Cambridge United: Oct — Nov 2011

Hello friends and welcome back to to my Football Manager Story featuring Cambridge United. before I continue, many thanks for all the comments of support in my last post concerning my family back in UK who have critical illnesses. So, on to the reason why I’m here which is to bring you my next update.

On the heels of a massive home defeat to Morecambe came a top of the table clash with Colchester United who dominated the first 30 minutes and were rewarded with a goal for their efforts. We fought back with an equalizer by Will Keane before half time then two goals in the last 15 minutes by Fofana and CB Shimmin put us back to winning ways.

After a bye in the first round we were drawn at home to Plymouth in the JPT second round which produced an exciting opening 30 minutes that saw 4 goals but it was Plymouth who took the lead early in the second half and held onto it and so we were eliminated from the competition.

A trip to Hereford was up next and two early goals by Conor Newton and a first for Joan Angel Roman saw us take a 2-0 lead into the interval. We conceded yet another goal from a set piece which is something we have to work on, but the pace of N’Goma coming on as a sub was enough to rip apart the Hereford defence and supply Ciftci with an easy chance to make it 3-1 and finish off the game.

Back home at The Abbey Stadium we took on Stockport County in our next game which saw a sensational second half hat-trick by 19 year old Nadir Ciftci who has certainly now establishing himself as the first name on the team sheet. We stayed at home for the visit of Northampton who soon fell behind after Scott Wootten headed in a corner after 4 minutes. It wasn’t until the second half when we doubled our lead following a vicious shot by Fofana that bounced off the bar and was headed in by Ciftci. The visitors did pull one back before Shane Williams hit his first goal of the season to make it 3-1 and take all the points.

It was very much a lack lustre performance away to Crewe in the following game with substitute striker Will Keane forcing the ball over the line from a corner with minutes remaining on the clock to rescue a point for us.

October Results

November started with the visit of Bradford City to the Abbey Stadium and it was left midfielder Karl Moore who secured all three points for us with a beautifully struck goal off a precision pass from Shane Williams after 30 minutes. Moore then headed in his second of the game after the restart which was enough to deflate the visiting team and their supporters.

Having been already eliminated from two cup competitions we felt that we had a good chance of progressing in the FA Cup with the visit of BSP side Rushden in this first round tie. In the face of forty five minutes of pressure Rushden held firm and we were unable to break the deadlock going into the interval but soon afterwards Scott Wootten headed us in front from a corner. Nadir Ciftci got on the score sheet again some twenty minutes later that ensured we made it through to the second round. The victory came at a price with our American MC Will Packwood picking up a long term injury joining other MC Luke Berry in the treatment room.

So here’s how our injuries look and along with poor form of some of the other midfielders I’m left with little choice but to look for a short term loan player.

As with the Rushden game we dominated the opening 45 minutes away to Cheltenham in league action but failed to score which had a severe effect on morale in the second half with the home side taking advantage of their chances and dealing us a crushing 2-0 defeat. We struggled once more up front in the following game at home to 18^th place Bury and could only muster a draw with MR Conor Newton grabbing the only goal for us in a frustrating afternoon at The Abbey Stadium.

In the final game of the month we travelled to Northampton next for our second round FA Cup tie and once more we had to rely on our right winger to grab a goal for us as Conor Newton was first to react to a thunderous shot by Fofana that hit the post to give us the lead just before half time. Northampton though came up with an equalizer just about on the hour and that was it for the rest of the game, so it’s a replay at The Abbey Stadium.

November Results

League Table

We have somehow remained top of the table even though my strikers have only produced one goal between them in our last six games. This is very worrying and is hopefully just a glitch as we have lots of games coming up over the next two months.

Fixtures

As mentioned earlier I went looking for a short term loan player to help bolster the midfield. It turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined and finally settled for this 17 year old from Chelsea.

To finish this update here’s  look at our finances that continue to be quite strong.

Many thanks for reading and have a great Wednesday. I won’t be at a computer much today so may not read/respond to your comments until tomorrow.