As the January Transfer Window deadline rolls into view, clubs up and down the country are looking to make their final bits of business before the window slams shut on Monday the 3rd of January. For Colchester, a fairly successful window, for incomings, will want to be improved further, with the additions of one or two more.
So far in January, The U’s have added; centre forward, Tyreece Simpson, on loan from Stevenage, defender Jack Turner, on loan from MK Dons and finally, Michael Forbes, a central defender, on loan from West Ham United.
After speaking to a Colchester fan, it was made fairly clear to me that the Cowley’s are likely to be after a central midfielder, who can play as a Number Eight, in the closing days of the Transfer Window. With murmurs that 25 year-old squad player, Arthur Read, could be off, in search for more game-time, another body in there could really help United.
The Cowley’s usually set Colchester up into a 4-2-3-1 formation, utilising a double pivot of Jamie McDonnell and Teddy Bishop, with attacking midfielder, Jack Payne, being used as the creative spark for Colchester. A squad player to play any of these three positions would be vital for United, to give them the quality and depth for the latter stages of this League Two campaign.
I hope you all enjoy the read and I would love to hear the thoughts of Colchester fans. Do you agree with my 3 midfield suggestions. Please share the blog around and give any feedback on the piece. Enjoy!
Toby Edser
I think it’s likely that Colchester will look to recruit a player who will be a useful squad player across all three midfield roles in Cowley’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Toby Edser is a rare star in an extremely poor Ebbsfleet United side, who sit bottom of The National League.
The 25 year-old would be a brilliant utility player for the Cowley’s because of his ability to play a number of roles across the midfield, displaying his versatility and well-rounded attributes technically, physically and tactical understanding.
Colchester have shown a desire to recruit in an area which is fairly local to, or within Essex in recent seasons. The distance between Ebbsfleet and Colchester is just over fifty miles, meaning he is probably a player The U’s have looked at in the past. I feel that Colchester should be looking to recruit from non-league, as they rarely do this.
As shown below, The Fleet’s captain covers plenty of ground throughout a game, whether that be playing as a Six, Eight, Ten or even as a wide midfielder, where he has played at times this season. This is the sort of physical endurance which is much appreciated but the Cowley’s who like to build a squad of players who work extremely hard and leave everything out on the pitch.
Toby Edser is a player of superb technical qualities, probably deserving a move away from a very disappointing Ebbsfleet United side, who are due to play in The National League South again next season, a level that Edser has proven too good for already. An ability to dictate a game, despite his side having very little of the ball. A player who can pass the ball extremely well, so far having a success rate of 83% in The National League, this season.
Despite this, Edser has developed his game a lot in the past two seasons, becoming more of a leader within the Ebbsfleet squad. He has all of the attributes to fit into the Colchester squad perfectly, especially under the Cowley’s. A brilliant, technical player who works extremely hard for his team.
Anthony Papadopoulos
My second suggestion of the blog comes from another player who has thrived in The National League South over the past three seasons, at both Welling United and Maidstone, for the first half of this season. The 22 year-old midfielder signed for Crawley Town, of League One, in the Summer of 2024, after a fantastic two seasons at Welling.
The former Leyton Orient academy graduate is best as a creative Number Eight, where he can get on the ball in deep areas and carry or pass progressively forward. A player who would suit the style under the Cowley’s perfectly because of his composure and quality in the midfield.
Similarly to my Toby Edser suggestion, I have again gone with a player *fairly* local to Colchester. With Crawley being 80 miles from the North Essex-based side, I’d call that local. It helps a player settle in much smoother and keeps them aware of their surrounding areas.
It’s fairly clear that Papadopoulos isn’t quite League One quality yet, hence why he spent a few months on loan in The National League South with highflying Maidstone United. The loan went extremely well for all parties, Anthony Papadopoulos scored six times in eighteen appearances for The Stones, helping the side on an impressive unbeaten run. His superb creativity and technical ability was on full display on a consistent basis.
I’d like to see Anthony Papadopoulos given another loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, either in League Two or The National League. If he stays at Crawley his development would be hindered massively, game-time is a must for the 22 year-old. I can’t think of many places better for him to go. Being coached by Danny and Nicky Cowley will do his development the world of good, even if he isn’t playing every week. He will have to fight for his place in the side.
His hard-working mentality mixed with sublime technical attributes would bring real strength in depth to the U’s midfield, for the reminder of the 2024/25 season. When called upon, he is able to pick out a pass of any range, carry the ball forward and cover every blade of grass. He also carries a goal threat, shown from his short spell at Maidstone.
Cameron Bragg
In recent seasons, Colchester have looked to use the youth market to improve their squad, signing players from Premier League Two. That’s the same route as I’ve gone down for my third and final suggestion, another player who has spent time at Crawley, Southampton youth player, Cameron Bragg.
The 19 year-old midfielder played six times for League One strugglers, Crawley Town, throughout the month of September, before finding it difficult to get into the team. I’d like to see the Southampton youth academy graduate sent back out on loan, in League Two, where he can find more consistent senior minutes.
In terms of style, Cameron Bragg, similarly to both Toby Edser and Antony Papadopoulos, loves to be on the ball, keeping play ticking over with his fantastic ability to pass the ball, as shown by his short spell at Crawley, where he had a passing success rate of 91%. His ability to play progressive passes through the lines, mainly in the Southampton youth sides, is something I’d love to see on a more consistent basis from Bragg.
Similarly to Papadopoulos, Cameron Bragg probably isn’t at the level of League One football, week-in-week-out yet but the best way for him to develop and learn the game is to be playing consistent football. I think Bragg would be a superb addition to the Cowley’s midfield, allowing Bragg to fight for his place in a midfield of real quality throughout.
The way Bragg would fit into Colchester’s 4-2-3-1 formation is as the Number Eight, alongside Jamie Donley, in the double pivot. The 19 year-old has a tough task of moving Teddy Bishop but if legs get tired he’d be a superb option to come on. He’d match the energy and hunger of Jamie Donley perfectly.
I think this signing would benefit all parties because not only is Cameron Bragg developing himself in a competitive environment, Colchester are adding some real quality in depth to their midfield, whilst, from The Saints point of view, Bragg is with two fantastic coaches, getting minutes in a competitive league.
Thankyou!
Thankyou for reading! I would appreciate any feedback or support on the blog, either commenting on this piece or through social media. I hope you enjoyed the read.
Who would you sign if you were Colchester? What do you think of my three suggestions?
If you have requests for pieces you’d like to see me do, drop them in the comments.
Callum Hallett 
Leave a comment