John McGreal happy to prove bookies wrong
Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA
Colchester boss John McGreal was happy to prove the bookies wrong by holding hotly-tipped promotion favourites Notts County to a coupon-busting goalless draw.
The U’s almost snatched a winner when Tom Eastman struck the upright with 15 minutes remaining as impressive goalkeeping from Colchester’s Dillon Barnes ensured County fired a blank.
And manager McGreal lauded the performance of his side to keep the Magpies, who were prolific last term, at bay in their opening encounter of the season.
He said: “I think before the game, we made it clear that Notts County have invested to put themselves where the bookies think they’re going to be and that’s in the top three.
“I said from day one that it was a fantastic challenge for us to come here and it proved it.
“I thought we were excellent, especially in the second half.
“We had the better chances – we hit the bar and Noubs (Frank Nouble) has had a header, Aaron Collins took a touch and then slipped.”
Opposing manager Kevin Nolan, who guided the Magpies to the play-offs last campaign in his first season in charge at Meadow Lane, was heavily complimentary of Colchester – already tipping the visitors for promotion contention.
Nolan said: “It was two teams who like to score goals and want to score goals, but they ended up shutting each other out because we know how important it is.
“Colchester are a good side and last year, we were quite lucky to get the win against them.
“Colchester caused us problems and I think they’re going to be up there this year.
“They’re sort of going under the radar because we’ve done a bit of business but they’ve also some done some great business and I expect them to be up there come the end of the season.”
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