Colchester United manager Danny Cowley has hailed the dynamite strike partnership of Lyle Taylor and Samson Tovide, as the duo continue to provide crucial goals for the League Two side.
Dubbed the “T ‘n’ T partnership,” Taylor and Tovide have contributed 12 of Colchester’s 23 league goals this season, proving to be a potent force in attack.
Balancing Talent and Fixture Congestion
Cowley emphasised the importance of ensuring both forwards are on the pitch together but admitted that careful rotation is necessary, particularly with the busy festive fixture schedule approaching.
“They’re a real handful and I wouldn’t swap either of them for any forward at this level, that’s for sure. We always try to get both of them on the pitch together, but we have to be intelligent with how we do that and we have to be quite disciplined.”
With Colchester preparing for a packed run of matches, Cowley noted that managing player fitness is key, particularly given the intensity and energy the team demands of their forwards.
“Lyle is a very, very important player to us,” Cowley continued. “But he is 34, and we have to be mindful of the quick turnaround in games. We probably used him longer than anticipated against AFC Wimbledon because we lost Samson in the warm-up.”
Effective Partnership Despite Challenges
The Taylor-Tovide duo has only started together in seven of Colchester’s 19 league games this season due to injuries. Despite this, their chemistry on the pitch has been undeniable, with Tovide assisting four of Taylor’s goals.
“The way that we play, with the energy and the intensity that we defend with, takes a lot out of the nines, the tens, the sevens, and the 11s,” Cowley explained. “So we have to be quite rotational, I suppose.”
Looking Ahead
With a challenging run of fixtures over the festive period, Cowley will need to strike the right balance between utilising his star forwards and managing their workload. The “T ‘n’ T” partnership has been a bright spot for Colchester this season, and keeping them fit and firing could prove pivotal to their success.
Writer’s View
The combination of Taylor’s experience and Tovide’s energy gives Colchester United a dynamic and effective attacking edge. Danny Cowley’s cautious approach to rotation is pragmatic, ensuring both players stay fresh for the demanding League Two season. If the “T ‘n’ T” partnership can remain fit, it could be the key to driving Colchester further up the table.
