By Ollie Slack - writer for YABA
In this article I analyse the start Cambridge United have made to the season and look at where they need to improve if they want to kick on in the league.
If you asked a Cambridge United fan to describe Shaun Derry’s tenure at the Abbey Stadium in one word, the most popular without a doubt would be… INCONSISTENT. And the start to the 2017/18 has been no different. A quarter of a way through the current campaign and the U’s had won 5, drawn 1, lost 5 and holding promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers to a goalless draw at halftime. After Derry resolidified his United side during the transfer window, recruiting seasoned veterans such as David Forde, Gary Deegan and talisman Jabo Ibehre, it looked as though his spine had some much-needed football league experience. And just as the season got underway, it was disrupted, 2016/17 ‘Player Of The Year’ and 22 goal machine in Luke Berry handed in a transfer request, packing his bags for rivals Luton Town. His goals would be difficult to replace and they were, with Jabo Ibehre and Uche Ikpeazu netting 10 between them so far, the next best is attacking midfielder Medy Elito, whose 2 goals have come from the penalty spot. The Luke Berry transfer saga hasn’t been the only disruption the club has had to deal with, Hearts, Chesterfield and then Gillingham have been sniffing around Newmarket Road, not for a player but a manager. However each time luckily for Cambridge, some would say unfortunately, Derry has professionally palmed away any interest and restated that his interest is solely on the following Saturday. U’s fans would have been singing wake me up when September ends, after only 1 win in 6 in August, but the players were definitely wide awake when the calendars flipped. Derry had settled on the 41212 diamond formation, a system which saw the team go on a run of 4 wins out of 6. But that word inconsistent would be Derry’s downfall once again, as that system which brought him those well-earned victories started to be the reason behind another slump in form. A number of reasons including, the formation exposing Gary Deegan on his own in the middle of the midfield and the prolonged “rest” given to new non-league signing Jevani Brown, meant Cambridge were all of a sudden leaking and not scoring goals. But here we are once again as an away trip to Lincoln saw a change in system and hopefully, a change going into the future. Derry came away from his favoured diamond which lasted 11 successive games, sat 2 holding midfielders in front of the back 4 and collected a well-fought point at Sincil Bank. The visit of Yeovil Town the following Tuesday allowed a return of the diamond formation, one that wasn't strained at all by a Yeovil side who were completely controlled. Cambridge showed their versatility over the past 2 games and this demonstrates what this squad can achieve IF, it fulfils its potential. This has to continue if they are to accomplish anything this season. The ‘Yellow And Black Army’ will be delighted to see the U’s play some expansive attacking football at times this season, but a sudden lackluster performance is never too far around the corner to dampen their spirits. That is one of the reasons there are still a few grumbles echoing around the shack-like stands at the Abbey, but Derry can quite easily point to his first two seasons at this football club, both bordering on the playoffs and smugly note the list of clubs who have enquired for his services, to prove he should be given more time to lead Cambridge United up and out of League 2.Photos provided and taken by Simon Lankester
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