Q&A - Tom Youngs

Striker Tom Youngs has been with the Club since the age of ten, last season he was our top goalscorer, and this week he goes 'on the spot' to answer your questions in the latest Cambridge United club website Q&A.

Q. Where would you rather play up-front or on the wing? Who has been your favourite strike partner?
Robin

Tom: I prefer playing up-front because I feel that in that position I can offer the best of my abilities to the team. I think that I'm not bad with my back to goal, bringing other people into play, and providing a link between midfield and the final third, and when I'm up-front I have the opportunity to do this. I also think - although not so much in evidence this season! - that I'm not bad at getting into goalscoring positions, and hopefully taking a few chances when they come my way. This is easier when I'm up-front because I obviously have less defensive responsibility.

I never mind playing on the wing if need be, I got most of my goals last season from there, because I can arrive in the box late and be harder to pick up. However, especially with the way we were playing earlier in the season, my game is less suited to playing wide. There is more defending to do (never enjoyable!), and I'm not blessed with as much explosive pace as, say, Shane Tudor, who can easily bypass defenders on the outside and get crosses in from the byline.

My favourite strike partner since I've been at the club would be Martin Butler, as we complimented each other really well. He was always on the last defender, going in behind with his strength and pace and allowing me to drop deeper and get on the ball. We only had a handful of games together, but it always went pretty well.

Of our present crop of strikers, it's difficult to say who I favour, as I haven't played often with the same person, but in terms of complimenting each other, then Armand definitely has the potential to be a good partner for me. At Swindon and Bristol, he pushed onto the last defender, like Buts used to, and I dropped a bit deeper, and we caused a lot of problems.

I've also enjoyed playing with Kits (Dave Kitson, right)and Chilli though, both very good strikers.

Q. What has been your best and worst moment at the club?
Chloe from Ely

Tom: My best moment would definitely be when we qualified for the LDV final at Bristol last month. Although I've been involved in a promotion, two successful relegation battles, and a run in both the major cups (me and Marshy think that we should be about 35 considering the amount we've experienced in just four seasons!), I was always only on the fringes when the final outcome was actually decided, whether due to age (Promotion and cup runs) or injury (Relegation battles).

This time I finally played a full part in proceedings, and it was an unbelievable feeling going over to the fans at the final whistle. My worst period at the club was actually at the end of last season. Obviously there had been a change of management and, though I'd got back fit and started in a couple of games, I found myself on the bench and apparently not as needed at the club after initial meetings with the new management team. After such a great start to what was really my first full season in League football, it was a really upsetting time.

Q: If you could chose which club to move to, based on the type of football most suited to your skills, who would it be? Why do you think you would fit in there?
Terry Wilby from Melbourn, Cambs

Tom: I think at the moment, much as I hate to say it as a die-hard Tottenham fan, that Arsenal would be the best side to play for. Their passing and movement is amazing, and seeings that Dennis Bergkamp is getting on a bit, and Kanu always going off to play for Nigeria, a little niche playing behind Henry wouldn't be bad!

As I said earlier, the best foil for me is a bigger, stronger and quicker striker who plays on the shoulder of the last defender, and you can't get better for that than Henry at the moment, although Van Nistelrooy might argue I suppose! But purely because Arsenal seem to always play through the middle, and still carve through teams at will, they would be the best team for a deep lying centre-forward to play.

Q: Have your French language skills improved with Lionel and Armand at the club? Can you translate what Lionel said when he slipped for the first goal by Blackpool!
Terry Wilby from Melbourn, Cambs

Tom: I'm sure that your imagination stretches far enough to encompass Lionel's thoughts after that particular goal, irrespective of what he actually said!

No, my French is definitely on a back burner now. I've forgotten most of it seeings as it has been five years since I finished my studies.

I've said a few things to Armand in French, when he's looked completely blank and bemused at me, but it was a struggle.

Anyway, it's hard enough getting him to speak good English with Lionel there to bail him out if needed, let alone if the English players speak to him in French!

Q: I seem to remember that you stayed on at school to do your 'A' levels before signing pro. What was the thinking behind that?
Dan from Swaffham

Tom: There were two contributing factors to the decision really. Firstly, I have an August birthday, so when I left school the Cambridge players my age still had a year left before they could leave to become an apprentice. Secondly, I was good at school, and wanted to get qualifications to fall back on. So I'm glad that the decision to start A-levels was really made for me, due to my birthday.

The plan was then to finish my two-year course, take up a one-year apprenticeship, and prove myself worthy of a professional contract. Thankfully, Roy McFarland saw me play for the youth team in his first week as manager, liked what he saw, and offered a full professional contract at the end of my studies.

You've been at the Club ages. How did you first sign on?
Jon from Ely

Tom: Ages indeed! I first signed on after attending a trial on Coldham's Common when I was just turned 10. There were about 40 boys, and the trial took the form of two 10-a-side games playing side by side, with a couple of coaches wandering around trying to spot a bit of magic. It was a bit of a lottery to be honest, but I must have done something good that was spotted. I then signed Centre of Excellence forms a few weeks later. Thankfully our youth development system is a lot more sophisticated these days!

Q: Who is your best friend in football?
David, Cambridge

Tom: That would be Shaun Marshall. We played in the same youth team, and had both been around at the club for a long time before that as well. We've shared lifts in to the ground for the past three years, and I room with him on away trips. We're the only two from our youth team left now - since Trev left - so we have to stick together!

Q: Have you got any footballing superstitions?
Anne Williams, London

Tom: No.

Q: Tom, with the diet and weight regime, you were one of the players that has changed their physique most visibly. How did the change affected your strength and stamina?
Vanessa from Rampton

Tom: Like you say, I was probably the player most obviously affected by the training regime under John Beck and Shane Westley. When they assured me that I was part of their plans in the summer, they talked about me getting stronger and I fully went along with that opinion.

As I said above, last season was really my first full season in League football, and one of the many things I learned was that if I didn't become stronger I was going to be black and blue all season long, and pick up too many injuries. The only problem with the ensuing training routine was that - for everyone, not just me - it was far too intense, with too little rest. Therefore the body did not have the chance to adapt to its constantly developing state, and more often than not, broke down.

This is evident by the amount of injuries we had pre-season. I had quite a bad stomach injury that ruled me out for a month, and I missed a lot of fitness training and all the pre-season games. When I subsequently came back into the team, I was always playing catch-up in terms of match fitness and my body was still struggling to handle the amount of upper body muscle I had put on. I sometimes felt good, but just as often felt sluggish and heavy-legged.

This probably had more effect on my sharpness than my stamina, as I could still get through games, but could not be as effective at the important moments. I do feel stronger now, but only recently have I started to feel the sharpness coming back.

Q: What is the best goal you have scored for Cambridge United?
Adam Thrussell, Isle of Man

Tom: That would have to be the one at Scunthorpe two seasons ago, when my half-volley managed to get stuck in the stanchion. I must admit it hasn't had much competition though, the rest are all ten-yard tap-ins!

Q: How would you feel about playing in Division Three if, as seems likely, we are relegated, and do you think we would be able to come straight back up again?
James Drewery, on holiday in Canada!

Tom: Well I, for one, am certainly not going to give up this relegation fight until it is mathematically impossible, because I've played in Division Three before, unlike most of the younger lads, and know what a struggle it is! Obviously, if we did get relegated, and had to play in Division Three, then we would have to learn quickly, especially in away games, that the ball is going to be in the air a lot more, and that it will be a physical battle for longer periods of each game.

However, the sides who get out are invariably the ones who, although they can mix it when needed, play good football when they have earned the right to. That is what we did three years ago and we have footballers at the club good enough to do it again.

Q: Who were your football heroes when you were growing up?
Mark, near Cambridge

Tom: I am a Spurs fan, so my heroes were people like Clive Allen, Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle, Paul Stewart and Paul Gascoigne. My main idol, though, was Gary Lineker. Just one of the best goalscorers of all time, scored everywhere he played, and at every level. I was so pleased to be able to go and watch him so often when he moved to Spurs.

Q: Was it frustrating being ill and injured again in the middle of the season, especially when John Taylor took over, and are you fully fit now? Good luck and bang in some goals for us!
Andy, Newmarket

Tom: It was very, very frustrating. After learning and experiencing so much last season by playing regularly for the first time, I wanted to come back this season and show that I had taken all that on board and am now a better player.

For a variety of reasons, I hadn't had the chance to show people this over the early months of the season, so when Gaffer took over in November I saw it as a fresh start, and could not wait to get going again. Unfortunately, after just three games (in two of which we were reduced to ten men by 30 mins), I got ill, and, apart from an ill-advised appearance against Peterborough, I couldn't play again for about a month.

Obviously I was really happy to be back against Wycombe, and did quite well, but then I got injured against Bristol City and disrupted my season again. Now I'm fighting fit although, like everybody, the heavy schedule of games is taking its toll at the moment with a few niggles. However, I just want to try and keep playing as well as possible to the end of the season and try to get back into a more consistent rhythm again, like 18 months ago.

Q: How do you relax away from football?
U's Fan, Sweden

Tom: I listen to a lot of music, and me and my girlfriend watch a lot of films. I also play the keyboard a bit, and play Championship Manager on my computer. I like to see how much I can flog myself for, which helps give me boost every so often if someone big signs for a few million!

The next Q&A is your chance to ask any questions about the forthcoming LDV Vans Trophy Final. Send your questions before 9am Friday 8th March and they will be posed to the member of staff most qualified to answer. Please include your name, town and include 'Q&A' in the subject field.

Is there someone you'd like to put on the spot in a future Q&A? Nominate them by writing to web@cambridge-united.co.uk

Previous Q&As:
03Mar02  - John Taylor
17Feb02  - Gary Harwood - Chairman
10Feb02  - Richard Summerfield - Finance Director
03Feb02  - Lionel Perez
27Jan02  - Stuart Ayles - First Team Physio
20Jan02  - Paul Wanless
13Jan02  - Dale Brooks - New Assistant Manager
06Jan02  - Mark Johnson - Match Programme
27Nov01 - John Taylor and Dale Brooks - The New Management Team
17Nov01 - Gary Harwood and Colin Davies - Redevelopment

*our increasingly busy message board is being revamped!*
*register now and discuss with fellow U's while earning valuable income for your club!*
*if you have any difficulties please e-mail web@cambridge-united.co.uk with details*

More U's News || U's SMS || Q&A || The Main Feature || Message Board || Abbeybet

You are respectfully reminded that any article, as with all content on this website (unless otherwise stated), is subject to copyright and the Official Cambridge United Website must be acknowledged as the original source.