Daniel Chillingworth

Restored to the side after a month on loan at Leyton Orient, striker Dan Chillingworth struck two goals at Northampton to put United within eight minutes of a priceless away win.

"I was pleased to get my first goals since I rejoined again from Leyton Orient," he says. "They weren't the best two goals I've ever scored in my life but they were quite important ones and it was just a shame we didn't go on to win the game.

"I've watched the first one again on the video and I was being tugged and the lad actually caught me before it went in, too, so if it hadn't gone in I think we would have been disappointed not to get a penalty. But persistence paid off there. I tried to square it back to Martin Carruthers but fortunately it got a deflection off the bloke and went in, so I'm claiming that one!

"I know I've got a few critics among the fans," he adds, "but I know I've got people on my side too so I've got to continue to play well and try to work hard and hopefully I can win the other ones over."

In United's previous away game, at Yeovil, we were within three minutes of taking a point from the leaders but it was snatched away by a penalty three minutes from time. 'Chilli' admits those disappointments are hard to deal with, but sees positives too.

"It's hard, but as a group of lads we know we're getting in these positions to win or draw and it's only our fault that we're not. Since the new manager's come in he has instilled a belief in us and we're playing better stuff and creating more chances and working hard, but it's not easy to pick yourselves up when you're so close to getting that elusive three points.

"But I think it will definitely come because we are playing better and we do believe in ourselves a lot more."

Ending last season with four goals in the last six games under Herve Renard, this season has not gone the way the 23-year-old Somersham lad anticipated.

"I was hoping to continue where I left off, but that didn't really happen and things went a bit wrong for me at the start of the season," he admits. "I don't really know why that was, but that's why I needed to get out on loan and make a fresh start. The team was struggling to create chances and the forwards weren't getting many chances, and maybe I did lose my form a bit.

"I spoke to Herve and he made me feel that I wouldn't be playing much, and I'm a young lad and like any other footballer I just wanted to play. Going to Orient meant I had a point to prove, I knew the manager there wanted me and that's good for your confidence, and maybe I put my foot back on the pedal.

"I've come back from there having lost a little bit of weight and I feel a bit sharper, so hopefully that will stand me in good stead for the rest of the season.

"After speaking to the Gaffer here I knew his thoughts about me, and it was nice to get a couple of goals on Friday to repay the faith he's shown in me. Hopefully now I can go on and score a few more, and maybe things will pick up and we can win some games."

It was reported that Chilli was reluctant to return to Cambridge as his month at Leyton Orient drew to a close, and he confesses, "To be honest, that was the case.

"I've been here a long time and my contract's up at the end of the season, there was an offer from Orient of an 18-month contract and - it's the same in any line of work - if you're offered that extra bit of security then sometimes you've got to take it.

"The club had basically said that I could leave, then a new manager came in and wanted me back so they went back on their word really, but that's in the past now and I'm getting on with it. I think I'm a genuine lad and I said to the manager that if I came back I would give my all and try my hardest, and I think that's what I have done."

Steve Thompson spoke highly of Chilli before and after his return, and he thinks that has also boosted his confidence.

"Obviously it's a good feeling as a player to know you're wanted. He had a good chat with me and said he thought I could do a job for him, so it's good for your confidence to hear that.

"He speaks to every player every day," he adds, "and he says what he thinks can improve you, and we haven't really had that over the last couple of seasons; mostly we've had to get on with it ourselves.

"He's brought in Martin Carruthers and I can probably learn quite a bit from him. He's been there and done it, he's scored goals at this level, so it's the first time I've really had someone that I could learn from.

"In the past it's always been someone like Kits (Dave Kitson), Jamma (Jermaine Easter), Turns, Webby, all young lads, so to have someone there with a bit of know-how does help.

"The first game we played together was against Kidderminster and for the first 25 minutes we were on fire with some good link-up play. He knows he could have scored one himself and if we'd gone 2-0 up it could have been a different game, then against Northampton as well, obviously I got the two goals but he worked hard and could easily have had one himself, so the signs are promising.

"He works hard, as I'd like to think I do too, and I'm sure there will be more to come from that partnership."

Asked about the changes he has noticed since returning to play under a new manager, Chilli says, "I think the major change is at training. There's no bickering any more and training now seems a lot more enjoyable. Not that people weren't getting on before, but there's a good camaraderie between the lads so the signs are good.

"We're running out of games but there are 15 games and a lot of points to be played for, and we can get out of it.

"The manager has instilled a bit of confidence in us and we've got a bit more direction in the way we play, and I think that's starting to show. Now we need to learn how to shut up shop and when we get into positions to win we need to know how to keep hold of a lead. But I'm sure that will come."

On Monday (7th February) it was announced that Gary Harwood had stood down as Chairman and Roger Hunt had taken over, and the news in recent weeks has been dominated by finances, but Dan reveals that the players try to concentrate on the football:

"The players haven't really spoken about the new chairman much. Obviously there's talk about the club needing this much money to survive until the end of February, but the lads have just to make sure that we maintain our status in the League really and then hopefully the finances will sort themselves out."

Looking ahead to today's match against high-flying Macclesfield, Chilli admits to feeling hopeful: "I hope I'm not going to put the mockers on us here, but I've been saying to the lads I think we're going to win.

"In the last few seasons we've had a good record against Macclesfield and I think confidence is quite high even though we've not got that win yet, but I think if the fans can get behind us it won't be too long coming. The fans at Northampton were absolutely brilliant and I'm sure that would help us and drive us on."

Whilst he also believes that United can stay up this season, he knows it is time for words to be backed up by actions: "All the lads believe that we can get out of it. Obviously we've got to play Shrewsbury and Rushden and they are must-win games, and if we can beat them and nick a few away points and win our home games then I'm sure we'll be fine, but it's time for the talking to stop and the performances to start.

"If one team can go on a run and win three or four on the bounce then they can pull clear."

As for his own future? "I honestly don't know. I did have an offer from Orient but I don't know if that offer will still stand at the end of the season, so it's just down to me really. If I can do well for Cambridge then hopefully they'll offer me something here, and if not and if I do well then hopefully there will be other teams who are interested in me.

"But I'm not really thinking about the future at the moment, it's more about the present."

Andrea Thrussell

In The Hot Seat

Chilli answers some questions from supporters:

Dean asks:
Chilli, you've had an up and down season so far, but what's been your highlight?

Probably scoring the two goals at Northampton on Friday. It's always a good feeling to score goals and it was nice to do it in front of our fans as well. It's just a shame that we didn't go on to win.

Mick asks:
Who's been the best striking partner in your career, including your spells on loan at other clubs?

That's a tough one. I'd have to give Kits a mention because he's a really good player. We didn't really have that many games together, because I was injured or he was injured or I wasn't being picked, but Kits would be up there because when I played with him I thought we got on quite well.

Another one would be John Taylor in the few games I played with him. He was an experienced head and he would talk you through things and still had a lot of ability.

So probably John Taylor or Kits.

Imp asks:
Chilli, how have things changed at the club since the arrival of Steve Thompson?

As I've said, we've got a bit more direction about us. Training has definitely got better and the lads seem a lot closer and everyone is getting on a lot better. Not that people weren't getting on before, but everyone seems more in a team - we're all in it together and pushing in the same direction.

Grant Caveney says:
Chilli, first of all, congratulations for Friday, you were my 'man of the match'. How do you think the partnership with Martin Carruthers will go and do you think that, between you, you can score the goals to keep the club in the Football League?

I'd like to think so! It's early days in that partnership but he's the sort of the player who will run his socks off, he's quite good in the air and you can play off him, and obviously he's got an eye for goal, so if I can work around him and get on the end of his flicks and we can set each other up then I don't see why we can't get the goals.

Spriggsy has some observations:
First of all, congratulations on the goals at Northampton, but I'd like to see you get into the box more often. You often seem to come deep and lay the ball off, and you need to be more incisive generally in front of goal. A good example was when you were through against Kidderminster and you unselfishly laid the ball off, when I'd like to see you shoot.

That's quite a valid point. After the Kidderminster game I had a chat with my Dad, and he's probably my biggest critic, and he said it seemed like there were five or six chances and none of them fell to me, and he asked why that was. I spoke to the Gaffer and to Martin Carruthers and asked for their opinions, and the Gaffer thinks I do get in the positions and I just had to keep gambling and the ball would find me eventually.

That one where I should have shot against Kidderminster? That's one of those where if I had played that ball and Gandhi (Martin Carruthers) stuck it in the net then everyone would have said "what a ball", but because he didn't then Spriggsy is probably right and I should have shot. I'd like to think I am quite an unselfish player but the Gaffer has told me as well to never turn shots down, to keep shooting, because I'm paid to score goals and if you don't shoot you won't score. So yes, that's a valid point.

Some general questions from the message board at cambridgeunited.com:

If you stay in a hotel before an away game, who do you normally room with?

Tanny.

Who's the best player that you've played with, and against?

The best player I've played against, on reputation, would be Ian Wright when we played Burnley. And 'with' would be Paul Merson when I was on trial with Walsall earlier in the season. I trained with him and he still had unbelievable skill.

Do you mind being recognised when you're out, and talking to fans?

No. I obviously don't want to hear any abuse and things like that, but when you go out after a game - win, lose or draw - you know they're the people who have paid money to come and watch so it's always nice to get their opinions and speak to them.

What are your ambitions after football?

I'm not sure really. I'd probably like to get into house developing and buying and selling houses, and maybe buying a bit of land and building a house and making a profit that way. Maybe a bit of coaching on the side, too.

What was the last CD or DVD you bought?

The last CD was Eminem, Encore.

Do you agree with penalty shoot-outs, or if not what would you have in its place?

I'm a traditionalist and I think they should just stick with that. Obviously when you lose you don't like it, but it's the same for both teams and you've both got an equal chance.

Which website do you visit most often?

I have a little online betting account and Webby, who lives with me, always batters me for going on that, so probably that or eBay.

Which TV show did you never miss as a kid?

I didn't really watch much telly but I loved Match of the Day.

And which one would you never miss now?

Only Fools and Horses when it's on.

Favourite item of clothing?

I got some Timberland boots for Christmas and I've been wearing them a lot.

Any superstitions or rituals before a game?

I didn't used to, but for the last few months I've been wearing a pair of shin-pads. One is black and one is white, and I tend to wear the white one on my right leg and the black one on my left.

The best goal you've ever scored?

Probably an overhead kick when I was about 11. I think it was in the final of a cup. But if I'm talking proper goals then it's still that one against Brentford on Boxing Day (2001).

What type of music do you listen to?

A bit of everything really. I like R&B, garage, but it depends what mood I'm in.

Can you cook?

Yes. My Mum's Italian so I can cook some decent pasta dishes and a risotto.

Are you any good at the computer game Championship Manager/Football Manager?

Not bad. I've just got the new one and I'm managing Cambridge in that and we're second at the moment, and I've scored about 13 goals in 15 games.

*A shorter version of this interview appeared in the programme for the match against Macclesfield on 12th February, 2005.

You can hear exclusive interviews with the players and management on our U's World multimedia website, which also offers video match highlights and live match commentary on U's matches. Click here for details.

Previous Featured Players:
24Feb05: Dan Gleeson
17Feb05: Shane Tudor
14Feb05: Richard Hodgson
07Feb05: Warren Goodhind
22Dec04: Darren Quinton
06Dec04: Andy Duncan
24Nov04: John Ruddy
22Oct04: Kingsley Mbome
13Oct04: Jermaine Easter
17Sep04: Justin Walker
09Sep04: John Turner
26Aug04: Luke Guttridge

Last season's Featured Players:
21May04: Your Players of the Year 2003/04
14May04: Ryan Lockett & Stephen Smith
06May04: Matt Robinson
21Apr04: Dan Gleeson
07Apr04: Jermaine Easter
31Mar04: Ashley Nicholls
12Mar04: Alex Revell
04Mar04: David Bridges
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
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21Sep03: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03: Justin Walker

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