Excitement and fear for Johnson on opening day

Lee Johnson

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson admits that he is experiencing mixed emotions as he bids to get off to a winning start at Colchester tomorrow.

The Essex outfit have won three of their last five opening-day matches. And any thoughts that they will be easy pushovers — perhaps inspired by Athletic taking a pair of victories from the last two visits to the Weston Homes Community Stadium — should be tempered by the fact that while leaky at the back, the U’s have netted 30 goals in a madcap pre-season.

Johnson believes he is prepared for the challenge presented by Joe Dunne’s side, who finished a place below Athletic in 16th in Sky Bet League One last season.

And he can’t wait to pick up a first three points of the season, as he attempts to get off to the sort of positive start that gave Leyton Orient such momentum on their run to the play-off final last term.

“You are excited, but there is that fear that you have to get your first win in the league,” he said.

“The earlier you can get that monkey off your back, the better.

“I expect them to be a good side.

“They traditionally start the season well. We have seen them and know of their strengths and their weaknesses.

“We had a tough game against them last season and they are a similar stature of club in terms of resources.

“They have a good, young manager, play in the right way and it will be a tough game.

“I always see the first game of the season as having a cup final mentality, really.

“There is a big build-up to it and everyone is excited.

“We have to make sure we don’t go there and disappoint.”

Doubtful for Colchester, who lost 3-0 at Ipswich in a warm-up game after drawing 2-2 with Luton and defeating Dagenham 4-3, are midfielder Marcus Bean (knee) and Dan Holman (ankle), a striker arrival from Braintree.

Ex- Kilmarnock man Sean Clohessy and former Ross County and Chelsea defender Ben Gordon are set for U’s debuts at right-back and left-back respectively, with Freddie Sears providing a supporting role to main striker Jabo Ibehre.

Colchester (probable, 4-2-3-1): Walker; Clohessy, Okuonghae, Eastman, Gordon; Gilbey, Eastmond; Vose, Sears, Massey; Ibehre.

COLCHESTER have been priced as marginal favourites for tomorrow’s clash.

The U’s are best-priced 17-10 (BetVictor) to win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium while Sky Bet go 6-4. Athletic are available at 9-5 with Coral and 17-10 Sky Bet. The draw can be had at 12-5 (Betfred) and 21-10 (Sky Bet).

Jonson Clarke-Harris is 6-1 (Sky Bet) to open the scoring for the visitors.