David Bridges
Having become an England Non-League international since we spoke to him earlier this season, David Bridges falls under the 'Big Interview' spotlight for the second time.
Currently working with physio Greg Reid to rehabilitate from the shoulder injury he suffered in the win at Woking two weeks ago, David hopes to be back in action very soon.
"The MRI scans came back with good news so hopefully, although I think I'm still doubtful for this weekend, I should be back soon afterwards. I've done some running and striking a ball so hopefully it won't be long," he comments.
Last week's match against Grays was the first one he has missed this season through injury, and David admits he is thoroughly enjoying the chance to play so many games for the first time in his career.
"It's been brilliant because at the start of the season, after everything that's gone before, I wouldn't have expected that. It's good to get a decent run in the side and although the side has changed quite a lot throughout the season the Gaffer has shown faith in me.
"The game is all about opinions and his is the one that counts, so I'm happy that he's stuck with me. I've enjoyed scoring the goals too (eight so far this season) and I get a bit restless if I haven't scored for three or four games.
"I'm due a goal now so when I'm fit again I hope I can get it."
With the team short of available strikers last month, David was pushed up front into a position he has rarely filled since he was in the youth team and responded with United's only goal in the defeat at Altrincham.
"I enjoyed playing up front again," he says. "It's very difficult because of the way we've had to play recently, when we've had to grind things out a bit. It's very physical up there, whereas when I used to play up there I used to drop off and join the play up between midfield and attack.
"Recently we've been having to turn a side and chase the ball down in the corners, and that's not really what I do best up there, but I'm willing to do it if asked."
Adjusting to life in the Conference and learning to grind out results has been a learning process for many in the team, but David believes it is starting to bear fruit: "Although people might think some of the performances haven't been great, I think at the start of the season we would have lost some of the games we've got results out of recently.
"That shows that we're progressing and hopefully it will be good for next year."
An additional sign of United's progress is to go into today's game against second-placed Halifax on a three match unbeaten run, which Bridgo agrees is encouraging.
"Although we would have liked the win at Tamworth last weekend, Spearo (Tony Spearing) told the lads afterwards that a few weeks back we would have lost that game, but this time at the death we stood firm and got a point."
Asked if there is a recent turning point in the season, the away win at Woking is fresh in David's mind: "That away win was massive. Jamie Guy scored a great goal for us. I think when you've had a run as bad as we had away from home it needed something special like that to change it, so it was great for us as well as him.
"I think it lifted everyone and then we followed it up by not getting beaten in the next away game at Tamworth. I know people were probably hoping for us to go there and win but at least we stood firm and didn't lose the game.
"That might sound a bit negative," he adds, "but our away form has been poor so we have to look at it first by saying we're unbeaten in the last two away games and to stay confident."
Before the win at Woking there was increasing talk and speculation about the reasons for our poor away form, and David believes it had become a mental hang-up for the team.
"It was obviously psychological because it got to the point where we were playing well and we just couldn't get a result," he says. "When a side went one up against us we didn't have the belief that we could come back from it, whereas now I think we're made of stronger stuff."
David also feels that recent addition Matt Bloomer, on loan from Lincoln, has helped the team.
"He's looked really good. He came in at a time when 'Rhino' (Mark Peters) was suspended and although 'Morro' (Michael Morrison) could have just gone straight back into the side, it's given him a chance to have a rest after how well he's done for us all season, and it shows how well Matt has done as they haven't needed to put Rhino straight back in.
"Rhino's been fantastic for us all year so it shows how well Blooms has done."
On a personal basis, David's consistent form was rewarded with a call-up to the England National Game squad last month, which culminated with his international debut as a second half substitute.
"It came out of nowhere and it was a fantastic surprise," he says. "I wasn't selected in the initial squad but I got the late call to join the squad and ended up playing on the Wednesday night.
"It was very special to me that it was at the Abbey Stadium too. I don't think there has been any other Cambridge United player playing for England at the Abbey and I can't see it happening again, although it would be nice for the Abbey to host another game like that because it was a great night for the whole club.
"Hopefully the club's name is in the hat for another fixture in future, and personally it makes me want more of that, not just for myself but for people who have backed me.
"People like Gaffer and Spearo who have given me the chance this year, which is really appreciated by me and it reflects on them too because without their help I wouldn't have been in that situation. And also to the people close to me, like my family and my girlfriend, because it hasn't all been easy in the last few years so it was a great night for those reasons, too.
"Personally I feel I have one more target to get to," he adds, "which is to score ten goals, and I'm hoping to get back playing and scoring goals as soon as possible."
Rob Newman has mentioned that it would be ideal to end the campaign on an unbeaten run to establish a momentum to take the club into next season, and Bridgo thinks the team is increasingly well prepared to face that challenge.
"I don't see why we can't do that if we maintain the belief we have at the moment, as long as we build on that each game at a time. That's how Accrington have got to where they are; I'm sure they weren't playing beautiful football at the start of the season but as the belief grows you get to a point where you're expecting to win games and that's where we've got to aim for.
"Teams get into a winning habit and that starts by getting into a habit of not losing games. That's where we are at the moment and we need to get into that frame of mind, and then confidence builds from that."
At the moment, like the rest of the players, David has not received a contract offer for next season but hopes it won't be much longer.
"I'm hoping to have talks about that as soon as possible, because I'd like to stay and you don't want to be left out on a limb like a lot of players are each season, so we'll see. But I'm thoroughly enjoying this season."
We closed with a few random questions from supporters.
Q. Do you have any pre-match superstition or ritual?
A. Not these days. When I was growing up I used to shut myself off from the changing room and put my shirt over my head and just gather my own thoughts, but I don't do that any more.
Q. If you were in a house fire and you could only take three possessions out of the house with you, which three possessions would you choose?
A. My England shirt, my car keys, and probably my scrap book.
Q. Who is the best player you've played with, and against?
A. 'Against' would probably be Tore Andre Flo when we played Sunderland here that night. 'With' would probably be 'Kits (Dave Kitson), especially with the way things are going for him at the moment. We've stayed in touch and he's really enjoying life at the moment, understandably.
Q. Would you have a problem with taking a penalty if we were awarded one?
A. Not at all. I'm the only one to have taken one this season and I missed it, but it wouldn't bother me at all to step up again.
Q. What do you like to do when you're away from football?
A. I like playing golf, meeting up with old mates like football friends who are no longer here, and just generally socialising.
Q. What was the last CD or DVD that you bought?
A. I don't buy DVDs but the last CD was The Arctic Monkeys.
Q. When you stay in a hotel before an away game, who do you normally room with?
A. I haven't had a permanent 'roomy' this year. I've had four or five different ones this year but nobody twice... I don't know if that's a reflection on me or them, but I'm not aware that I smell!
Andrea Thrussell
*This interview was first published in the programme for the match against Halifax on 18th March, 2006.
Previous Featured Players:
20Apr06: Scott Howie
13Apr06: Craig Westcarr
22Mar06: Andy Duncan
15Mar06: David Bridges
01Feb06: David Chick
08Dec05: Michael Morrison
29Nov05: Ritchie Hanlon
25Oct05: Stephen Smith
05Oct05: Fola Onibuje
29Sep05: Mark Peters
Last season's Featured Players:
15May05: Your Players of the Year 2004/05
10May05: Tes Bramble
05May05: Tom Newey
30Apr05: Adam Tann
23Apr05: Iwan Roberts
10Apr05: Stuart Bimson
17Mar05: Matt Somner
09Mar05: Daniel Chillingworth
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
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