Ray Crawford: The U’s will fancy it and I’m going to back them to do it again

Colchester United v Coventry City – JobServe Community Stadium – Emirates FA Cup first round – Saturday 3pm

Colchester United v Coventry City – Preview:

Ray Crawford is backing Colchester United to continue their recent cup exploits when League One Coventry City are the visitors to the JobServe Community Stadium for an Emirates FA Cup first-round tie.

The U’s have already produced some scintillating form in the Carabao Cup, booking a dream quarter-final date with Manchester United at Old Trafford following a run which has notably seen the north Essex side dispatch Premier League outfits, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. 

And with their own league form in a decent place, Crawford though his former club would relish another crack at another side from a higher division.

“Colchester United is a good place to be at just now,” Crawford told Yellow Sport.

“The boys seem to love the challenge of playing teams above them. I think this weekend will be much the same. Coventry is in the League One play-off places, but they’ve only won once in seven games. The U’s will fancy it and I’m going to back them to do it again.

“The football we are playing is really good. It’s exciting, but the boys are capable of digging out a result when they need to. Of course, the players are all under pressure to perform, but we are the underdogs again. That will suit us.”

Crawford continued: “Coventry will provide a tough test. They will fancy it as well. But home advantage, the Colchester cup crowd and the recent improvement will provide us with the tools we need to get the job done.

“We will always be remembered for beating Leeds United, Don Revie and all on our way to the sixth round of the cup. The Colchester team of the late 1940’s also had a great cup run. But these boys can make their own history. I hope they can get out there and make some memories.”

Colchester United v Coventry City – Head to head:

Colchester United won: 10

Drawn: 9

Coventry City won: 18

Colchester United v Coventry City – Last five meetings (all competitions):

April 11, 2015 – League One

Coventry City 1-0 Colchester United

November 14, 2015 – League One

Colchester United 1-3 Coventry City

March 29, 2016 – League One

Coventry City 0-1 Colchester United

October 21, 2017 – League Two

Coventry City 0-0 Colchester United

February 13, 2018 – League Two

Colchester United 2-1 Coventry City

Ray Crawford’s prediction: Colchester United 1-0 Coventry City

Jeevesie’s prediction: Colchester United 2-1 Coventry City