Danny Cowley was full of praise for his Colchester United side after securing a victory over automatic promotion hopefuls Notts County, as reported by The Daily Gazette.
The 1-0 win keeps Colchester’s playoff hopes alive as they are just three points behind Grimsby Town with five left to play.
Cowley Eulogises Over His Group
Following a disappointing two weeks that saw The U’s beaten twice and lose ground on those above them, Cowley was delighted with the response.
“It was a brilliant win for us.”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of good groups in my managerial career and a lot of good wins, but I can’t remember a better win than that when you consider how much was going against us in the lead-up and how many boys actually who started were probably just 70 or 75 per cent fit.”
Roy Keane In Midfield
After a virus swept through the Colchester camp, Cowley had to ask his players to go above and beyond and that included the 35-year-old striker Lyle Taylor who was asked to drop deeper against County.
“We knew it was going to be tough and that we had a few who were playing who weren’t at full tilt, boys like Lyle Taylor.”
“Don’t tell me he’s 35! He played centre midfield like a 21-year-old Roy Keane!”
“He was everywhere and it typified the spirit of the group.”
Goal Brought Belief
Tyrese Simpson netted the vital goal just before half time and his boss was pleased with the goal and what it brought to his team.
“It was a brilliant ball by Arthur Read, first and foremost. He played a lovely ball in behind and Oscar (Thorn) made a ball that wasn’t his, his.”
“Like I tell him all the time, he’s six foot three and runs ten metres a second and there’s not many people who can do that!”
“He then had the presence of mind to take a deep breath and find the cross and find Ty, who I’m so pleased for.”
“It gave us belief in the game and it gave us the energy to keep fighting.”
“We had to be at our determined best today and I think we were.”
“…to a man today, the boys were exceptional.”
Writer’s View
After their playoff hopes looked to have gone, Cowley’s side are right back in the mix after this impressive victory.
It looks like a shootout between Colchester and Grimsby for the final playoff spot, with both facing three away matches in the five they have remaining and both facing fellow promotion hopefuls.
It is set to be a thrilling end to the League Two regular season.
