By Owen Mizon - writer for YABA
I'll start the article off with the positives. Although 14 Cambridge United players have just under 2 months left on their contract, there are a couple of players tied down on deals that will see them at the Abbey Stadium next season and, hopefully, beyond.
The ever-improving Harry Darling recently signed an extended deal that will keep him with the club until the summer of 2021. However, it's more than likely he will spend some time out on loan for the foreseeable future, gaining vital experience. From what we've seen of him, he's a real prospect and one for the future. Evident by his vital role in the U18's FA Youth Cup exploits last season.
Liam O'Neil signed a bumper contract on Transfer Deadline Day last January, where he will be at the club until 2020. Originally a right-back at former club Chesterfield, Shaun Derry brought him into the club as a defensive midfielder. However, under Joe Dunne he has been given more freedom to attack the oppositions box and create more chances in Dunne's favourable diamond formation. He is a useful squad member in my opinion.
The last player who, contract-wise, will see the new decade in with the U's is Paul Lewis. Lewis was signed by Shaun Derry due to his goalscoring ability, which can be quite rare for a midfielder. As part of his deal until 2020, his aims were exactly that - regularly get on the scoresheet. This season he has been shipped to Dover (not intended) and came back into the U's squad recently, impressing and even scoring when drafted on as a substitute against Wycombe Wanderers. However, with former club Macclesfield Town looking destined to be a League club next season, I wouldn't bet against them not enquiring for his services once more.
Captain Gary Deegan signed on a two-year contract in the summer so will remain a United player for the time being. And happily so. The midfielder does the nitty-gritty work, controlling the men around him and plays the intimidating role extremely well. He loves a tackle too may I point out! Going forward for the next year, United will be strong with Gary in the middle of the park doing the dirty work.
When he's played this season, Jake Carroll has been relatively strong. This was always the case when he was with Hartlepool United too. Similar to Halliday, he likes to get forward and link with the left-midfielder. As proven against Crawley Town, he can confidently beat his man when he needs to. He'll be a useful United player until 2019.
Former Partick Thistle and AFC Wimbledon Ade Azeez too is contracted with the club for another year, but has found opportunities limited this season. He has had brief spells starting for the club in August and December, but injuries in-between has affected him. He has struggled to recapture the form that earned him a move to Scotland. He is currently at Dover Athletic on loan and he might need to move on if he wants more game time.
Dimitar Mitov is a young and hungry goalkeeper who was brought into the club in the hope he can be developed more to eventually become the U's number one. Similar to the process with Will Norris. Chances were always going to be hard to come by with experienced David Forde ahead of you, however. But I believe he'll be given a chance in the net again very soon and we could very well see more of him next season.
George Maris is, thankfully, with the club for another season. In February, Shaun Derry stated that clubs had been interested in some of his players, I thoroughly expect Maris was in that category. He is improving by the game and adding goals to his game now. He hasn't long been a regular Football League player so experience he is gaining is key. Whoever manages the U's next season should ensure they create the team around Maris.
Former St. Neots Town man Jevani Brown is contracted with Cambridge United until the Summer of 2019. Growing game by game, he is a maestro in this team and can make things happen. His eye for the goal and the way he spots passes is pivotal for the future. However, expect teams, as high as the Championship, to be after him.
Matthew Foy has one more year left on his Cambridge product. A natural goalscorer as a youngster, especially in the U18's, it's now his time to take that instinct into men's football. For the time being, he's gaining valuable experience at numerous Non-League clubs. Currently at Harlow Town where he has found the net a numerous amount of times.
Similar to Foy, youth product Leon Davies has heaps of potential which has been noticed. A frequent member of the 18 man squad for the past 2 seasons, he has been spotted by the likes of Everton and Newcastle United who were intrigued by his style of play. Still only 18, he has made appearances against big teams such as Exeter City and Blackpool, rarely looking out of place. A loan move to a Conference Premier side could be good for his progress.
Now to the key part of the article, I will assess the players who's contract expiration date is imminent, giving my personal verdict on if they should stay or part ways with Cambridge United.
Barry Corr - Although he will always go down as a fan favourite within Cambridge United fans old and young, you do wonder what a 40 game-a-season Corr could do. Injuries have hampered his time at the club and whilst it's great he's currently ready to play a part in the further matches this season, there's a big chance it won't hold. It might be too little too late now for Barry, nevertheless, we'd wish him well I'm sure.
David Amoo - What a game-changer David is! His blistering pace and trickery allow him to beat his man ever so easily at times. He provides the U's with plenty of chances and is a fantastic option off the bench. A full pre-season schedule under his belt would do him the world of good, he didn't get that this season. If he can shrug off the reoccurring injuries too, Amoo is someone we should definitely hold on to.
Uche Ikpeazu - Uche loves this club. Although still only 23, he has had lots of experience on loan at Football League clubs. At Cambridge, I believe he has felt the most at home. His strength is frightening as is his work rate. He's a useful player to have at any club and has contributed to many goals during his time at the club. To pen a new contract down would be great news all-round, but time is ticking. And you would have thought, if both parties were interested, this would have been tied down by now.
David Forde - You could argue that Forde has been Cambridge United's best player this season. 15 clean sheets is a fantastic record and he has been in inspired form for particular games like Coventry City at home and Carlisle United away. He is 39 however and will be retiring soon. But has he got one more year left him and would he still be effective for League football? Definitely. His heaps of experience will no doubt help Mitov flourish. I'd definitely want him to be the U's number one next season, but it poses the question, would he want to see out his career elsewhere?
Jabo Ibehre - There's no doubt about it, Jabo Ibehre is a goalscorer. Wherever he plays, he'll get goals. He has shown that instinct this season. But injuries have once again affected him and he is now 34, then again he did state there are years left him in yet in pre-season. He's a great man and reliable if you need a goal, but do we need a target man of his calibre, but just younger? I believe so.
Piero Mingoia - Cambridge United's first signing of the 2016/17 season was a real coup. With Accrington Stanley, he showed he could compete at the top and very nearly got them promoted. He has a goalscoring ability, he proved that last season. But it's just not gone his way this term. With arguably the best delivery in the league and superb link-up play with Halliday, a new man in charge could get the best out of him. Another year would be great.
Medy Elito - Medy is another player out of contract in the summer. 3 goals to his name this season, a reliable penalty taker and decent skills in his locker, he can change games on his day. Last season he was superb at home against Luton as was his cameo at Carlisle. But inconsistency is his problem. There's a chance he'll leave for pastures new to rekindle that form. Another League Two club I feel.
Leon Legge - A Richard Money signing, Leon has been a class servant to the club. The powerful centre-back dominates attackers and is comfortable on the ball too. Arguably one of the best defenders in the division on his day. He pops up with goals too with important goals too. It's been a while since he's started, however, evidence of just how good Taft and Taylor have been of late. Although it would be nice to see him have another year at the club, a new challenge may await his final years as a player.
Harrison Dunk - The U's longest serving player, Dunk is very effective as both a full-back or a winger. With pace to burn and a menacing cross on him, he's the type of player the team need to keep hold of. He's had a good run under Joe Dunne after previously settling on the bench under Derry. All he needs now is more goals to his game. Here's hoping he gets an extension.
Greg Taylor - Taylor was a pivotal cog in United's double-winning team, practically playing every single game that season. And played well as a left-back in the early League 2 days. But this season he has blossomed. A solid 7 or 8/10 each week, he has made the centre-back position his own. His partnership with Taft too, has strengthened by the game. Surely he deserves another year or two?
Brad Halliday - Halliday is by far one of, if not the, best full-backs League Two has to offer. And to let him go on a free would be a shameful decision. He will no doubt be playing at a higher level one day and is extremely composed on the ball. Probably the U's most consistent player for the past 2 seasons, an extension has to be imminent?
George Taft - A familiar face who was out of favour with parent club Mansfield Town and soon will be out of contract. He has hinted on social media that he would not pass up the opportunity of re-joining the U's for a fourth time in the summer, this time permanently. From what he's shown this season, he'd be welcome with open arms. A battling defender who makes the back four much more solid and preventing mistakes.
Billy Waters - Billy gives 110% every game, it's clear to see that. It's an extremely useful asset to have and can intimidate defenders. He'll go back to Northampton vying to make their starting 11. That very well could be in League Two next season with how they're going. Expect to see him at The Abbey next season, just not in amber and black.
Adam Phillips - A young prospect highly rated from Norwich. He needs game time and that just hasn't happened at Cambridge United. He'll search again next season for another team to help him progress. From what we've seen of him, he loves to break down play and has a killer pass on him.
A busy month ahead for the U's off the pitch. Will new deals be awarded or will we allow the new manager to bring in their own players? Time, as they say, will tell.
Up the U's!
Owen Mizon
Mizonowen@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment