Abbey Update - Cambridge United blog

There's Always Next Season, As Always

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:33:00 GMT

Cambridge United’s season has provided most of the events that synopsise the emotions that define being a football fan: anticipation, unexpected delight, raised hope, missed opportunity, ultimate disappointment.

With eight matches remaining the 2011/12 term has fizzled out. The initial hope of improving on last season’s suffering has long been achieved. The unexpected early season form saw The U’s rise to third by the start of November before the slump in results after the arrival of the new calendar year which heralded the drop towards the middle of the Conference table.

It is a disappointment that United might not finish in the top ten after suffering only three league defeats in the first five months of the campaign. That should not stop fans from being able to reflect on the mass of positives that can be taken: the initial run of form that lasted half a season, the unprecedented level of commitment that brought about memorable wins such as at Luton and Mansfield, the continued development of a number of young players.

It is the last point that should provide supporters with that everlasting emotion, hope. Next season, as United celebrates its centenary, the likes of Luke Berry, Jonathon Thorpe and Blaine Hudson et al will be better for the experiences gained this time around. With Harrison Dunk set to return, centre halves Coulson and Wylde both able to undertake a full pre-season after recent injuries and Andy Pugh better adjusted to this level of football after his step up from the league below, the personnel should be suited to improve on this season even if the squad doesn’t change much. It can be hoped that Jez George has identified new players that he believes will take the side on still further.

It may be a stretch too far to suggest that Cambridge United will challenge among the top five for all of next season but it is far from unrealistic to hope that they will improve on their showing this year. If they are able to do so to the tune of ten or so points then they will be right up there this time next year.

It is perhaps fitting to close by reproducing what was written in the first of these articles back in July, before the first pre-season match of the dawning 2011/12 campaign had even been played. Despite being written eight months ago it is pertinent in March 2012. It was relevant then, it remains so now; it explains the everlasting faith displayed by fans of Cambridge United Football Club.

“It is one of football’s most reassuring qualities that there’s always the hope that someday, somewhere, your team might achieve their dreams and give its fans something to cherish. If you lose in the FA Cup in January, there’s always the Qualifying Round in October. If you finish a disappointing mid-table in the league, there’s always August and the chance to go one better next year.

“There’s always next year.”

Matt Ramsay

U's Blues Will Toughen Resolve In Future Years

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:33:00 GMT

The performances produced by Cambridge United in the last four games explain why The U’s will end this season in mid table.

Home losses to Mansfield and Gateshead either side of wins at Stockport and against Barrow demonstrated a mixture of languidness and fight. Unfortunately as the season has gone on and injuries have kicked in the spirit in the camp hasn’t been enough to keep Jez George’s side in the upper reaches in the Conference.

Jack Eades has started each of the last five games. Before that he had only one first team start in his entire career. Right back Jonathon Thorpe has continued to appear on a regular basis, consistently pushed up to a winger role, including starting the last two matches. It is unfair to criticise them as they have shown promising signs of adapting to the level of football: certainly Eades impressed at Stockport and they both played an important role in the Barrow victory.

What is clear however is that neither of them are ready made to walk into the Cambridge United side and perform to a high level every match. For every Luke Berry, both in terms of ability and maturity, there will be ten youth products who should perhaps appear sporadically in the opening years of their career.

Even Rory McAuley and Josh Coulson, both now replete with experience after making over a century of appearances each, did not stay in the team beyond a couple of consecutive fixtures in the opening two years of their professional careers. This was largely through choice of the management of the time and wisely so from the perspective of the player’s development. Necessity has seen the current crop appear more in the amber and black more often.

The wins at Stockport and Barrow were not achieved through quality-laden displays but the fighting qualities under pressure that saw the club in the top five for a number of weeks. While that lofty position always appeared to be temporary, the commitment levels were lauded as something that could continue regardless of the available personnel.

While it might be ambitious to look forward to future seasons with ten games of this campaign still remaining, the disappointments experienced by those in the squad at present should act as a catalyst for improved robustness later on. It is important to remember that despite their experience the likes of Coulson and McAuley are only young. Club captain Michael Wylde and his deputy James Jennings are treated as veterans but are still to reach their peak.

Technically and mentally the entire squad of outfield players at Cambridge United should improve in years to come. As frustrating as the performances and results are at present, they teach an important lesson which will only make the players stronger in the long term.

Matt Ramsay

Chance To Shine For Replacements As Injury Crisis Hits U's

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:43:00 GMT

Cambridge United’s trip to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday is the first of a succession of fixtures that will test their much-stretched squad in the final third of the league season.

Last week’s pair of FA Trophy ties, culminating in a Quarter Final defeat to Wealdstone, resulted not only in the club’s exit from the competition but also provided a number of blows on the injury front. The starting eleven was barely touched in the opening months of the campaign but suddenly a large proportion of those key personnel are no longer available.

Both centre halves, both wingers and forward talisman Michael Gash were all in the side unfailingly from the season’s start back in August. When Saturday arrives and Jez George’s men head to Gloucestershire, none of them are likely to appear. Michael Wylde may return but it would be his first appearance since undergoing an operation before Christmas. On top of those five, Tom Shaw is not certain to feature after limping off against Wealdstone.

While the likes of Blaine Hudson and Rory McAuley have proved themselves to be fully capable and highly valuable first team players when called upon thus far, the deputies elsewhere on the pitch will be generally untried for The U’s.

Despite Ashley Carew’s frustrating inconsistency and Harrison Dunk’s failure to score since Bonfire Night, the sudden absence of both of them for the foreseeable future leaves Jez George short of options. Loanee Ryan Jackson has come in to the side and done well thus far but Jordan Patrick has barely featured all year: if he starts at The New Lawn it will be his first league appearance to not be from the bench. He is another player with potential but the fact he has not earned a Conference start by March speaks of his progress this term.

Gash’s injury is perhaps the biggest blow of all. Not only has he led the line splendidly in recent weeks but his replacement Liam Hughes is not ready made to stand in effectively at this stage of his career. While he too could turn out to be an important player for United in the future it is clear how much development is required for him to reach that point. Thursday’s loan swoop for Mustafa Tiryaki could fill the missing link in the period of Gash’s absence.

Saturday should be seen as an opportunity for the members of the squad who are being given a rare chance to impress. For those who have played a more regular part, the motivation to improve on the current form of six losses in eleven games might lead U’s fans to be hopeful of a better performance than those seen in recent weeks.

Matt Ramsay

Fans Should Allow Time For Development In Young U's Squad

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:26:00 GMT

Cambridge United sail into unchartered territory on Saturday after Tuesday’s 1-0 win against Guiseley sent them into the last eight of the FA Trophy for the first time ever.

This follows on from their narrow defeat at table topping Fleetwood by the same score last weekend. Despite the outcomes implying otherwise, there were more promising elements in the performance at Highbury on Saturday than there were from their first appearance at The Abbey in nearly four weeks.

The U’s were desperately unlucky to be beaten on the Lancashire coast, with a number of near misses as they sought an equaliser to Andy Mangan’s early opener. Tuesday’s victory was the opposite: skin of the teeth stuff with just enough to get through after Luke Berry’s expertly taken winner.

The loss of Michael Gash to a potentially serious injury could have further reaching consequences than either of the results, although his deputy deserves more support than he has received in recent weeks.

Liam Hughes has garnered criticisms from sections of fanbase, but this overlooks the fact that the forward has been thrust in to the first team picture despite his lack of experience at Conference level. He is still only nineteen. To compare him to the vastly more experienced Gash, with experience with three other clubs at this level and the consequent know-how of professional football, is greatly unfair.

It is worth considering that Gash turned out for The U’s earlier in his career and was far from a success. Even then he was older than Hughes is now. He failed to take to the level of football and returned to Cambridge City, from whom he had originally been signed. He found his goal scoring touch and within two years was sold by Ebbsfleet United to York City for in excess of £50,000.

Hughes has no such opportunity to hone his trade elsewhere. If Jez George had a budget three times its actual size and had twenty-five players to choose from, he would be able to go out on loan in a lower division, develop as a footballer and make his mistakes there. That isn’t possible. As soon as Gash is unavailable, he must be called in to the team. His mistakes will be made for the first team under the eyes of the club’s supporters. The criticism showered in his direction will not help him become better, unlike the time on the pitch itself.

The effect of the well publicised cuts to the playing budget is generally accepted among Cambridge United supporters. It will mean that the team will be largely made up of young, inexperienced but promising individuals for the foreseeable future. They should be treated as such.

Even if it was to end with a poor run of form, this season has produced more positives than most fans will realistically have expected. The run of one defeat in nineteen games. The unbeaten home run which lasted five months. The memorable victory at Luton. The negatives of some recent poor performances should not signal a flurry of abuse in the direction of the players.

This season is not finished yet of course. United make an immediate return to Trophy action on Saturday, hosting Wealdstone with a place in the last four at stake. With the final played at Wembley and the corresponding gate money significant, U’s fans might dream that the season will yet have a memorable ending.

Perhaps more significantly, the money raised and experience gained could act as a major catalyst towards the future development of Jez George’s young players. That sounds like a good reason to encourage them as they attempt to progress, not vilify them.

Matt Ramsay

Cold Snap Allows Attentions To Turn To United's Off-Field Progress

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:29:00 GMT

The onset of the current poor weather has left Cambridge United without a fixture in February thus far, and the big freeze expected at the forthcoming weekend raises the likelihood that The U’s will have to wait even longer before they can make a return to action.

While the players will doubtless be desperate to take to the field in an attempt to rectify the problems displayed in their last outing, the enforced break may serve as a benefit to the squad. Only once has there been a break of nine days between matches so far this season. The chance to work towards a refreshed mental and physical position raises the hope that they return to the fore in a condition that allows them to perform in the successful manner that they achieved so upliftingly in the early stages of the campaign.

The lack of on-field occurrences has allowed attentions to turn to the business matters of the football club, with annual AGM angst making way for the rare feeling of optimism (albeit cautious) over the way Cambridge United is moving forward. Positive relations with Cambridge Fans United and another new arrival in the boardroom can be added as further pluses to add to the previously unheard of financial prudence that is dictating the way in which budgets are being spent. The fact that the term break even has even be mentioned is a step forward from years gone by, even more so when it is seen as a realistic possibility in the not too distant future.

While first team results have dipped in recent times, culminating in consecutive home defeats in the league for the first time in over eleven months, this should not detract from the huge improvements the club has taken both on and off the pitch in recent times. The prospect of at least one giant of English football visiting The Abbey as part of the club’s centenary celebrations will provide an unbudgeted windfall to add to the coffers, while any potential progress in the FA Trophy once the cold snap dissipates could add further assistance. Even if league form continues to slump between now and the end of the season, fans can take comfort from the enormous progress being made in all aspects of Cambridge United.

Matt Ramsay

United Must Be Wary of Bucks Backlash

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:07:00 GMT

Cambridge United head to Telford on Saturday in the second instalment of an eight day double header, keen to learn the lessons they were taught in the same situation less than three weeks ago.

Following a comprehensive and highly professional 2-0 home win against Braintree on Boxing Day, The U’s collapsed to a miserable defeat against the same opponents just six days later. The 3-2 scoreline was flattering to Jez George’s losing side, whose goals came only in the dying embers of The Iron onslaught.

George will do everything he can to ensure that such a turnaround is not repeated this time around; the league fixture coming only seven days after United’s 4-1 FA Trophy victory at The Abbey.

One again, United travel to the home of a recently defeated opponent. Again, it comes after The U’s earned victory in the initial clash. Given the scoreline and the biting post-match comments from their manager, Telford can be expected to be motivated to exact revenge for last week’s result. The same happened on New Year’s Day: the performance levels at the weekend will reflect on the character of both sides.

United’s away form has stuttered of late, the Braintree game and the trip to financially stricken Darlington produced displays that will hopefully not be replicated any time soon, while Telford sit five points above the relegation zone in their first season at this level. This alone would have been enough to ensure that the match would be a difficult one, even without The Bucks’ added motivation of revenging last weekend.

Matt Ramsay

U's Can Look To Future With Confidence Despite Mariners Defeat

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:20:00 GMT

While Cambridge United lost at home for the first time in over four months on Tuesday night, it is worth being reminded how far the side has come under severe constraints since last summer.

Against an excellent Grimsby Town side who are now unbeaten since October and appear a strong contender to continue their form and challenge for a playoff spot, The U’s fell to a deserved defeat. However Jez George’s comments about the inexperience in the squad must be kept in mind by supporters, while there is also the consolation that these players are only going to improve as a result of such experiences.

The average age of the ten outfield players at the end of Tuesday’s game was under 21.5. Even in a squad without an outfield player over 25 years old there are still senior players: Michael Wylde and Michael Gash are two such players and both were unavailable for selection due to injury.

The Mariners’ more expensively assembled and more experienced squad were able to demonstrate such know-how as well as their undoubted quality, a big influence on United’s inability to force their way back into the match. While this may bring them success in the short term, the nature of their squad means it will have to be reassembled again in the not too distant future. The benefit of the current Cambridge United crop is that its players will develop without wholesale changes being needed.

Academy graduates such as Liam Hughes will attract some criticism for their levels of performance: this is not of benefit to such players and is not wholly reasonable. There are a number of young players who are only just making their way in the professional game, and as such they need time to get to grips with the demands of the Conference and improve their games.

Consider Tuesday’s squad. Blaine Hudson, Jack Eades and loan goalkeeper Sean Cuff have less than ten career appearances between them. Jonathon Thorpe only signed his first professional contract ten days before Christmas. Harrison Dunk had never played full time football before this season, while neither Liam Hughes or Adam Marriott have more than twenty league starts each to their name.

Luke Berry has more experience of playing first team football than five of his fifteen teammates in Tuesday’s squad. Twelve months ago he was yet to make his full debut as a professional.

Where this squad will be in two or three years of course remains to be seen, but fans can certainly look forward with positivity to seeing how far a number of their players progress in that time. Jez George doesn’t have to overhaul his squad on a yearly basis because the nucleus is already there. This should be a cause of excitement and pride.

The disappointment of a home defeat to the form side of the division should not be greeted with murmurs of discontent. The fact that the side has performed so well against the odds so far this season is a testament to the quality possessed now: learning lessons from a few defeats this year will go a long way to enhancing the quality that Cambridge United will hold in the future.

Matt Ramsay

Jekyll And Hyde United's Season Could Go Either Way

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:44:00 GMT

Cambridge United fans have seen the best and worst of their side over the past few weeks.

Thursday night’s home win against Southport produced the kind of performance that will raise confidence among the players and fanbase leading in to the final nineteen league matches of the season. If the attacking intent can be maintained in future weeks then the possibility remains that The U’s might be able to reclaim a top five position that they held earlier in the season.

The main criticism of the side before Christmas was the lack of a prolific goalscorer. Seven goals have been scored in the three matches since then, two of which have been from Michael Gash, who had netted only four times before the festive period. If he is able to push on and target fifteen goals for the season then it will remove some of the pressure on the rest of the side to chip in as well as they have done thus far.

Adam Marriott opened the scoring in the Southport victory with his first goal of the season. If he is provided the chance to play regularly then he is the sort of player fully capable of scoring frequently, and it can be hoped that the likes of Luke Berry and Harrison Dunk will be able to contribute and reach double figures themselves by the time April arrives. The rumoured arrival of forward Andy Pugh from Welling United will hopefully only help this cause, successful medical pending.

Players that have not helped the cause have found out a ruthless streak of Jez George in the past week. He was the man who signed Ryan Charles and Kieran Murtagh only six months ago: roll forward to January and he has been quick to dispose of those who are not seen to add worth to the squad.

While Thursday’s victory demonstrated the best the side can offer, United fans would be advised to remain grounded after witnessing miserable defeats at Darlington and Braintree in the last two fixtures away from The Abbey.

Jez George was quick to apologise for the performances, a rare but refreshing trait in a manager, though certainly not something you wish to hear very often. If the kind of performances seen at those two grounds is seen regularly elsewhere then United’s hopes of a top five spot will suddenly become a lot more distant.

The U’s have the benefit of only one away match in the remainder of January, with three league games and one Trophy fixture to come at home. By the time February comes round United could find themselves back in a strong position moving into the final months of the season.

Matt Ramsay

Half Term Report: United Endeavour Surpasses Expectations

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:49:00 GMT

Cambridge United’s weekend victory over Boreham Wood sees the side progress to the last 32 of the FA Trophy, while the current two week break between league fixtures ensures that The U’s sit fifth at the midway point of the 2011/12 season.

The fact that there has been some disgruntlement over the past few weeks concerning performances and results only goes to further demonstrate quite how outstanding the past four months have been for the club’s fans.

As pre-season began there were concerns about how Jez George would be able to construct a side that would be competitive on a budget far smaller than what has been in place in recent years. By competitive, fans hoped that there would be no repeat of the near catastrophe of last season. Never mind sitting in the playoffs at the mid-point of the campaign, a top half finish would have been deemed a great success.

Even if this campaign extinguishes itself rather than providing fireworks, comfort can be taken from the fact that United fans can attend games in the knowledge that their side will battle for everything even if the level of quality is not as great as it could be. This young squad, with not a single outfield player over the age of 25, will surely only improve the longer they play together. Next season they may be in a position to mount a genuine challenge. If the squad can be so competitive at this stage, there may be reason to be excited about future campaigns.

The squad has displayed strengths throughout. Three central defenders have all excelled themselves. The emergence of Rory McAuley as a top class centre half for this level is very much to his credit; the fact that he cannot currently force his way into the side ahead of Josh Coulson and Michael Wylde speaks volumes for their own performances. Beside them, James Jennings and Kevin Roberts have developed their own games hugely under Jez George. The previously questioned attitude of Jennings is now a distant criticism, while the stature of Roberts is a far cry from the liability he often looked last season. The right back is perhaps the most improved player of the season.

The midfield trio of Rossi Jarvis, Tom Shaw and Luke Berry best explains why George’s 4-5-1 system is so valuable, all providing a wealth of attributes to the body of the team. Jarvis is woefully under-praised for his unnoticed role in the “water-carrier” position, while Tom Shaw has fast become a fan’s favourite with his performances, leading the charge at the front and digging in to the battle at the other end.

If they are the team’s spine, Berry is the heartbeat. Within minutes of his return to the starting eleven at Ebbsfleet following injury, it was clear how badly he had been missed. Few who have seen him play believe he will continue to ply his trade at this level for long, fewer still can comprehend how he had accumulated only ten minutes of first team football in his career until just eleven months ago.

The main goal threat has been provided from either flank, Harrison Dunk and Ashley Carew both stepping up to full time football to co-lead the scoring charts with seven so far. While both can be frustrating they can only improve with more matches. Dunk is rightly tipped to join Berry at a higher echelon in years to come.

Michael Gash up front garners criticism for his lack of goals. This is perhaps fair: how much further up the league table would United be if they had a centre forward who had reached double figures at this point? However it would be harsh to condemn him too much. If it was not for his work rate, ploughing his often lonely trade with such endeavour, the scoring exploits of others would surely not have been achieved.

Cambridge United sitting in such a strong position at the halfway stage of the season is a source of great pleasure to the club’s fanbase. With the majority of the leading sides in the division yet to visit The Abbey it would not be a great surprise to see The U’s slip down away from the top end of the division by the time to season ends. For many this would come as a disappointment due to the strong showing thus far, but the manner in which the players have excelled themselves in the opening half of the campaign must be seen as surpassing the wildest of hopes as much as the most ambitious of expectations. One only has to think back to last season to see just how far Cambridge United have come.

Matt Ramsay

Kidderminster Result Leaves U's In Strong Midseason Position

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:42:00 GMT

Cambridge United’s point at Kidderminster at the weekend provides The U’s with a springboard for the coming games. While there was drama over the opposition goalkeeper escaping a red card for an early hand ball, and his subsequent save from Ashley Carew’s penalty, this was still a match from which United could have returned empty-handed.

While they perhaps should have won, it was certainly a match they could have lost. Despite opportunities falling for Josh Coulson and Jordan Patrick among others in addition to Carew’s spotkick, there have been only few signs of discouragement from the 298 fans who made the trip to Worcestershire.

The hosts hit post and bar and failed to hit to target twice in quick succession, hence Jez George’s correct assertion that both sides will reflect on the game as one which they could have won. Given the fact that the point came against one of the division’s stronger sides away from home and only a matter of days after the disappointment of the FA Cup exit at Wrexham, over the course of the season as a whole the result might be better seen as a point gained rather than two lost.

Taking out the three Cup fixtures which culminated in defeat in Wales, United are now undefeated in eight league outings since their loss at fellow surprise high-fliers Southport at the start of October. The next two matches are a break from the recent run of contests against sides challenging at the top. Having gained five points from the visit of Luton and trips to Mansfield and Kidderminster, matches against Bath and at Ebbsfleet will both be seen as winnable by the United hierarchy.

If maximum points are gained from those games then United will reach the halfway stage of the season with 44 points. If Jez George is to lead his side into the top five then this is a fantastic total to reach: if it was to be matched in the second period of the campaign then a playoff place would be assured. To reach their current fourth place berth The U’s have already sparred twice with Luton and Kidderminster as well as making appearances at Wrexham, York, Gateshead, Southport and Mansfield.

Of the other sides in the top nine in the table, Fleetwood are the only side yet to have hosted United. Of those seven away games played, only Southport have emerged victorious.

Jez George will insist that his side do not think as far ahead as the start of the season: Tuesday’s home fixture with Bath is the priority. Despite their position at the foot of the table with only one win all season, few will forget the epic contest between the sides earlier in the season when United were 4-3 winners. The U’s will again have to ensure they are on their game of they are to maintain the upward climb of their points total.

Matt Ramsay

Cup Exit Shows Level United Must Aim For

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:36:00 GMT

Cambridge United exited the FA Cup on Tuesday evening after their 2-1 defeat at Conference leaders Wrexham.

Hopes have been raised among the club’s support that this side may be capable of sustaining a genuine challenge this season, rightly encouraged by a run that saw just one defeat in eighteen fixtures prior to Tuesday night.

It would be churlish to claim that nobody will mind the club exiting the Cup at this stage: any non-league club and its fans hold perpetual dreams of a tie with a Premier League big gun if a few victories could be achieved. However there are lessons that can be learned from the loss which will hopefully be heeded for the remainder of the league campaign.

Wrexham’s opening goal came in a period in which The U’s were dominating. An impressive spell after half time raised hopes that United might progress until Mathias Pogba headed The Dragons in front. It came from a basic error, Harrison Dunk presenting the ball back to the opposition as he tried to clear from his own byline. It was the resulting cross that Pogba converted.

It is a lesson that could be said to come at a good time for United. Despite their excellent form over the course of the season so far, defeat at the table toppers proves that there is still work and improvement required if Jez George’s side are to be genuine challengers this season.

The best time to start proving if they are able to do so comes just a few days after that defeat: United travel to Kidderminster on Saturday. The Harriers are the only side to secure an away win at The Abbey this season.

Matt Ramsay

U's Shape Up For Wrexham Return

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:54:00 GMT

Cambridge United’s draw with Luton Town was rightly lauded for United's second half performance by manager Jez George and the bumper crowd that flocked the The Abbey.

One of the biggest criticisms aimed at the side during the nightmare season endured last year was the dip in tempo and fitness suffered as matches wore on. So, as has been the case numerous times throughout the season, it was a delight to witness The U’s end the match so strongly. Having been playing catch up for so long the side clawed their way back into contention, and by the time the final whistle blew it was the much fancied opposition who will have been happier to have held on.

Taking the budget differences into consideration, the way United performed will only add to the growing list of admirers the team is attracting. Despite the much publicised cut in the playing budget, the fans took an immediate love to this squad for the determination and spirit forever on display. Roll forward a few months and there has been added excellence to go with the fortitude. This is a side with just one defeat in eighteen matches.

The youth and lack of spending power in the side was demonstrated by the names on the bench. Consider where the subs learned their trade and consider their ages: Liam Hughes, Jordan Patrick, Jonathon Thorpe, Blaine Hudson and Adam Marriott. Patrick is the oldest of the five and he is only twenty. Every one of them came through the club's academy under Jez George.

Hughes’ impact upon coming on was to his own personal credit and also acts as a further reflection upon why the team maintains its momentum. His equaliser made him the thirteenth different goalscorer thus far this season after Josh Coulson became the twelfth in the previous outing. While Ashley Carew and Harrison Dunk both have seven it seems clear that there is no one prolific player who might challenge Danny Crow’s nineteen league goal haul of a few seasons ago. While last season there was a serious struggle for goals, this season the lack of a marksman has been countered by the ability for each player to step up and make their mark at different times.

Jez George spoke in the week about how his side have earned the right to take part in big games. After Saturday, there is no let up. United travel to Wrexham on Tuesday for an FA Cup Replay in yet another major test. The prize money and the prospect of a trip to Brentford will ensure the motivation is there for the players and the hardy band of supporters who will brave a midweek trip to Wales, but this is a match in which The U’s will be considerable underdogs.

If the result goes the way that most pundits might predict then United can turn their focus to the league for the remainder of the campaign. The FA Cup continues to inspire, despite what those in the upper reaches of the English game insist, so there will be no denying both sides’ desire to progress.

United’s eight game unbeaten run came to an end immediately after their memorable victory at Luton at the end of September. If then can maintain their current nine match streak after Saturday’s result against the same opposition then The U’s will be able to look forward to the challenge of Football League opposition in a couple of weeks time.

Matt Ramsay

Wrexham Set Standards For George To Aspire To

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:53:00 GMT

The post-match words of Jez George gave a clear indication of just how much Cambridge United have exceeded expectations so far this season.

The U’s had salvaged a draw with Wrexham in the FA Cup to ensure that the sides will replay in just over a week. The winners will head to Brentford, sitting in the top ten in League One. Much has been made of how United were not expected to mount any form of challenge for a top five spot but the manager himself has yet to be drawn into publicly revealing his own hopes for the club’s final position. It was telling that he announced that Wrexham’s performance at The Abbey was of a quality to which his players should aspire to.

It might have been expected that those comments might have been made about the Welsh side if they were a top eight team and The U’s were attaining the more widely anticipated mid-table position. As the Dragons are top of the division, George’s comments that the match was a reality check might be interpreted to mean that ambitions within the side itself had been raising in recent games.

The coming weeks provide not respite, with the Wrexham return sandwiched between Saturday’s visit of Luton and the following week’s trip to Kidderminster. Given the ambitions and capabilities of those sides it would be no surprise to outsiders if United’s outstanding form is brought to an end by three strong opponents.

United have upset the odds on a number of occasions this season with notable results coming away against leading sides. If they are in a similar league position by the time Christmas comes around then the heightened expectations among the fanbase might suddenly become more realistic. Perhaps the best reflection of the campaign is that those dreams have crossed the minds of the club’s followers in the first place.

Matt Ramsay

Focus Back On League After Hayes Hammering

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:14:00 GMT

Cambridge United were handed a tough tie when the draw was made on Sunday for the First Round of the FA Cup. The U’s host Wrexham, top of the Conference and with an exceptional record on their travels, with the winners becoming only one win away from a potential clash with one of the giants of the English game.

Jez George’s side reached the “proper” stages of the competition with a scoreline nobody will have expected. Their victory at Hayes & Yeading was their biggest away triumph in seventeen years: recovering from conceding the opening goal to win 6-2.

While there might be a concern over the fact that the side has now started conceding goals on a more regular basis, they have conceded twice or more in four of their last six matches, there will be delight at the manner in which they have countered this. In none of those games have they been beaten. While the early stages of the season were typified by a superb defensive record making up for an inability to find the net enough themselves, goals scored have suddenly become a more regular luxury.

The statistic about the club failing to score more than twice in a game for so long was one that dragged on for far longer than was welcome. Now that millstone has finally been dislodged there has been something of a frenzy in the goals for department. Including Saturday’s romp at Hayes The U’s have now scored seventeen times in five games. This after going thirty-five in a row without scoring more than twice in a game.

If the increased number of concessions can be brought down to a more satisfactory level and the current glut of scoring success can be maintained then the dream of this season being a successful one may suddenly become a far more realistic possibility.

The coming weeks will provide a genuine insight into whether this is really possible. In their final fixture before the Wrexham clash The U’s travel to Mansfield on Saturday for what will be yet another major challenge away from home. Their hosts were in midweek action, thumped 5-0 at Fleetwood in their FA Cup Replay with a number of first team regulars laid low with a virus.

If The Stags fail to fully recover then this will work in United’s favour, but if they are serious about maintaining their position in the top five then their opponent’s starting line-up should make little difference.

Matt Ramsay

U's Travel To York After Finding Scoring Touch

ramsaymatt@hotmail.com — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:53:00 GMT

The last time Cambridge United travelled to York they secured the point needed to ensure safety after a torrid 2010/11 season. The result also ended their host’s chances of reaching the playoffs.

Six months on and The Minstermen are once again on the promotion hunt but The U’s continue to defy expectations by rivalling them at the top end of the table. Saturday’s comprehensive victory against Alfreton lifted Jez George’s side to sixth, only one place below the dotted line of League Two candidacy and a mere two points away from the side sat second in the division.

The 3-0 win, coupled with the memorable triumph at Bath on Tuesday, was cathartic to U’s fans as the results secured an element of revenge on their two opponents after depressingly dismal defeats to them both last season. It also finally signalled an end to the goal scoring problems suffered since Jez George took over: after thirty-five consecutive matches in which United failed to score more than twice in a game, they netted seven in two outings.

York are sure to present a much sterner challenge than that posed by the clubs sitting in the bottom two positions in the division as the season passes the one-third stage. Their playoff hopes were only ended in the penultimate round of fixtures last season and they reached the Wembley Promotion Final the year before.

It will come as no great surprise to anyone if United return south having received their fourth defeat of 2011/12 but the fact that fans can travel there knowing that a win would take them above their opponents and into the playoffs is a sign of just how much things have changed since they last met in April.

Matt Ramsay