Manager Phil Parkinson has hit back at the bookmakers who are condemning Colchester United to relegation in the new season.
The U's are being quoted as favourites to go down along with Notts County, Wycombe, Chesterfield and newly-promoted Hartlepool in the annual pre-season odds.
It is the sixth time in succession the bookies have written-off the Layer Road boys before a ball has been kicked since their promotion to the Second Division in 1998.
But a defiant Parkinson responded by hitting back: "Actions speak louder then words.
"If we can inspire ourselves by using the fact that everybody's already writing us off then that's what we'll be aiming to do.
"Basically, I'm not bothered one bit what the bookies think, but their odds give us another opportunity to prove them all wrong."
Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton, both relegated from the First Division just three weeks ago, plus Queens Park Rangers - who only last Sunday lost to Cardiff City in the play-off final - are the bookies favourites for promotion.
The full list of odds is: Sheffield Wednesday (11-2), Brighton and QPR (7-1), Bristol City (8-1), Tranmere (9-1), Oldham (12-1), Luton (14-1), Grimsby (16-1), Rushden and Diamonds (16-1), Blackpool (20-1), Plymouth (20-1), Barnsley, Swindon and Wrexham (25-1), Bournemouth, Brentford, Peterborough and Stockport (33-1), U's, Hartlepool, Notts County, Wycombe Wanderers and Chesterfield (40-1).
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Published Friday, May 30, 2003
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