1.In your opinion, how did 2018-19 go for your side?
On the whole, it was a great season, spoiled by 2 bad runs of form in January and March-April. We outplayed the majority of teams, but terrible performances against the likes of Swindon, Crawley and Forest Green cost us dearly. I think we were one of the best 7 teams in the league, but poor team and individual performances meant we missed out on the playoffs, with lots of games where we could have gained that extra point for 7th place.
2.What was your favourite moment in 2018-19?
For an individual moment, it has to be Vincent-Young’s 96th minute winner against Cambridge. We took over 1000 and the scenes when the goal went in were as good as I’ve been in! Individual performances against Northampton away and MK Dons at home really stand out too.
3.What was your worst moment in 2018-19?
There’s no one moment that stands out, although Luke Norris picking up a nasty injury in November ruined his golden form. He never found that form again and didn’t even score after his return in December. Similarly, losing Harry Pell for the season in February was painful too.
4.Which player impressed you the most on your team?
Vincent-Young was my player of the season, he’s such a skilful full back and is more like a winger at times, with his trickery and ability to score long-range goals. Frankie Kent continues to be a rising star and the most likely to make it to the premier league in our squad in my view. Sammie Szmodics turns nothing into something on a regular basis and again, has the quality to play higher up. Honourable mentions go to Harry Pell and Ryan Jackson. The most surprising player was Sam Saunders, who showed so much class in his short spell and I really hope he stays with us next year.
5.Which opposition player made the biggest impression?
Early in the season, Matt Crooks was outstanding for Northampton and was hugely impressive. Elsewhere, CJ Hamilton and Reece Brown stood out against us. Another young player I like a lot is Charlie Kirk at Crewe, I would put them as dark horses for promotion next year with a very young and exciting squad.
6.What are your hopes for 2019-20?
After losing out by a point in 2 out of the last 3 seasons, making the playoffs is a must for John McGreal to keep his job. Aiming for automatics is definitely possible, as long as we have a good window, with lots of our players supposedly being eyed up by bigger clubs.
7.Which area of the team needs most improvement for next season?
Our goalkeeping situation has been a mess throughout the season, with Dillon Barnes looking shaky and Rene Gilmartin looking simply dreadful, although the emergence of Ethan Ross in the last two and a half games is certainly promising. The other area to improve is up front, with Frank Nouble often deployed out wide and Luke Norris and Mika Mandron not showing the goalscoring form needed for a promotion push, albeit Norris was disrupted by injury. With the likes of Szmodics and Tom Eastman out of contract and others such as Kent and Courtney Senior being linked with moves away, it could be a very busy window. Hopefully we keep hold to the majority of the squad and with a few additions, we’ll be ready for a promotion push next season.
words Liam Bojas, Colchester United fan