Warren Goodhind writes ...
From the Dressing Room

Hello strangers. I know it's been a while but the past seven weeks have certainly been chaotic to say the very least, but don't worry, I have faith in my memory and all that has happened during that time. Now, what was I talking about...? Boom, boom!

Well, for a start I'd like to say a quick thank-you to all those people who passed on their best wishes after I suffered a setback during my comeback game at home to Mansfield, a real crazy game and one I think we'd all rather forget!!

Thankfully the condition has finally been diagnosed, about six months too late (so much for private medicine!). Anyway, onwards and upwards, and after playing over 45 games last year the challenge is to get back a regular start, which isn't going to be easy when the form of others is of a high standard.

Since my last article back in September, a whole number of things have happened that should definitely be touched upon.

Firstly, congratulations to the youth team on their progress through the F.A. Youth Cup and a fantastic performance that was capped with the deserved two nil victory over Millwall's academy side. Their reward is a trip to Leicester's Walkers Stadium and I must say I'm a little bit jealous but hope that we can follow in the youths' footsteps up at Macclesfield this weekend and earn a good draw in the next round.

The youth team after last week's win

I must say that the success of the youth team over bigger academy sides comes as no surprise to me as during my time out of first team action I've been able to train with Ricky and his youth team, as well as attend Centre of Excellence training sessions for the under 15's and 16's.

The level of coaching and the standard of those being taught really does leave you feeling very impressed with the set up, and I can safely say that while the academy sides have a bigger budget and therefore better facilities I doubt very much that the coaching and professionalism put in place by Dan and his fellow tutors can be bettered anywhere. It all bodes well for the future and certainly shows why so many youth players have, and continue to, progress through the ranks - the most recent being Dan Gleeson and Ryan Lockett.

As I mentioned earlier, the last 7-8 weeks have certainly been a rollercoaster ride, both personally and collectively as a team. During that period the first eleven have produced some good battling results and some not so good performances, to put it lightly! It's difficult to put a finger on any one reason as to why the home form is so poor but the work to put this right is being done and hopefully it's just a matter of time before we all get to see the results, sooner rather than later.

The first team squad has of course been reduced in recent weeks for a number of reasons. Lloyd Opara, Lee Summerscales and Jonathan Heathcote have all left for pastures new and, as always, we wish them all the very best of luck for their future careers.

All three are certainly different characters but they're all good lads and it is always sad to see people go. The nature of football means that our paths will inevitably cross one day and that's part of the game's appeal.

Injuries have of course also taken their toll and will certainly see my training partner of the last three months (physio Ant Coole, right) working very hard to earn his crust, but I'm sure he'll be able to work his magic because training with only eight fit outfield pros is certainly a little strange!!

So the up coming weeks will certainly provide a number of challenges that will require all present and fit to stand up and be counted for themselves and their team-mates, as well as the club and those behind us during the bad times as well as the good times.

Warren Goodhind

Make Your Click Count For The U's - talk about it on the Message Board!

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website (unless otherwise stated), is subject to copyright and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source.