Danny Cowley sang the praises of Colchester United forward Brad Ihionvien ahead of their trip to Barrow this weekend.
The 20-year-old scored his fifth goal of the season in United’s 1-1 draw with Salford City last weekend, making just his second appearance of 2024 at Moor Lane.
Primarily used as a bench player, Ihionvien has become highly effective as a sub for the Essex side, also recording three assists this season from 22 league matches.
It has been a breakout season for the striker, with his last appearance in the first team before 2023 coming two years earlier.
Speaking to the press ahead of Colchester’s game away to Barrow, Head Coach Danny Cowley spoke highly of his youngster. [Quotes via Daily Gazette]: “Brad’s a great kid; he’s got so much potential.
“He’s a young boy who’s super confident and wants to do well.
“I woke up this morning with a spring in my step, because I came into work knowing that I had the opportunity to work with an outstanding young player.
“I have no doubt that the future is so exciting for Bradley, like it is for Samson (Tovide).”
His goal away to Salford was his fourth in the league this season, coming on the pitch just two minutes before getting The U’s equaliser.
Ihionvien is the fifth top scorer at the club this season, and ranks fifth as well in combined goals and assists.
Detailling his goal against The Ammies, Cowley was impressed as his improvment on using his weaker foot. He added: “When we came in, we knew he was super strong on his left side but he had work to do on his right side and he’s really taken that work on.
“It was a great goal off his right side at Salford, so credit to him for the extra work he’s been doing, on that aspect of his game.
“Anything is possible for Brad, which is great if he keeps working, keeps training hard.
“With young players, our job is to try to set them up for success and we have to find the best way of setting Bradley up for success and making sure that the context is right for him, that he has the right players around him, to suit his strengths.
“We know that if we do that well, he’ll score goals.”
After being winless in their last five matches, Colchester find themselves in 22nd place ahead of their trip to Holker Street.
Pete Wild’s side come into the game in sixth place and fresh from a two week break, beating Gillingham 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Writer’s View
Bradley Ihionvien has become a sort of super sub for Colchester over the season, providing an extra physical and pace boost in the late stages of games. Teams with slower defenders will struggle against such a energised forward, as some have done across the campaign.
His ability across 90 minutes does need to be assessed as The U’s find themselves in a relegation battle. Forest Green Rovers are just five points behind in the first relegation place, with Sutton United just one point behind them. Ihionvien is reportedly in with a chance of starting against Barrow, which will provide a great opportunity to stake a claim a spot in the starting eleven.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
