Cambridge United v Scunthorpe United

[SVH]

When the fixtures come out at the start of the season, this and the Bradford game looked our most difficult. Having got a point at Bradford, Draw with Newport and a win against Colchester this is one I now expect us to go and win. However football throws up the surprises when you least expect it.

Scunthope fans what has gone wrong last season and over the summer to see you continue your relegation form thus far? How many will you bring tomorrow night?

I'm going for a 2-0 win.

 

[AmberRich]

You'd think this would be a walk in the park but I agree, football certainly does throw up surprises.

2-1 Cambridge win.

 

[Arbury]

Think it will be close myself but it does sound like Scunthorpe are on a downward trend which hopefully we will take advantage of.

Wouldn’t surprise me to see a few changes, O’Neil, Jones and Jabo are the most likely candidates and I’d like to see knoyle back asap.

Scrappy 1-0 will do for me.


KTF

 

[AmberRich]

Think it will be close myself but it does sound like Scunthorpe are on a downward trend which hopefully we will take advantage of.

Wouldn’t surprise me to see a few changes, O’Neil, Jones and Jabo are the most likely candidates and I’d like to see knoyle back asap.

Scrappy 1-0 will do for me.


KTF

Knoyle won't be available for the next few weeks. Jones is doubtful, Ibehre is back though.

Calderwood was saying how some of the players looked a bit tired so I think there will be a couple of changes. O'Neil back in the starting 11 after his suspension and at least one of the strikers will be swapped.

 

[Vanni]

The thing with Knoyle's injury is that Davies is getting much needed game time, and that's the only way to determine whether he's good enough for league football. Personally, I think he's too lightweight to play at RB but I'll be happy to be proved wrong in time.

Don't get me started on Dunk; one of the poorest LBs I've watched in my time as a utd fan. But (most) fans see him as one of our own so he often gets off lightly. Having said that I won't get ahead of myself and say that Jones is the answer cos it's far too early for that.

Up top, I would go with Smith and Richards, with Dallas starting on the bench.

1-0 or 2-1 to the mighty U's.

 

[AmberRich]

Both Dunk and Davies I think are better further forward. If they are both playing then I'd prefer to use them as wing backs, or maybe even as wingers. Davies hasn't been a disaster this season, has a good delivery.

Dunk isn't the player he was when we returned to the football league, but he's still a useful squad player.

 

[SVH]

Dunk is good going forward but the problem being his legs have gone. He struggles to get up and down now. Saturday was the worst performance I've ever seen from him. He was clearly fatigued after the Brentford game.

Hopefully Jones will be fit to start tomorrow night. I would also swap Smith with Dallas but keep Richards in the starting 11 ahead of Jabo.

 

[Vanni]

I'm not saying Davies has been a disaster, far from it actually, and I agree that he sure can whip those crosses in. I only think he's not cut out for the RB position, but then again he's got age on his side and some players do improve after a run of games so who knows.

Not sure I agree on Dunk. He's poor at defending, and he's not as quick as he once was when attacking, and Dunk's biggest asset has always been his pace.

 

[SVH]

Dunk is a squad player and a good one as he's versatile but I wouldn't want him starting more than 15 games a season. I can't see him getting another contract once this season is over.

Davies has time on his side but he needs to man up and quickly. I want to see him be a bit more nasty and go in for tackles. He get's bullied and targeted too often which is no coincidence.

 

[Laker]

I actually think Davies has done a decent job since Knoyle’s injury. Full hear everyone’s concerns about him (I share them) but he’s done well.

Dunk is like a retired shepherd’s sheep dog - you should let him go but he’s part of the furniture now. He’s a decent squad player and fine off the bench when everyone else is fucked.

I can see tomorrow night being an awkward one. Not because Scunthorpe are good but because we’re still a work in progress. Expectation has grown now after the last two excellent result. We need to remember our pre-season caution and not pump the pressure on the team. I’d bloody love a win though.

 

[Arbury]

Davies has the time to develop but football is cruel game for some, theres attributes I like about him but his decision making at the moment isn’t the best, hopefully all will come over time.

As for dunk, he’s been on borrowed time for quite a while now and if I was in charge he wouldn’t get anywhere the first team, he’s just not good enough.

Interested in who calderwood is going to play out of O’Neil, Maris and Lewis, probably nice for him to have a extra option, as we’re at home I’d go with the Maris/Lewis combo.

KTF

 

[Bottega Don]

Our team are playing horrendously and we have so many injuries. We have one fit striker and couldn't even fill a bench on Saturday. I would be very surprised if we picked up anything. Here's hoping though

 

[AmberRich]

A number of changes tonight. Jones missing as expected, Ibehre isn't back yet either. Playing with 3 Centre Backs with Dunk and Davies on either side. O'Neil straight into the team after his suspension, Roles has also been thrown into the thick of it straight away.

Smith and Knibbs starting together at the top.

Our bench is looking very strong.

 

[Bottega Don]

Our team looks awful, McGahey still at RB for some reason. Not sure when our first win will come this season

 

[Bottega Don]

Well that was never a red card and it's completely fucked the game for us now

 

[AmberRich]

Scunthorpe are a very physical team, now they're in front they will sit back and I don't think the current youngsters are going to be able to break them down. McGahey's a big lump and looks like someone we could exploit, might have a better chance with a more experienced head like Marc Richards.

 

[Bottega Don]

Were leading but won't last due to the numbers advantage. Red card is so frustrating as this is such a winnable game as well

 

[Bottega Don]

How the hell did Perch get a red card but Dunk only got a yellow?

 

[Vanni]

I'll be honest - I'm not sure on Perch's red and I need to watch it back to make up my mind. But Dunk's yellow was the right call IMO, no way was it a red though you never know when Breakspear's the ref.

A fully deserved win over a determined Scunny side. They won't be down there much longer.

 

[AmberRich]

Well that was never a red card and it's completely fucked the game for us now

Here's a video of the Red.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1163898811611328512

 

[Vanni]

Cheers Rich. That's a clear red.

 

[AmberRich]

Hannant saved us tonight. Look at this clearance.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1163914104366649345

 

[Bottega Don]

Here's a video of the Red.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1163898811611328512

I saw it, was a foul arguably a booking. If that's a red then Dunks later in the game is absolutely a red. Went over the ball on Lund without even touching the ball.

 

[Bottega Don]

The fact were even close to a point here with ten men for so long is surprising. If we had 11 we'd of got something easily which is so frustrating.

Still not won since March. Nothing seems to be going our way at the moment though so not sure where that win will come from

 

[WilsdenBantam]

2 for McArdle, what a legend.

 

[Laker]

I saw it, was a foul arguably a booking. If that's a red then Dunks later in the game is absolutely a red. Went over the ball on Lund without even touching the ball.

I was about 30 yards from Dunk’s challenge and he didn’t actually put a tackle in, he just put his feet together and pulled out altogether. He certainly didn’t go “over the ball”. And that’s why Lund got up immediately to surround the ref.

We made bloody hard work of that tonight. Two dreadful goals to concede, I’m hoping that’s a bad night rather than anything more as it would have been criminal to throw away such a great opportunity.

What a great start to the season.

 

[SVH]

A very entertaining game last night and it would have been a travesty had we not come away with 3 points. First of all the red card was 100% correct. I'm surprised some Iron fans don't think it was a red card after seeing the replay. It was reckless, out of control and over the top of the ball. Potential leg breaker.

After the red card we lost our way a bit and Scunny were playing for set pieces and we simply did not defend them well enough. Calderwood prides himself on being a defensive coach so those goals will have frustrated him.

Calderwood has clearly recognised our weakness from last season and that's the lack of work rate from players such as Brown, Amoo and Maris. He's added runners to this team and boy has it made a huge difference. Hannant, Smith, Lewis, Knibbs and Roles all played their part last night and run their socks off. It's no coincidence we're going 1-0 down in games but coming back to win games. He's got us as fit as a team I've seen down the abbey and we are reaping the rewards with a never say die attitude.

Unbeaten start to the season and our best start since our promotion season.

Oldham at home Saturday which should be another 3 points.

 

[Arbury]

Very entertaining game last night albeit with a very card happy ref, for me it’s a red card, feet are high and it’s over the ball, can’t see it being overturned if Scunthorpe appeal, some of the yellow cards were a joke though, hardly any contact on some of the challenges.

We were very youthful last night and it told in spells but overall I was very pleased with what I saw, the work rate was awesome.

Have to disagree with Lewis being man of the match, yes he played well offensively but it’s criminal losing your man in two set pieces and conceding both times, I’d have given it to Taft personally.

Also thought our crosses were excellent at times especially Davies, Hannant also played very well when he come on and gave that chunk of a rb a torrid time.

Up the u’s

KTF

 

[SVH]

I think Knibbs was picking up the CB for the first goal?

 

[Arbury]

If it was Knibbs then I think it’s a bit naive to give that responsibility to a young lad making his first professional start against such a seasoned professional like mcardle.

Thought calderwood said in his interview after the game that Lewis apologised for losing him? May have misheard that though.


KTF

 

[Hedonist Puncture]

We were poor and the better side won. Definite red card for Perch, who was coming off a 3 match suspension. He's reckless and it showed again. After the red card, Hurst substituted Hammill (again) , our only creative player. We scored from set pieces and nearly got a late equalizer, but if Hammill had stayed on we would have been better.