Penney plots for test of strength

DANNY WHITAKER: Set to start in midfield.

DAVE PENNEY expects a clash of styles when Colchester visit Boundary Park tomorrow.

The Athletic boss, a good friend of opposite number Aidy Boothroyd from their days studying towards the UEFA Pro Licence, is reckoning on his side being given a tough physical examination by a team currently third in Coca-Cola Football League One.

“I know Aidy well after doing my coaching badges and the UEFA Pro Licence with him and he is a good friend,” said Penney, who has promised a more attacking approach as he bids for a third home league win of the season.

“ They work the percentages. They get the ball into the box as much as they can — whether it be from long throws, corners, or free-kicks — and they are a big side with two big centre-forwards in Clive Platt and Kayode Odejayi. It is up to us that when we do get the ball, we get it down and try to pass it.”

Penney is forced to shuffle his midfield for the clash with the Essex side, with Dean Furman serving a one-match ban after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Gillingham last week.

Danny Whitaker is likely to partner Alex Marrow in the middle of the field and Nick Blackman could be accompanied up front in a 4-4-2 formation as Athletic search for the goals that have eluded them in recent matches.

“The last time we scored was at Brighton where we won 2-0 and Pawel Abbott got one of those,” Penney added. “He hasn’t played since we last scored and is our main goal threat. It is up to other people to step forward, whether we get them from set pieces or open play.

“We knew this would be a tough six to eight weeks and it is a matter of how we come out of those games.”

Athletic (probable): Flahavan; Holdsworth, Hazell, Gregan, Hills; Smalley, Marrow, Whitaker, Taylor; Blackman, Parker. Subs (from): Brill, Jacobson, Lee, Black, Brooke, Colbeck, Stephens.

For Colchester, on-loan Watford midfielder John-Joe O’Toole is back in contention after missing one match through suspension, while Kevin Lisbie is likely to come back into the side on the right of midfield after recovering from a virus.

The U’s manager is expecting Penney to provide a tough test for his promotion-chasing outfit.

“He’s one of these English managers who I think has been a little bit overlooked when the bigger jobs have come up,” said Boothroyd, who is without former Latics man Scott Vernon through injury.

“I know him very well — he’s a very astute and bright guy.

“The budget isn’t very high at Oldham but he’s managed to mix and match and they will be very tough opposition for us, particularly on that big o.”

Colchester (from): Williams, White, Tierney, Maybury, Heath, Okuonghae, Batth, Baldwin, Reid, O’Toole, Ifil, Wordsworth, Payne, Izzet, Hackney, Fox, Lisbie, Gillespie, Odejayi, Platt.