Saturday 8th September 2018
Cambridge United aim to seal back-to-back league victories as the Cumbrians visit CB5.
The Cambridge United View:
On the back of an enjoyable afternoon, once again, at the Lamex Stadium last Saturday, attention now turns to procedures against John Sheridan's Carlisle United. United have had good encounters with the Cumbrians in the past, including a 4-4 draw in August 2015 at Brunton Park. Just some of the goal scorers that day were: Luke Berry, George Taft and Barry Corr with a brace. For the hosts, a certain Jabo Ibehre who would take the match ball home. All is forgiven now, of course.
Stevenage really was thoroughly entertaining, we saw glimpses of the side clicking and there were some scintillating individual performances. Louis John looking as composed as you could get, which considering he's fresh to the Football League, is impressive. David Amoo stretched out plenty of minutes where he really did cause havoc down that right-side of the pitch. You know what you're getting from David: pace, always determined to beat his man and supply ammunition into the box. It was fantastic too for David Forde to keep a clean-sheet too and it really is a testament to the back four as well. The presence you'll get from our number 1 is crucial, he's vocal and his communication is vital. We saw more proof that when Gary Deegan has a good game, the whole team does. Catalyst.
Southend-wise, it, of course, would have been nice to score some goals and increase morale. But the fact the players came out of the game unscathed is probably the main thing considering the tournament itself is not received well. Southend created many chances, Dunne acknowledged that and it wasn't our day. Let's just say it was an anomaly. Roll on Saturday!
For United to record back-to-back league victories would be important, I emphasise on important. In the space of two games, we would look very healthy in terms of the league table. Credit to Newport County, 2nd in the table is some feat thus far! Who would have expected Notts County to be rock-bottom come September too? Harry Kewell to the rescue! Back to the U's, we find ourselves 17th in the rankings with 7 points. A win could very well put us roughly 13th, a valid improvement. Slow and steady wins the race, though! It will, of course, be a tough ask sending Carlisle back home with no points.
Joe Dunne has remained as upbeat as ever, highlighting positives within his side ahead of this weekend's match. In terms of team selection, Reggie Lambe is away on international duty. I never thought I'd have to say that with a Cambridge player! Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last international to play for Cambridge was Keiran Murtagh of Antigua and Barbuda back in 2011! Joe Dunne wants the biggest selection headache possible. He stresses how much the side wants to "match the intensity and energy levels of last weekend." That certainly would go down a treat! John Sheridan's side will be "very motivated" which of course can be difficult to break down. You could very well see the boys in amber and black "attack with purpose" too. Having Greg Taylor and Paul Lewis back is very useful, United with more options is always a positive. For now, it's hard to tell who will miss out through injury or who is deemed fit to play. But I guess it adds to the excitement!
Stray observations time. First and foremost, it's great to see Ben Worman sign a three-year professional deal with the club. Let's hope he flourishes on loan at St Neots and gets a crack at first-team football sooner rather than later. That goes to all the other youngsters at United currently getting crucial minutes elsewhere. The likes of Norville-Williams, Knowles, Watkins, Squire and Iron are the future. There are a few debates I could get out ahead of the Carlisle game. It really is once again a case of who do you put in the centre-back position now Taylor is back. You could very well deploy Taylor at left-back and have John and Taft paired up. But then again, Carroll is in brilliant form so why change something which works?
Stevenage really was thoroughly entertaining, we saw glimpses of the side clicking and there were some scintillating individual performances. Louis John looking as composed as you could get, which considering he's fresh to the Football League, is impressive. David Amoo stretched out plenty of minutes where he really did cause havoc down that right-side of the pitch. You know what you're getting from David: pace, always determined to beat his man and supply ammunition into the box. It was fantastic too for David Forde to keep a clean-sheet too and it really is a testament to the back four as well. The presence you'll get from our number 1 is crucial, he's vocal and his communication is vital. We saw more proof that when Gary Deegan has a good game, the whole team does. Catalyst.
Southend-wise, it, of course, would have been nice to score some goals and increase morale. But the fact the players came out of the game unscathed is probably the main thing considering the tournament itself is not received well. Southend created many chances, Dunne acknowledged that and it wasn't our day. Let's just say it was an anomaly. Roll on Saturday!
For United to record back-to-back league victories would be important, I emphasise on important. In the space of two games, we would look very healthy in terms of the league table. Credit to Newport County, 2nd in the table is some feat thus far! Who would have expected Notts County to be rock-bottom come September too? Harry Kewell to the rescue! Back to the U's, we find ourselves 17th in the rankings with 7 points. A win could very well put us roughly 13th, a valid improvement. Slow and steady wins the race, though! It will, of course, be a tough ask sending Carlisle back home with no points.
Joe Dunne has remained as upbeat as ever, highlighting positives within his side ahead of this weekend's match. In terms of team selection, Reggie Lambe is away on international duty. I never thought I'd have to say that with a Cambridge player! Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last international to play for Cambridge was Keiran Murtagh of Antigua and Barbuda back in 2011! Joe Dunne wants the biggest selection headache possible. He stresses how much the side wants to "match the intensity and energy levels of last weekend." That certainly would go down a treat! John Sheridan's side will be "very motivated" which of course can be difficult to break down. You could very well see the boys in amber and black "attack with purpose" too. Having Greg Taylor and Paul Lewis back is very useful, United with more options is always a positive. For now, it's hard to tell who will miss out through injury or who is deemed fit to play. But I guess it adds to the excitement!
Stray observations time. First and foremost, it's great to see Ben Worman sign a three-year professional deal with the club. Let's hope he flourishes on loan at St Neots and gets a crack at first-team football sooner rather than later. That goes to all the other youngsters at United currently getting crucial minutes elsewhere. The likes of Norville-Williams, Knowles, Watkins, Squire and Iron are the future. There are a few debates I could get out ahead of the Carlisle game. It really is once again a case of who do you put in the centre-back position now Taylor is back. You could very well deploy Taylor at left-back and have John and Taft paired up. But then again, Carroll is in brilliant form so why change something which works?
The Carlisle United View:
John Sheridan's side have had a positive start to the season, finding themselves 10th on 10 points. They overcome Morecambe at Brunton Park on Tuesday in the Checkatrade Trophy 3-2, bouncing back from last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Mansfield Town. Before that, they recorded 3 consecutive wins. 1-0 against Crewe, 2-1 at home to Port Vale and a 1-0 defeat of Cheltenham Town. So overall, what you would expect from the team from the North West, comfortably mid-table with touching distance of the playoffs.
Last time out against Carlisle United, we lost 2-1 in our first game at the Abbey last season and then took a point from Brunton Park in the latter end of the season. At the Abbey, a certain Reggie Lambe opened the scoring in the 8th minute before Medy Elito equalised from a penalty 6 minutes later. He loved a goal against Carlisle did Medy! Tom Parkes won the game for the visitors just before the break. United huffed and puffed in the second-half, Uche Ikpeazu, Jabo Ibehre and Luke Berry all going close. In the reverse fixture, United really did have to grind for the point in a game where Carlisle looked dangerous whenever they got in our half. 58% possession and 18 shots compared to Cambridge's 7. A Richie Bennett strike on 47 was soon cancelled out by a George Maris header. A case of 1 point gained rather than 2 points dropped for the amber outfit.
Carlisle United arrive with many players who could unlock Cambridge. One of those being 26-year-old, who pulls the strings in the middle of the park, has good vision and pops up with many assists. He's found the net once this season. On-loan from Middlesbrough, goalkeeper Joe Fryer has adapted to League Two well. And with an assured defence in Anthony Gerrard and Tom Parkes in front of him, he will continue to learn. Summer signing from Newcastle United and former-loanee Macaulay Gillesphey is a favourite at Brunton Park. His consistent performances provide stability in the defence.
Team-wise for Carlisle United, we know that Hallam Hope could very well be unavailable having been called up for the Barbados international team this week. His presence would be a big miss for Carlisle, he has found the net twice so far this season. According to John Sheridan, it is a long flight back so it will "depends what shape he's in." As of Tuesday night's match against Morecambe, Danny Grainger, Mike Jones and Jason Kennedy were all injured. Therefore from what we know so far, you can't be certain they'll play much of a part at the Abbey.
Speaking ahead of the trip to the Abbey, Sheridan said: "Every game in this league is tough, Cambridge will be no different... we'll go there feeling confident and if we're on our game, we'll give anyone a good test."
Speaking ahead of the trip to the Abbey, Sheridan said: "Every game in this league is tough, Cambridge will be no different... we'll go there feeling confident and if we're on our game, we'll give anyone a good test."
Joe Dunne's men are due a win in front of the home crowd
Us United faithful are surely due a win at the Abbey, a goal which means something would be nice to see too. In what is a tough game, you have to believe Joe Dunne's side has learnt from the abysmal Cheltenham Town performance. Evidence of that was certainly at Stevenage. Like previously stated, can we keep up the energy levels and attacking intent from last week? I certainly hope so. It's time to add more consistency with results like the back end of last season. "Joe Dunne's Amber Army!"
I'll be appearing in the matchday programme for the Carlisle United game. My A to Z column sees me highlight a famous 1970's right-back this time! It was a thoroughly entertaining piece. Be sure to give it a read.
Up the U's!
Up the U's!
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