The only new signing of an eventful summer at Cambridge United, Jai Reason is working hard to live up to expectations and contribute to a good season for the club.

A popular loan signing from Ipswich Town for the final months of last season, Jai took to first team duties like a duck to water and contributed two goals in his 18 appearances during the season's run-in.

"The loan here went better than I ever could have expected," he admits. "I'd been playing for the reserves at Ipswich and I came here wanting to prove a point to a few people and show everyone what I was about.

"So to come to a good club like Cambridge United and be pushing for promotion was a great feeling, and to get to Wembley was better than I could have dreamed about.

"It was a great occasion but unfortunately we lost and we've had to put that behind us now and push on with this season."

Released by Ipswich boss Roy Keane at the end of the season, Jai sat down with his agent and his family and friends to assess his options. They included interest from Football League clubs as well as an offer to join Cambridge United on a permanent basis.

"A few other clubs were interested and I had to hear what they had to say, but Gary Brabin and Paul Carden sold this club to me," he says.

"I'd had a great time here and it's a great club with a very warm, family feel to it. It should be back in the Football League and I was really glad to sign here."

Of course, Brabin parted company with the club midway through pre-season and Jai admits he was rocked by the situation, just weeks after changing clubs for the first time.

"It was the first time I had moved clubs and the first time my manager had been sacked so it was really strange for me. Gary was a great man and manager but the club appointed Martin Ling who is a very good manager, and you can see by the last couple of results that we're kicking on now.

"Different managers have their own different styles but they both like to play football the way I like to play, so the little differences in their strategies or tactics don't matter as much as the fact they want to play the game the right way, which suits me."

The season has been mixed so far. Opening day defeat at home to Barrow was followed by two good wins against Ebbsfleet and Chester, with an unbeaten run of eight games carrying the club into September in the play-off places.

But the run was derailed by a poor 2-0 defeat at Grays, and since then results have been mixed; a draw at Histon and 4-0 win against Ebbsfleet undermined by 3-0 at Hayes & Yeading three weeks ago, and then back-to-back wins in the last two games.

"Obviously the Grays game was a poor display by the whole team and afterwards we tried to figure out what was wrong and try to sort it out," Jai reveals.

"Then we had the really disappointing result against Hayes & Yeading, but again we got back on the training ground and worked on a few things and it seems to be working out now.

"The last two results have given us a kick to try and get another run going like the eight games earlier in the season and hopefully we can keep that going today against Ilkeston."

Being a fixture in the team at the end of last season and such a well-received summer signing means expectations of Jai were set high, and the Southend-based 19-year old has worked hard to live up to them.

He says candidly, "There are always expectations on you from outside, but I have my own personal standards too and when I fall below them I'm disappointed with myself and I try to work out why I've not performed as well as I can.

"I make sure I work hard every day and I go out to do my best in every single game.

"The more experienced players try to help you too," he adds. "People like Pottsy and Wayne Hatswell will put an arm round your shoulder and give you guidance and advice, and that's great because obviously I'm new to all the criticism and also the positive stuff once you get in the first team.

"I think you sometimes need an arm round your shoulder whether you're doing good or bad, and the lads are a good bunch here."

Many players set themselves personal targets at the start of each season and Jai is no different, but his are very simple: "I just want to play as many games as I can and I want to score a few more goals, but my main aim is to play as many games as possible and keep pushing for the play-offs and promotion.

"I think we have a great chance - we have to aim for the play-offs and we shouldn't rule out automatic promotion until there's a bigger gap. If we don't get in the play-offs then personally I'll feel it's been a disappointing season.

"The fans can help us too," he adds. "The support is great and even in the FA Cup game at Lincoln United there were over 400 there for a preliminary round game. So as long as they're behind us they'll give us every chance."

--- 20 Questions ---

Apart from your family, what person has had the most positive influence on your career so far?
My academy coaches at Ipswich were Steve Greaves and Tony Humes and they were fantastic - they helped me before and after training and supported me when I needed it.

Who's the best Captain you have ever played with?
I haven't had many but Paul Carden does an unbelievable job here.

The best player you've played with and against?
With would be Ivan Campo at Ipswich, and against would be Tom Huddlestone - his passing was fantastic.

Out of all the players that have left United since you've been at the Club, who were you saddest to see go?
Phil Bolland - he went about his business quietly but he was very effective.

What player/team did you admire growing up and why?
I was a West Ham fan and Paolo di Canio always entertained the fans and got everyone buzzing.

What's the funniest terrace chant you've ever heard?
I can't think of a funny one that you can print, but the best I've heard is probably Liverpool fans singing "You'll Never Walk Alone".

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 quite good at rugby until it got really physical, and I wasn't bad at basketball.

Your top three sportsmen/women of all time?
Muhammad Ali, Michael Schumacher and Michael Jordan.

What's your favourite meal and drink?
Mum's roast dinner, and pure orange juice.

What was the last album you bought?
Ne-yo.

What was the last film you went to see?
Halloween II.

What car do you drive?
A BMW 1-series.

Where is the furthest you have travelled to on holiday?
Cyprus.

In training, does anyone fancy themselves in a completely different position to their normal match day role?
Pottsy thinks he can play a bit and to be fair he's got a good touch, and Hats thinks he can play up front.

Out of all the players you have played with, who has/had the worst sense of style?
Everyone seems to pick on Rory McAuley but I like it... yes, that is sarcasm in my voice!

Which Cambridge United player would you LEAST like to be stuck in a lift with, and WHY?
I've been waiting for this after last week's programme... Danny Crow! He just talks about himself and loves himself and I couldn't stand to be stuck with him. He's a horrible man!

Which United player past/present would you 'set up' for a 'Beadle's About' kinda stunt, and what would it entail?
Either Mark Beesley, because he thinks he's a bit of a joker, or Anthony Tonkin because he would lose his head very quickly and be an angry man.

Where is the best place on Earth, and why?
My house after we've won on a Saturday.

What is the one piece of advice you would give a young player?
Always work hard. A good attitude will take you far, on and off the pitch.

What's the very best thing about football?
Playing first team football and knowing how much it means.

Jai was talking to Andrea Thrussell
web@cambridge-united.co.uk

This interview was also published in the programme for the FA Cup match against Ilkeston Town on Saturday 7th November 2009.

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