The Cambridge United official website is committed to bringing you the latest news from the Club and, with that in mind, we are delighted to present the next installment of our new feature - Jez Says.
This weekly article offers fans an opportunity to hear from manager Jez George as he provides an insight on the latest happenings at the R Costings Abbey Stadium, home of the mighty U's.
Snow Joke For Jez
The wintry weather has been an excuse for many to go out and play in the snow - for footballers, however, the opposite is true.
Rock-hard pitches resulted in a swathe of postponements across the country on Saturday, including Cambridge United's FA Trophy clash against Guiseley.
Hopes of a hasty rescheduling of the match were dashed when sub-zero temperatures ensured the R Costing Abbey Stadium pitch was still unplayable on Tuesday, much to the annoyance of manager Jez George.
"It's a nightmare," he said. "We've not been able to do anything with a ball for three or four days. Even the astro turf pitches are frozen with snow on top.
"It would be counter-productive trying to run around on a rock-hard frozen astro turf surface and grass is impossible."
It is a situation which has required a pragmatic response and training has taken on a slightly different theme in recent days, with another member of the backroom staff coming to the fore.
"This is where Scott Taylor the fitness coach comes into his own," Jez revealed. "He's got that expertise and knowledge. We're just trying to keep them as fit as we can keep them. They've been in the gym and doing work with weights."
The enforced break from match action has not been all bad news, however. "It's a little bit of a break for them," Jez admitted. "Mentally it's a good opportunity for them to recharge their batteries a bit. I don't think it's always the physical demands, it's the mental demands, especially with such a young group.
"I think to not pore over DVDs and not talk about detail and not be too intense with them for a few days is good for them. We've just let them get on with their work without having to think too much. Hopefully it'll be a good thing in the long run."
Jez has managed to secure a venue for Thursday's session where the players can train indoors and finally get the chance to kick a football again.
"We might even do a little training game for some of the lads who haven't been playing," he said. "One or two of the lads struggle on the astro surface. People think it's a good surface but it's totally different to grass.
"We've got to be careful we don't do extra for the sake of it and cause our own problems, but use the break wisely."
Tamworth Reaction
Prior to the onset of a new ice age, United lost 1-0 at home to Tamworth, their second home league defeat on the bounce.
Jez spent some time stewing on that result and indeed the performance, which left a lot to be desired.
"It's always disappointing to have an enforced break after a defeat," he confessed. "I look at where we could have been with a win but I suppose I've got to stop myself doing that.
"I've stayed away from the players for a couple of days, I think it's good, they can do their work with Scott."
Trophy Favourites
Despite postponements across the board in the weekend's FA Trophy ties, the draw for the fourth round was made on Monday and United were quickly installed as the bookies' favourites to win the competition.
Should the U's tame the Lions - and Jez acknowledged this is far from a formality - they will be at home to either Dartford or Wealdstone.
"I see the FA Trophy as an opportunity, you want to build consistency and win matches," Jez said.
"You don't see too many poor bookies so hopefully we'll live up to it."
Injury Update
Jez revealed winger Jordan Patrick's injury is not progressing as planned, which could mean a change of approach with his treatment.
Pinpointing the injury has proved difficult, with the vague term 'groin problem' not adequate to describe the issue.
"JP has not responded as we would have liked," Jez conceded. "We're trying to decide the best way forward with him. It's too easy to call it a groin problem because that's got a multitude of different possibilities.
"Josh (Coulson) and (Michael) Wylde have got groin issues but they're totally different. It's a little frustrating the work we're doing with Jordan isn't seeming to move that forward so we'll probably have to go and get him checked out by someone different."
Ashley Carew, who picked up a knock on his knee in last Monday's training session, was due to visit a specialist today (Tuesday).
The 26-year-old was unable to train the following day and when he did step up his work later in the week his knee became swollen.
There was better news regarding Coulson, who recently underwent surgery on his groin issue.
Jez explained: "Josh's op went fine, he's just resting up at the moment, he won't do much this week then he'll start doing some strengthening work next week."
Medal for Marvin?
One man, or beast, has been enjoying the snow more than most and Marvin the Moose received further good news when it was revealed he would be competing at the Olympic Stadium in London.
Marvin received sizeable support among a star-studded field of mascots, with more than 8,500 votes cast in total, and he will now strut his stuff at the landmark venue.
Jez was delighted to hear the news and even hatched a plan to make sure Marvin brings home the gold medal.
He added: "We wish him all the best. Perhaps we should get Scott Taylor to do some work with him to make sure he wins the race?"
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