There are three words guaranteed to leave Danny Crow shaking his head in wistful regret: Big Ron Manager.

When the young striker arrived at the Abbey last September, rumours about his poor attitude were rife and many noted that he was carrying a little extra timber.

Fast-forward 13 months and the new slim-line Crow has won over all but a stubborn minority with a string of committed displays, but he admits that his infamous cameo on 'that' TV show still haunts him.

"That's followed me ever since and I get asked about it all the time. I've got regrets but people don't know the full story and everything that went on. I was young then and I've learnt a lot from it and I've moved on.

"It wasn't a nice club to be at and maybe I didn't react like I would now, but I'd like to think people would forget about it!"

The 23-year-old is noticeably more mature now and likeable to match, far removed from the petulant loudmouth which some had harshly portrayed him to be.

And on the subject of his weight, he is typically candid: "I was overweight and I'm not going to make excuses. Things had gone on at Peterborough and my mindset wasn't right and my fitness suffered.

"I've learnt lessons and now I'm in good shape and I just want to play my part in a successful team and I think my performances are showing that.

"I had to win over some fans when I came here because of where I had come from, and it was frustrating not to make a bigger impact when I first joined."

The former Norwich player admits that he is disappointed not to have scored more goals, but adds that his overall contribution to the team has improved markedly this term.

"I've realised that it's not enough just to have the technique and skill, you need to work hard and I think I've added that to my game. I've got confidence in myself and I do think the goals will come."

Like most of the fans, Danny is bemused by the startling inconsistency exhibited by the side this season, but he feels there are encouraging signs.

"We're not dominating games like we know we can, we're having good spells but then switching off and making it harder for ourselves. But we showed against Lincoln United that we can step up a gear and showed some real character to come back in that game and get the result.

"We knew that would be a tough game as soon as the draw was made. Everyone expects you to steamroller teams like that but they always raise their game and make it tough. At one goal down it could've been trouble but we stuck at the task and won comfortably in the end."

His sights are now set on an FA Cup run to match the one which culminated in a last-gasp defeat at Wolves two seasons ago.

"The third round is the target and then you look for a big draw. I suppose some fans might want Peterborough and I'd be up for that, although I'm sure I'd get some stick!

"We're pleased to get a home draw in the Cup, it's always good to have the backing of the home fans because they're always vocal and we need to make the Abbey a fortress."

The U's have suffered badly at the hands of some of the division's lesser lights, raising the white flag away at Grays Athletic and Hayes & Yeading without so much as a hint of opportunity to win those games, but Crow insists that it's not endemic.

"I don't think we have a problem raising our game for the smaller teams. We just had two bad performances at Grays and Hayes. Nobody played well in those games so we've all got to take responsibility.

"It's disrespectful to say it's embarrassing to lose matches like that, but it is disappointing because you know if you're on your game you will win those matches. We let the fans down, the manager down and we let ourselves down. It's up to us to put it right."

In a season of stark contrasts, Danny highlights the 4-2 defeat to the ten men of Luton at the Abbey as the most telling match to date.

"The Luton game was a big dent to our confidence; to lose a match like that was hugely disappointing.

"It shows our inconsistency is something that happens within matches - we play well for 45 minutes and then go off the boil for the next 45. So it's not just game to game that we're being inconsistent, but actually during matches too."

His first pre-season with the club was a typical Cambridge United summer, with the door to the manager's office worn from its hinges by the time Martin Ling finally settled into the role, but Danny refuses to hide behind that.

"It's an easy excuse to say what went on in pre-season impacted on us. We had to stick together and get on with our jobs and we can't blame that for where we are now; that's down to us.

"Martin Ling is all about passing and shape work. When I was at Norwich we were always taught that kind of stuff and that's what the gaffer is about.

"He's trying to get us doing things the right way. He's probably not as loud as Gary Brabin but he gets his point across and encourages us to play good football."

He also reserves special praise for player/assistant Paul Carden, who he teamed up with previously at Peterborough (though we will forgive them both this trespass).

"Cardy has got a hard job and he has to pick us up from time to time and he balances that with playing.

"The two of them are definitely trying to do things the right way and get us playing, but we have to do the dirty stuff too."

Another team-mate who gets the Danny Crow thumbs-up is top scorer Chris Holroyd, who he believes has a bright future in the game.

"Chris is on fantastic form and he's got all the attributes to be a great player; he's skilful, he's quick and he's got an eye for goal.

"I'm sure people are watching him but we want to keep him here because he's vital for the team and we want to push on and get promoted."

That 'p' word has caused some controversy lately, with Ling saying in the wake of the Hayes & Yeading debacle that promotion was still three years off, before saying that it was still a possibility this year.

Danny insists that it definitely is within reach this time around and says the players would have no qualms with taking the play-off route again.

"Of course the way last season ended was disappointing, but we're not afraid of the play-offs. You've got to back yourself to win them if you're in them, we certainly wouldn't say no to a play-off spot.

"It's a tough league to get out of but the lads believe we can get promoted. The gaffer's got a three-year plan and I'm one of several players fighting for a new contract to be a part of that plan.

"If we all do our jobs and make it happen two years earlier then it's better for everyone."

Danny closed with some kind words for the ever-improving youth system at Cambridge: "It's good to see the young lads coming through, Rory McAuley came in and got a goal at Lincoln and played really well.

"CRC are flying and players like Mazza (Adam Marriott) are really impressing in training. Then we've got Sam Ives and Jordan Patrick who will come through so it's really promising."

--- 20 Questions ---

Apart from your family, what person has had the most positive influence on your career so far?
Aidy Boothroyd when I was at Norwich, he gave me a youth contract. A very good manager and a real football man who has helped me out in the past.

Who's the best Captain you have ever played with?
Micah Hyde - a strong leader who played at a high level. Everyone respected him and we followed his instructions, on or off the pitch.

The best player you've played with/against?
Against would be Steven Gerrard, definitely. With would be Darren Huckerby or David Bentley.

Out of all the players that have left United since you've been at the Club, who were you saddest to see go?
Daryl McMahon. He was a funny lad and great in the dressing room to keep spirits up. He would always be the first to come up with a joke, no matter what.

What player/team did you admire growing up and why?
I remember watching Norwich in the days of them playing Bayern and Inter. As for players, I always admired Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.

What's the funniest terrace chant you've ever heard?
There's the one Oxford fans sing to Courtney Pitt, but you can't print that. Ben Farrell's chant was pretty funny, but I don't think you can print that either!

Outside of football, are there any other sports at which you were good as a youngster and might have gone on to play professionally?
I was pretty good at golf but I wouldn't have made it as a professional.

Your top three sportsmen/women of all time?
Floyd Mayweather, Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) and Michael Jordan.

What's your favourite meal and drink?
I like Italian food and my favourite drink is Sprite.

What was the last album you bought?
Jay-Z's latest album, it's really good.

What was the last film you went to see?
The Hangover, it's one of the funniest films I've ever seen.

What car do you drive?
I don't own one, I sold my Audi A4. I drive my missus' Punto.

Where is the furthest you have travelled to on holiday?
I went to the Maldives a couple of years ago.

In training, does anyone fancy themselves in a completely different position to their normal matchday role?
Pitty fancies himself in the Makele role. Glees likes to wander forward in training, and to be fair he's scored a few goals too.

Out of all the players you have played with, who has/had the worst sense of style?
Jai Reason. He wears pink Converses trainers with white Nike three-quarter lengths. He's a horrible specimen.

Which Cambridge United player would you LEAST like to be stuck in a lift with, and why?
Jai Reason... I'd have to look at his horrible shoes.

Which United player past/present would you 'set up' for a 'Beadle's About' kinda stunt, and what would it entail?
Brian Saah. He thinks he's so cool and laid back. I'd like to set up some stunt where he gets arrested just to see him lose his cool.

Where is the best place on Earth, and why?
Great Yarmouth. It's where I grew up and it's just a lovely place.

What is the one piece of advice you would give a young player?
Always believe in yourself, always put the effort in and show good attitude.

What's the very best thing about football?
Playing football every day, being around the banter and showing people what you can do.

Russ Greaves

This interview was also published in the programme for the match against Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday 31st October 2009.

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