McGreal praises Colchester players after draw with promotion rivals

Posted Wednesday, January 22, 2020 by PA

Colchester boss John McGreal praised his side’s excellent performance after they moved back into Sky Bet League Two’s play-off positions following an entertaining 0-0 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Bradford.

The U’s, who are now 14 league games unbeaten, had the better chances, with Frank Nouble side-footing an effort wide just before half-time and Tom Eastman and Luke Prosser both missing good chances in the second half, while Bantams keeper Luke McGee denied Harry Pell.

But Bradford also played their part in an entertaining contest and Chris Taylor almost won it for the visitors with a long-range effort that rattled the bar in the closing stages of the match.

McGreal said: “I thought it was an excellent performance and a great game, to be honest. There were two teams vying to stay in and around the play-offs.

“It was a great game and I thought we took the game to them from minute one. I’ve got no complaints about the effort and application from the boys.

“We were knocking on the door and it was about us going cold and dropping a heartbeat in and around the 18-yard box to test the keeper; that would be the only picky thing.

“I thought the performance was very good against a really good, solid Bradford City team. The end product was the only thing that let us down.

“The energy levels were excellent and we backed it up from Saturday (against Macclesfield).

“We have to recover as we have another tough game on Saturday (against Exeter) but I’m really pleased with that performance.”

Bradford lie fifth following the draw and their manager Gary Bowyer said it was vital that they took something from the game, against one of their fellow promotion contenders.

Bowyer said: “It was a hard-fought, competitive game between two very good teams that wanted to play football. We looked solid, well organised and defended the long balls. We came here and had a real go.

“It was a tough, tactical battle and one of those matches where it needed a little bit of magic, luck or a refereeing decision to open the scoring.

“We were unlucky to hit the bar with a wonderful effort but I was delighted to keep a clean sheet. I think it was our 11th of the season.

“The boys were organised and showed great desire and honesty. We stuck in there and every point is decent because it’s another one on the board.

“It was massively important to take something from the game. We grew in belief as the match went on and were so keen to make something happen.

“I can feel it coming, though, in terms of getting back to winning ways.”