View from the Press Box Doug Shulman The U’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Crewe two weeks marked the ten-game point in a new season for Mark Bonner’s men and an appropriate time to assess progression. In fact, the match at Gresty Road probably summarised the campaign to date in some respects with, firstly, a lesson in needing to be on top of your game from minute one, against a side who established themselves well in the third tier last year, following their own promotion. Being 2-0 down so early on was a big wake-up call but, the U’s have adapted well to adversity at a higher level, therefore, it was no surprise to see them emerge after the interval and dominate for large spells, scoring twice to clinch a point. The introduction of substitute Wes Hoolahan, after an injury lay-off, likewise Sam Smith and Shilow Tracey, also highlighted the impact of quality from the bench. Nevertheless, despite waiting until the 94th minute for Adam May’s glorious strike to secure the draw, sparking wild celebrations, post-match thoughts were perhaps tinged with disappointment that the U’s had not made the most of their chances and actually won the game. The ten games have produced three wins, four draws, 3 losses and just one defeat on the road, with an accompanying 16th place in League One representing a more than decent return. It is worth remembering also, that the U’s – following a couple of postponements – have games in hand on all teams above and below them. If they maintain these same levels for the remainder of the season, I think they will be looking upwards rather than over their shoulders come next May. Remarkably, tickets for today’s fixture with Ipswich were sold out 11 days ago, ensuring a biggest league gate at the Abbey since December 2000, when 7,505
passed through the turnstiles for a Division Two game against Peterborough. A far cry from this weekend ten years ago, when just 2,741 watched a Conference fixture with Alfreton. With Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan and Sunderland due to visit over the next six weeks, today’s gate could well be surpassed. Elsewhere, it was great to see U’s midfielder Jensen Weir in the England U20s starting XI last week, for the fixture with Italy. The Brighton loanee played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw, which will add to his experience and certainly further his development. ■ www.cambridge-united.co.uk
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