WHY DERRY SHOULD LOOK TO BUILD THE TEAM AROUND GEORGE MARIS, IN A DEEPER POSITION TOO

By Ollie Slack - writer for YABA

George Maris has been one of many attacking players to have stepped foot on Shaun Derry's rotation policy merry-go-round. But his cameo against Stevenage proves why he is so important to the U's and in a new position, he could flourish in.

Maris and fans watching him would of have been pleased after his first season in Cambridge. The former Barnsley man looked a promising talent in his first season at the Abbey. You only have to look at the 35-yard screamer he scored against Doncaster last season (1m34s) to see that Maris has a lot of ability. His technique, achieving flying whip, when taking set pieces also oozes class.



However, in his second season when most thought he would really kick on, he has yet to put a consistent run of games together. Only completing a full 90 minutes once, George has registered just the one assist and his only goal coming in his man of the match display against League 2 minnows Yeovil.

How much this is down to Maris himself, is another question altogether. Last season Maris mostly found himself out on the left wing, despite admitting in the pre-season he shines best in the number 10 position. The departure of Luke Berry looked to have inspired Maris to take up the mantle and become a more prominent figure in a more central position. Shaun Derry switched to a 41212 formation against Morecambe, the first game after Berry left for the Hatters. And despite the scoreline finishing 0-0, United really should have taken all 3 points.

Maris, who played in the inside left channel just to the side of Gary Deegan, had a major impact on the game. This position allowed him to cut inside on his sweet right foot still but also give him the chance to have a greater impact creatively in the middle of the park.

Maris a victim of Derry's rotation policy

The U's and the 41212 system were looking strong until away trips to Barnet, Mansfield and Swindon, and more surprisingly a home game against the then bottom club, Chesterfield. Each team played high and wide, stretching the 2 players either side of Deegan, leaving him and consequently the back four, very exposed.

Due to the tremor on the road, Shaun opted and rightly so, to become more compact away from home. This, unfortunately, meant Maris was occasionally sacrificed. No wonder he has yet to kick on consistently this season.

Now the U's have come to a point where they are really struggling for goals, and unlike when they had their fling with the 41212, the chances have also dried up. Only scoring 1 in their last 5, averaging 0.6 goals a game in their last 10 and scoring the joint least amount of goals (17) this season along with Crawley, 21 goals off the top scorers (Luton, 48). Just a few of the stats to demonstrate the unrest amongst United fans.

Now the U's have come to a point where they have to play their best and most creative players. Shaun and Joe have made valid points in the past about the rotation policy, especially with young players such as Maris and inexperienced football league ones in Jevani Brown. But when it could potentially cost you your job, is it worth it? The impact these two had on Saturday evening shows why the team should be built around them.

George strikes a sweet free-kick towards the NRE goal

Maris played in central midfield alongside Medy Elito. I'm not saying they should be our pairing going forward, however, the glimpses George showed in that position provided U's fans something they have been craving for a while. The quick thinking, sharp look over the shoulder, dynamic runs forward and the fizzed passes into the frontmen, had fans salivating.

What more, the link up with bright spark Jevani Brown has to give Derry some food-for-thought. Whether you forgo Jevani's number 10 position with the need of playing two big men up top and move him out to the right-hand side allowing him to cut in on his wand of a left foot, or, drop one of the big men up top and play Jevani just off the other in a forward free role, it's a great problem to have. One thing is for sure, to improve the team's fluidity, having Maris in central midfield dictating play with Gary Deegan his anchor, is a must.

Some may question how having someone with such attacking intent as Maris in the middle of the park, could expose Deegan. However, this isn't set in stone. In football, you have to be versatile and adapt. When you are playing in front of your home crowd and have a duty to be on the front foot, the options above would easily entertain. You could also add an extra man - Paul Lewis, Liam O'Neil or Many Osadebe - who gives you that box-to-box/defensive security, to balance the side away from home.

It's not as if Maris doesn't have the steel to play in the centre of the field. The Sheffield-born lad has dug his blades into a few tackles since arriving in July 2016, picking up 6 yellow cards in the process. It's not as if is Irish colleague can't make up for it nevertheless!

Maris and Brown must start together

Your best players should play every game, allowing an occasional tactical master-plan. And when you have guys with such intelligence and creativity as George Maris and Jevani Brown do, the team should be built around them. I honestly believe Maris has the ability to orchestrate a whole match from a slightly deeper position. A lovely weighted ball through the lines for Medy Elito, to assist him in squaring the ball to Ibehre against Yeovil.

For an orchestra to play, perform and entertain, a conductor is needed. Something the Cambridge faithful haven't found since Tom Champion used to bop it around with Kwesi Appiah. But maybe if they, and Shaun Derry, look a little bit harder, the U's may have an award-winning one right under their noses.

Photos provided and taken by Simon Lankester