Back in the team and scorer of the equaliser against Carlisle on Tuesday night, local lad David Bridges is relishing the challenge of keeping his place in the side.

Trailing 1-0 to Paul Simpson's 7th minute opener, United struck back through David's 53rd minute header and a strike by fellow midfielder Luke Guttridge three minutes later.

It was 'Bridgo''s first goal of an injury-hit season and he was pleased to relive the moment for this interview: "The ball was wide and I thought the cross was going to come in so I made the early run, it got cut back so I just spun to the back post and Fred pretty much put it in front of me to go and attack, so I put my head on it and put it in."

The goal came in front of the Newmarket Road End, where David stood as a youngster, and his delight was clear as he ran along the front of the stand to celebrate with the supporters.

"It's been a long while," he admits with a smile. "My last goal was the day before my 20th birthday, nearly eighteen months ago, so it's been a long time since I've felt that.

"I know a few of the people who were in the stand, a few of my mates from home, so I was half-looking for them but I couldn't see them."

John Taylor described his performance against Carlisle as "outstanding", and after making his comeback from an ankle operation 'Bridgo' hopes he has staked his claim for a run in the side.

After an operation on an ankle problem in June, the 21-year-old had to miss the start of pre-season training and consequently has found himself playing 'catch up' at times this season, as he explains.

"I'd got myself fit enough by the end of the pre-season to play in some reserve games, and I played and came on as sub (for the first team) early on in the season but didn't really ever get going," David says.

"Then I had another ankle injury a couple of months into the season as well, which put me back a few weeks, and since then I've been fit and ready to play if selected.

"Obviously I haven't, which has been frustrating to wait and wait, especially as there's been the opportunity for midfielders to play and I haven't been, so that's been disappointing, but now I've seen my chance here and I've just to take it game by game really."

Tuesday night was only his second game in six weeks so David knows full match fitness is still a few games away, and he admits, "I was feeling the pace a bit late on in the game, which is to be expected, but providing I do myself and Gaffer justice and keep playing then hopefully I'll be flying with a couple more games under my belt."

Watching from the sidelines for lengthy spells earlier in the season and for most of last month has proved frustrating for a young player keen to earn a new contract for next season, especially when John Taylor had to bring in loanee midfielders to cover for injuries.

"Any player just wants to be out there, whether your team's playing badly or well," David admits. "You just want to be a part of it so obviously it's been difficult for me. I've come on in a couple of games, up front or wide, and it's been frustrating because I haven't been able to show or make an influence. But hopefully my time's coming."

Unavailability of other strikers and the sale of Dave Kitson even saw him pressed into service as an emergency striker alongside Taylor at Hull last month, but although he entered the youth system as a striker he feels his best role is deeper.

"In days gone by up front was my preferred position, but in the last few years I've been a midfielder and that's where I see myself. I was converted there for the day and I'll play anywhere if need be, but I prefer midfield.

"I like the three in midfield at the moment because it allows me to get on from midfield," he adds, "so if someone's sitting there, like Tanny was on Tuesday, then it allows me to go on and play."

Taylor has also said about David that one of his strengths is the knack and ability to arrive late in the box to provide an added goal threat, as he did on Tuesday, and the player himself comments, "I feel that's the main part of my game.

"Admittedly I haven't been able to show it in the first team over the last year or so, but that's what I see myself becoming - one of those midfielders that will pop up and get a goal."

Six-footer David also adds a few inches to the height of the midfield, and he smiles as he says, "I'm not known for my defensive capabilities but I do feel that I do my job defensively, I put my tackles in and I win some headers so hopefully I do give the side a bit of strength in that respect."

Tuesday's match, in which United came from behind to lead and then were pegged back by a late goal, was a roller coaster to watch, but what was it like to actually play in?

"I really, really enjoyed myself," recalls Bridgo. "At the end of the game it felt like we'd lost; I felt that the game should have been finished off by then; we had chances to finish it off and if we'd got the third that would have been that.

"I don't think we were cavalier in any way trying to get the third but doing what we were doing seemed to be working and so to have the goal late on was very disappointing."

Asked if the U's are missing the ingredient of luck at the moment, he responds, "At times it seems some decisions go against you and it seems like bad luck, but I think that's the way it is when you're in the position we're in.

"We've got to put a positive spin on what happens on the pitch and what we're doing in training to try and change the way it's going for us."

Following consecutive defeats at Southend and Bury, and results elsewhere that saw United slide to 18th in the table, media speculation centred on the future of the manager, but David says the players are concentrating on each game in turn with the aim of taking maximum points.

"I don't think we feel any added pressure in any way. I think the way we're going at the moment with our form, we're just taking it game by game and making sure we're focussed on putting absolutely everything we've got into each game. We're just trying to get three points every time we step over that line.

"To be honest you do look over your shoulder and look at that end of the table now because that's first and foremost what we've got to avoid," he adds. "But we've got some good players in our side and we are good enough to do better than what we are."

In conclusion, David's own personal hopes for the rest of the season are understandably straightforward: "I just want to maintain my place in the side now that I've had two games and make sure I do myself justice, and maybe put in another goal or two as well!"

Hear, hear to that.

"The Quick Fire Round"

If you were on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and had to phone a friend, which team-mate would you choose?

Probably Franco, because he thinks he knows everything! But he speaks a couple of languages and loves his maths and that sort of thing.

Favourite holiday destination, and describe why in one word.

Crete. Banter.

If you weren't a footballer, what would your job be now?

I liked English and was interested in journalism as a school leaver, so probably something like that.

Who do you go to for financial advice?

Mum and Dad.

What will you be doing in ten years' time?

Hopefully still playing, or maybe hanging up my boots if I've made enough money.

Who is your best mate in the squad?

Obviously the lads that I've come through the youth team with, and I spend a lot of time with Freddie away from the ground, just chilling out.

David with Franco Nacca in training

Who has the best dress sense in the squad?

Warren Goodhind, because it's a little bit 'out there' and a bit different and I like that.

And who has the worst?

Brenners!

In a film of your life story who would you want to play you and why?

Seann William Scott (Stifler in American Pie). I think he's brilliant.

Porsche or Ferrari?

Ferrari.

Indian or Chinese?

Chinese.

Beer or lager?

Lager.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers.

If you were given tickets for a gig, who would you want to see and why?

A band from America called Five For Fighting. I've got a couple of their albums and love it.

Three words your team-mates might use to describe you?

Loves The Banter!

*A shorter version of this interview appeared in the programme for the match against Bristol Rovers on 21st February, 2004.

You can hear the full interview with Bridgo on our U's World multimedia website. Click here for details about U's World.

Previous Featured Players this season:
20Feb04: Fred Murray
13Feb04: Daniel Webb
02Feb04: Daniel Chillingworth
19Jan04: Shaun Marshall
04Jan04: Adam Tann
29Dec03: Gareth Williams
23Dec03: Franco Nacca
18Dec03: Shane Tudor
11Dec03: Andy Duncan
04Dec03: Stevland Angus
28Nov03: John Turner
21Nov03: Luke Guttridge
29Oct03:  Stuart Bimson
21Sep03: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03: Justin Walker

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