Tom Youngs writes ...
From the Dressing Room

After the euphoria of cup final week, and the ensuing disappointment, it was back down to training on Wednesday in preparation for the Oldham game. After having had a few meetings about what went on in the Blackpool game, we did some work on our defensive shape, and I think that was evident on Saturday. Although we eventually conceded two (very well-taken) goals, they were from set-pieces and were due to minor individual errors. Taking the game as a whole, we defended very solidly, restricting them to just one clear-cut chance, from which Lionel saved well.

Unfortunately we lost Duncs midway through the first-half to a medial ligament injury, and it looks as though he will take no further part this season. However, Ash slotted into the back four following his departure, and did really well. When I joined the club as a pro, the first ten-or-so games that I saw Ash play were at centre-half, and he did brilliantly then, though he always maintained that he was a midfielder. He has obviously since firmly established himself in that part of the field, but it was nice to see him adapt so easily when needed.

Ash also scored a cracking goal, and from the Opta stats I see that it was our first from outside the box all season. In training last week, there was a bit of banter between me and him, because neither of us could seem to hit the proverbial barn door in a practice game. Well, Ash certainly had his shooting boots on at Oldham. I was a little disappointed not to have scored from the chances that fell my way, as I have not been as prolific as I would like over the last few games. I feel that I have been playing quite well though, and the chances have kept coming. That is a good sign, and you know that if you keep hitting the target, they will eventually go in. Thankfully this theory was vindicated on Tuesday, when I scored against Chesterfield.

Aside from being pleased with the defensive display at Oldham, our attacking play was also impressive. We passed the ball well, and our movement opened them up on several occasions. We could have scored three or four on another day, but that was to come later in the week. Tony Scully returned to the side on Saturday, and showed us his ability to run at, and past, defenders. With him on the left, and Tudes on the right, we had two wingers with lots of pace who were willing and able to get in behind their defence at will. This continued on Tuesday night, but to even more devastating effect. Both of them were fantastic, and Chesterfield just could not handle them. It was also great to see Sculls pop up at the far post with a headed goal, reprising the one he scored pre-season at Cambridge City, which now seems many moons ago.

I saw a quote from the Chesterfield manager in the Evening News, something along the lines of: "They have no pressure on them now they are down, it was easy for them to perform". That is a nice, easy excuse for him to use, but I can tell you that it is not true. Yes, we are now relegated, but this does not immediately lift pressure from the players. Some are out of contract soon, and are playing for their careers, whether their future lies here at Cambridge, or if they need to impress anybody else watching. With the club in its current financial situation, all the younger players know that they could have to be sold, and that can only happen if the onlooking scouts go away happy. All the players have to impress the Gaffer and Brooksy, as we all want to be a big part of their plans for next season. And professional pride dictates that we will try our hardest not to go down in history for not winning a single away game in the league season.

For all those reasons, do not think that any results we achieve between now and the end of the season are because the 'pressure is off'. We have been working towards the performances of the last three league games for months now, and we will strive to continue at that standard over the next four games, and then into next season.

Finally, I have been getting quite a ribbing from the lads thanks to my new, thuggish look, acquired via David Eyres' elbow at Oldham. Once the initial pain had worn off, I was actually quite thankful, as (like at least four of the rest of the team) I had been suffering from quite a strong head-cold during the game, and it seemed to clear up pretty quickly after the knock! The stitches and shiner have given rise to quite a few condescending looks around town, but if they frighten defenders as much as they seemed to do on Tuesday night (nobody came anywhere near me in the first-half), I don't mind!

Tom Youngs

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