Cambridge United: Sept — Oct 2015

Hello friends and welcome back to yet another update that I have prepared for you which will hopefully see «The U’s» make some improvements on the start of the season.

September

The month started off with an East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Carrow Road. Jacob Plambech put us ahead after 15 minutes sliding the ball into the net from a low driven cross by Jeff Webster who had made a thrilling run down the left flank. Jacob Walcott who returned to the first team provided a floating corner kick for Bandiera to make head in the second goal some 20 minutes later. The second half saw Norwich pull one back within 30 seconds of the restart but rugged determination by Plambech forced an own goal to make it 3-1 securing a much needed win.

Following this victory was the international break so it was a good opportunity to build up the fitness of some of the fringe players who duly delivered with a “workmanlike” 4-0 thumping of Lowestoft. We than began a three game home series in the league which provided perhaps a good opportunity to pick up some additional points. We were just clueless against Leeds and Burnley losing 1-0 and 2-0 respectively but then got off to a great start with the visit of QPR. Jeff Webster scored a magnificent goal from a superb individual run into the box which ended with some fancy footwork to beat the keeper. Webster then provided the cross for Bandiera to score with a diving header to make it 2-0 before QPR staged a comeback that culminated in a 35 yard power driver to win the game 6 minutes from time. We left the field with the taunts from the away fans of “going down” “going down”.

After the QPR defeat we travelled to Leicester who were in the middle of takeover talks and things on the field started badly for them as they were reduced to 10 men following a vicious tackle on Jacob Pamblech. A similar tackle on Gorman should have reduced them to nine though we did get a penalty that was converted by Mariano Blanco – his first goal for the club. Leicester headed in the equalizer close to half time but before the break Plambech restored our lead with a cheeky little lob over the Leicester keeper. DC Antonio Bandiera headed in a third shortly after the break before picking up an injury with Leicester getting a consolation goal seven minutes from time. Three points – yeah!!

We bookended the month with another derby game this time away to Peterborough who had humiliated us 5-0 in pre-season. No such luck for them this time and in a hard fought encounter the only goal of the game came in the 83rd minute from deep lying forward Louis Moult who finally ended an horrendous goal drought.

MC Mariano Blanco picked up the September young player of the month award following the game which will hopefully boost his morale and his teammates as well.

October

We began The Fall months looking to make it three wins in a row with the visit of West Brom to The Abbey Stadium. However we hadn’t counted on Liverpool loanee Philippe Bidegain putting in a sensational performance scoring all four of the visitors’ goals. I was left asking the question how come Liverpool didn’t send him to us?

The international break followed this defeat but before our next game away to league leaders Sheffield United came a flurry of conversations with players questioning my management style. All unhappy about the way things were going. The entire defensive line was particularly vocal. The dissent started to spread through to the front line and then came the first transfer request.

With problems in the dressing room we trudged off to Brammell Lane to meet league leaders Sheffield United. Suffice to say we did not do well in this outing with young striker Glen Richardson getting a consolation goal for us in the 83rd minute.

A fine counter attacking display saw Bradley Ralani net himself a brace in the space of twenty four minutes; his speed being just too much for the Reading defence to cope with. It was a pleasing and somewhat unexpected result given the team’s current attitude.

We followed this win with a hard fought battle at Vicarage Road where neither side could get past some superb goalkeeping by both teams

The final game of the month saw the visit of Blackpool to the Abbey Stadium for this Halloween afternoon league encounter. Morale had suddenly picked up again and it was Blackpool’s afternoon that was about to turn into a nightmare.

Jabob Plambech who had not even made the line-up for the last two games demonstrated his fight for a place with a goal inside two minutes from a through ball by Mariano Blanco. The young Spanish midfielder provided a visionary ball 3 minutes later that Glen Richardson neatly tucked under the visiting keeper and it was 2-0. He completed his hat-trick of assists with a delicate chip over the defence that was met by DC Luna charging into the box and striking the ball into the roof of the net. Three up by the half the fourth came in quick fashion as Sunny hit a searching ball on the counter that was struck with venom by Walcott to grab his first goal of the season. England Under 20 international Jeff Webster couldn’t be left of the score-sheet and added a fifth in the 68th minute from yet another stunning through ball by Blanco. Blackpool eventually got a consolation goal late in the game but the result was never in any doubt. Hopefully this is a turning point in our season?

Standings

Now we are heading in the right direction!! Seven points off the play-offs is a manageble gap to bridge if we can turn in performances like we did against Blackpool

 Fixtures:

We begin next month with games against teams in the top four and if we can just get maximum points in those two games we could start to mount a challenge for promotion.

Finally then the clubs finances which show a very healthy £19 million balance. Wow!

That’s all I have for your this time and in case you are wondering about so many posts by me I’m on vacation this week with pretty much all my holiday plans on hold so all one can do is load up Football Manager!