swindon’s goal on Saturday should be to utilise their options out wide, get the ball into the box and use the height in the middle to get shots off and create plenty of chances.

Former Town player Jack Payne could show what Swindon are missing (Image: Adver Archive) In the dugout

The Cowley brothers are the duo in charge, with Danny being the main man and Nicky as his assistant. They have been in management since 2008 and have had an unbelievable journey together. Experience in non-league helped them secure a move to Lincoln, and that put their names on the map. Promotion to League Two and League One with a historic cup run in the process secured them a move to Huddersfield in 2019, and since then they’ve managed Portsmouth and now Colchester.

Having won the National League, League Two and the EFL Trophy, it’s been a successful career so far for the two, but it’s not been an easy turnaround so far. They kept the U’s up on the final day with a draw against Grimsby but this season they’ve underachieved expectations massively, being at the wrong end of the table, in 21st place.

Key players

As stated earlier, Payne is a very important player and is a key player in midfield and can play as a 10 or an 8 and has switched between those two positions this season. Swindon fans will already know how good he is, but other names that are recognisable are Rob Hunt, Mandela Egbo and Ellis Iandolo, players who all appeared in the team a few years ago under Ben Garner.

Promising youngster Tovide has caught a few eyes this season, scoring three and setting up four in 11 league games but came off a few weeks back against Cheltenham so it remains a mystery to whether he will play a part on the weekend. Taylor has taken his spot since his injury and is a familiar name for fans throughout the EFL having played for AFC Wimbledon, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest, normally scoring goals wherever he has been.