Cambridge United Season Preview: cautious Derry

Cambridge United have ended their last two seasons seven and four points off the play-off places respectively, having not long ago returned to the Football League. Is this a time of impressive progress for the U’s, or should more be expected from them? Supporter Chris Vessey has his say on all things Yellow and Black…

The first season back in the Football League started well but turned sour after the Man Utd game, and we ended it on a low ebb in 18th. The second season we spent a bit of money and changed our transfer policy, but that went awry and we had to change manager halfway through the season, which ended in a late flurry for the play-offs. A poor start to last season saw us playing catch up, and led to another late charge for the play-offs, although realistically we were never going to get there, nor were we good enough.

You’ve conceded just over one goal per game since Shaun Derry took over. What has he done to re-organize the side?

I wouldn’t use the word re-organize as such. He’s a cautious manager, with a defensive outlook, much like he was as a player. Despite claiming to bring us exciting, attacking football when he came to the Club, as a whole that hasn’t quite materialized. Myself and a good number of fans are quite frustrated by this and our good defensive record comes at a cost with regards to our attacking prospects. We never get a hammering but we rarely see strong, attacking and attractive football. Derry has vowed to try and change this so it will be interesting to see the new approach come 5th August.

The club has changed Derry’s title to ‘Head Coach’ and appointed a lot of off-field staff members. Do you see this as a sign that the club is modernizing?

That’s one word for it! Some supporters may seem a little baffled that we appear to have more backroom staff than fit outfield players at times! The change in title was to coincide with the return to the Club of Ben Strang, who headed a successful recruitment team to help get us out of the Conference and back into the Football League. It’s also to give Derry more time coaching and preparing the team and leaves more of the recruitment and scouting duties to Strang and his own team.

Attacking midfielder Luke Berry netted an astonishing 22 goals in all competitions last season. Do you expect him to leave?

The rumoured bid and deal with Hibs appears to have been quashed but I don’t expect Luke to be here past the transfer window. Whilst I’ve fully readied myself to losing such a good player, I’ll still be disappointed and just hope the powers that be can get the very best deal for the Football Club. On a positive note, if we do lose him, it will free up other ways of playing as we had to play a certain formation to get the best out of Luke.

That 22 is six more than your strikers combined to score in all forms last season, an issue not helped by injuries. You must be delighted with the signing of Jabo Ibehre?

I’m fairly happy with the signing of Ibehre, but wary of his age and injury problems. We’ve also just signed a pacy, young striker from Partick Thistle called Ade Azeez that I’m much more excited about. I’d imagine Azeez will be a constant figure up front with Ibehre and Ikpeazu sharing the partnership with him. They’re different options so it’s a good mix.

Right winger David Amoo signs from Partick Thistle. Do you see him starting instead of Piero Mingoia, or will the latter’s position change?

I hope not. Mingoia is an excellent wide midfielder with exceptional crossing ability. He also chips in with some quality goals and plenty of assists. I’d be very surprised should Amoo start ahead of him. He could possibly be used as an impact sub to begin with, especially with Amoo’s pace.

Some fans are not happy to see James Dunne not offered a new contract. Does the signing of powerful midfielders like Emmanuel Osadebe and Gary Deegan make up for that?

Definitely. I was very disappointed to see Dunne go, he was a committed and whole-hearted player but I believe the signings of Osadebe and Deegan will be an upgrade. It wouldn’t surprise me to see these two start in the central midfield berths come the Exeter game. Deegan will do the dirty work in front of the back four and Osadebe will look to use his boundless energy and power forward from midfield.

Leon Legge has always prided himself on his ability in the air. Would you like to see him partnered by a quick centre-back?

It has to be a priority, yes. After the signing of Azeez i’m hoping the Club are working hard to bring in a good, pacy central defender. I’d be very happy to see Blackburn Rovers loanee Scott Wharton come back for another stint. He was very impressive towards the end of last season. The problem could be that we need to move on transfer-listed Mark Roberts first, who is a highly paid player, but obviously not in Derry’s plans. Failing that, we have Josh Coulson returning from a bad injury, and he is always very reliable and loved by the fans.

Bulgarian Under-21s goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov joins with positive reviews from Charlton. Despite this, do you expect Will Norris to remain number one?

Yes, without a doubt, although Dimitar will provide stiff competition. Charlton fans that are ‘in the know’ seemed very disappointed to be losing him, so he must be capable between the sticks. He’s signed a two-year deal, and I fear Norris could be on his way at some point if he continues his excellent progress, so the plan could be to seamlessly move Mitov up to number one without too much fuss should Norris leave.

What are your thoughts ahead of the League Two season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

The usual suspects have spent a few quid and recruited well – Luton Town being the main one. They’ll be up there as usual this season. Steve Evans and Mansfield have unsurprisingly had a clear-out and made numerous impressive signings. Coventry, Swindon and Notts County look to be building decent squads too. With the big names like Doncaster, Plymouth and Portsmouth gone the top seven really is wide open for most Clubs in this division to recruit well and get some consistency going. Not too sure on a dark horse but I have a feeling the two newly-promoted Clubs, Forest Green and Lincoln City, will do well.

Where will you finish? Last summer you rightly said you’d be knocking on the door of the play-offs…

Same again! But it all depends on Derry’s approach to games. If he throws off the shackles every now and then and learn from his mistakes last season, we could make the play-offs. But I think yet again we’ll just drop short. Derry is in the final year of his three-year contract, so it’s a huge season for him, and the pressure will be on. He comes across a nice bloke, but i don’t think he’s the right manager to take us forward with regards to promotion. Prove me wrong, Shaun…

The Football Lab’s Verdict

While there has been a division of power off the field at Cambridge, there will be plenty of power on it. The spine of Legge, Deegan and Ibehre will be ready for any battle, as will Norris, one of League Two’s best goalkeepers. This could be the year the U’s make inroads into the top seven. 5th