Campbell begins new post with Silkmen at The Jobserve!

Saturday: Colchester United vs Macclesfield Town

The footballing gods have a sense of humour!

High-flying Colchester United welcome basement side Macclesfield Town to the Jobserve Community Stadium in Sol Campbell’s first league game as manager for the visitors. The U’s have six of their last 10 league games whilst the the visitors have won their last two games on the trot.

With two trips ahead for the U’s coming up before Xmas against Carlisle and MK Dons, this is a chance to show the fans that promotion could happen this season as they go into a busy period of three games in one week after Xmas Day whilst reaching the halfway point of their season. They are also yet to experience back-to-back defeats this season which shows the defeats from previous games are being sorted before any other problems arise.

Sol Campbell will be wanting to get his first win under wraps as Macclesfield manager after losing 5-3 on penalties to Newcastle United Under 21’s in midweek which forced them out of the EFL Trophy despite having much of the chances in the game.

Saturday: Bury vs Exeter City

The Urchins make the long journey to the north west having not won in the league since October 13th in a must win game which could consolidate their place in the League 2 Play-Off Places against Bury who exited the FA Cup at the weekend to Luton Town.

Hosts Bury have been unbeaten their last four with three wins happening in those so they’ll wanting to push themselves with another victory again here.

Saturday: Mansfield Town vs Notts County

This is game that could prove all the spoilers here. Mansfield are unbeaten in their last 12 league games which is phenomenal stuff in League 2 and they take on a Notts County side who are winless in their last 8 whilst sitting in 6th place. Both Mansfield and Notts both suffered defeats in midweek to Bury and Sunderland in the EFL Trophy so this is a game they’ll wanting to get three points from.

County haven’t had the finest of seasons so far and if anything, this relegation battle could be about to heat up if Macclesfield get three points at Colchester on Saturday which could ultimately place them in 23rd place.

The visitors could be bottom of the league by 5pm on Saturday evening as a result of this. It doesn’t help that County have the worst defensive record in the league with 41 goals conceded so far from 20 games whilst their hosts have only let in 14.

This game could be class if the underdogs grab a shock win but it’s more likely that the record of 12 games unbeaten could go into 13 for Mansfield this weekend.