HOW UNITED SHOULD LOOK TO IMPROVE WHEN DEFENDING FROM THE FRONT

By Matt Jolley - writer for YABA

Cambridge United and Shaun Derry need to adapt their attack in order to relieve the pressure from their defence, especially when the likes of Uche Ikpeazu and Jabo Ibehre are absent.

Until Saturday, United had achieved 8 clean sheets in the league and were steadily gaining a reputation as having one of the most miserly defences. 

Regardless of your personal philosophies on how the game should be played, having a tight defence is to be applauded. The difference between how this is achieved by teams is in the detail.

United have strong individual defenders capable of playing at a higher level but the style of play the team adopts also provides a compelling argument as to how they defend. 

At Cambridge, the game is often held up by the front men, Ibehre and Ikpeazu. Masters in their trade, they allow time for midfield runners to join them. They are always an ‘out-ball’ and ready to receive, often against a weaker opposition full back.

Witness Jabo Ibehre relentlessly remonstrating with his defenders if it does not come up to him quick enough. With this approach, the ball spends less time with the opposition and away from the Cambridge goal, often in the air or in duels further up the pitch. Allowing Cambridge to retain possession. It’s not always pretty but having the ball up front does prevent the opposition using it in the Cambridge half.

Cambridge arrived at Luton on Saturday with neither Ikpeazu or Ibehre to fulfil this role. There was a sense among many at Luton on Saturday, that as soon as the first goal went in, heads went down. With no recognised centre-forward available the prospect of getting back into the game appeared bleak. Watching the variety of goals conceded against Luton a number have roots in this loss of this game plan. 

Without a striker to hit, possession was given away in more dangerous areas of the pitch allowing Luton to counter. Goal Number 4 with Piero Mingoia being robbed by Luke Berry after holding on to the ball too long is particularly indicative.

Where Cambridge have appeared vulnerable this season is when the opposition have been able to stem the flow to the strikers. Sometimes environmental conditions have dictated this. Against Chesterfield last month the wind hindered the ball getting forward. When Chesterfield were able to regain possession, it was difficult to wrestle control back. United were played off the pitch. Once the roles were reversed however and Cambridge could hold the ball up, the momentum swung back.

It is clear that the U's need to bring in a striker. But even so, they need to find another way, a plan B when attacking, in order to find a better way to defend.

Photos provided and taken by Simon Lankester