Late equaliser specialists v Leaving it late to survive (Cambridge v Tranmere)

[Laker]

Scratching around for a thread title of any note so apologies for the Shit Fred Title.

Cambridge's last two games have resulted in equalisers in the 95th minute of each game. I do hope it's not going to be like this for the rest if the season as I may have a coronary...... We've been struggling since playing Man U - in fact we haven't won at home since before our FA Cup against them.

Tranmere are on even rougher run as a solitary victory over Shrewsbury (an impressive result on it's own but not in the context of Rovers' season) being the only points gained home or away since January. Tranmere are leaving it very late to save themselves if they happen to manage it.

We still have a few lingering relegation worries but a win on Tuesday should kill that off. Despite the shite we've been serving up, I feel a win is on the cards finally. But we won't make it easy for ourselves. 1-0 U's.

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

Home win. Next.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Avoid defeat and I think that's job done, definitely if we win, but we said that before York and look how that turned out. We've very nearly lost 3 in a row (although we've got exactly what we deserved in the end), so we're not exactly playing brilliantly ourselves, and based on Money's comments after the game Saturday I can see him playing Simpson in midfield, and we'll undoubtedly waste a spot on Donaldson again.

We have a habit of providing generous results to teams who need a bit of a kick start so I wouldn't rule yourselves out at all Tranmere.

1-1, it won't be pretty, but no last minute drama this time.

 

[1884 Belmont]

6th time lucky? ...

 

[Laker]

Avoid defeat and I think that's job done, definitely if we win, but we said that before York and look how that turned out. We've very nearly lost 3 in a row (although we've got exactly what we deserved in the end), so we're not exactly playing brilliantly ourselves, and based on Money's comments after the game Saturday I can see him playing Simpson in midfield, and we'll undoubtedly waste a spot on Donaldson again.

We have a habit of providing generous results to teams who need a bit of a kick start so I wouldn't rule yourselves out at all Tranmere.

1-1, it won't be pretty, but no last minute drama this time.

Yes a win will see us safe - the way it's going, 46 points with our goal difference would probably be sufficient. A draw would put us close but I think we'd probably need another win to get safe.

I really like Robbie Simpson and I always think it's a shame when he doesn't play, regardless of whether it's in midfield or up top. He brings a certain "know how" to us which we were always going to be lacking in our first season back in the league. I quite liked him alongside Champion earlier in the season but can also see the merits of him playing up top alongside either Slew or Margetts.

Donaldson is a frustrating player as he's clearly got ability but is frustratingly out of form. Then again, you could say the same for Kaikai.

I was impressed with Harrison Dunk at left back against Stevenage on Saturday and would be keen for that to happen again if only to shake Taylor up a little. I thought the free-kick Stevenage scored from was never a foul and he otherwise had an excellent game - he actually felt compelled to tackle the winger attacking him!

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

According to our forum, Micky's going to either resign today or be sacked if we lose on tuesday. God, it's depressing reading the Cowsheds nowadays though...

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Yes a win will see us safe - the way it's going, 46 points with our goal difference would probably be sufficient. A draw would put us close but I think we'd probably need another win to get safe.

I really like Robbie Simpson and I always think it's a shame when he doesn't play, regardless of whether it's in midfield or up top. He brings a certain "know how" to us which we were always going to be lacking in our first season back in the league. I quite liked him alongside Champion earlier in the season but can also see the merits of him playing up top alongside either Slew or Margetts.

Donaldson is a frustrating player as he's clearly got ability but is frustratingly out of form. Then again, you could say the same for Kaikai.

I was impressed with Harrison Dunk at left back against Stevenage on Saturday and would be keen for that to happen again if only to shake Taylor up a little. I thought the free-kick Stevenage scored from was never a foul and he otherwise had an excellent game - he actually felt compelled to tackle the winger attacking him!

I mean job done in an assumption that we won't lose 8 or 9 games in a row rather than it being a mathematical certainty, but not far off either way I don't think.

Simpson by and large hasn't done it for me in central midfield, he was excellent at Burton there and has had a couple of other reasonable performances, which for a player of his quality you'd expect to happen occasionally when he plays in a position that much (see: Donaldson on the left), but I think even if people want to argue with that bit, they absolutely can't argue that he has been considerably better up top. What Money said post-game about him worried me, hopefully he gets a run up front and can bag another 5 or 6 goals and put the argument to bed.

If we'd rested Donaldson for the Dagenham game we wouldn't be having that discussion now, or for the last 6 weeks, called it at the time (same with Champion), and think it has really cost us. I think Kaikai is just naturally that sort of player, excellent when he can sprint past his man but doesn't really offer anything else if that gets sussed, but I think it's difficult to get in that rhythm when you keep getting dropped and moved around. For the record I thought for the first 20 minutes Saturday, with NML and Kaikai out wide and Donaldson behind Slew, we looked the more dangerous going forward than in a long time, the goal changed Stevenage's approach though and stifled us a bit.

Totally agree about Dunk, he'd only done it a couple of times before but he always looked out of his depth at LB in the Conference, but he was excellent there on Saturday, played it perfectly and very unfairly done for the free kick which led to the goal, hope to see him there again tomorrow.

 

[Arbury]

I have absolutely no confidence in us winning this game, that's not to say it won't happen but I'm struggling to see it. Money seems to persist with certain players, champion just isn't good enough, Hughes is struggling especially when played in the centre of the park and not starting Simpson is criminal.

We must stop just lumping it long, we've got to give the forwards(mainly slew) a chance, hopefully a little bit of football will be played.

Come on you u's.


KTF.

 

[1884 Belmont]

According to our forum, Micky's going to either resign today or be sacked if we lose on tuesday. God, it's depressing reading the Cowsheds nowadays though...

It is my friend, it is indeed...

 

[localhero]

The fact that Cambridge have scored a few last minute equalisers recently does not bode well for our leaky defence considering how many points we've thrown away towards the end of games.

No doubt Adams will be picking the names of our starting lineup out of hat again, who knows, maybe we'll strike it lucky and Lairds name will come out before Jennings and Power and our best striker might get a chance up front rather than on the wing.

2-0 home win.

 

[Vanni]

A Tuesday night game at The Abbey means only one thing. Away side to win or draw.

 

[Boz]

I think we've got slightly more chance of taking something out of our home game with Burton than the trip to the Abbey, but still expecting to lose both.

 

[4froale]

not that I mind seeing the trannies struggle but WTF is going on?

 

[1884 Belmont]

not that I mind seeing the trannies struggle but WTF is going on?

Pass. Oh yes, we can't.
No, in all seriousness I don't think anyone here can quite believe just how bad it has been. 2 managers, 45+ players, numerous loans, dressing room unrest, 5 defeats in a row on 2 occasions (including the current run, which odds are will reach 6 tonight). It is utter madness.
I miss Oldham. There, I said it. That's how bad it is.

 

[4froale]

Pass. Oh yes, we can't.
No, in all seriousness I don't think anyone here can quite believe just how bad it has been. 2 managers, 45+ players, numerous loans, dressing room unrest, 5 defeats in a row on 2 occasions (including the current run, which odds are will reach 6 tonight). It is utter madness.
I miss Oldham. There, I said it. That's how bad it is.

I wish I could say the feeling was mutual seriously though it just goes to show that relegation doesn't necessarily mean you will come back stronger (contrary to what a lot of our fans believe).

 

[1884 Belmont]

I wish I could say the feeling was mutual seriously though it just goes to show that relegation doesn't necessarily mean you will come back stronger (contrary to what a lot of our fans believe).

The really, really depressing part of it is there are allegedly rather big plans in places for next season and beyond, but all of that relies on us being able to be the 3rd worst team in the country or better. To see all that could be and then see the relatively modest expectations for that to occur, and then seemingly fail, is pretty soul destroying to be honest.

 

[Dickie Davies eyes]

Home banker, couldn't be anything else could it?

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Cambridge 1-2 Exeter
Cambridge 1-2 Cheltenham
Cambridge 1-1 Dagenham
Cambridge 0-0 Wimbledon
Cambridge 0-3 York

All our Tuesday night home games this season. Only 1 win in our last 9 home league games. Don't bank on it.

 

[Laker]

Playing fucking shit again. 1 down and don't look like scoring. If we lose we're in this.

 

[huddsmoose]

Absolute Michael gash. We're drifting towards the end of the season without seemingly realising we don't have enough points for safety yet.

 

[Vanni]

And who do you think scored Hartlepool's goal?

 

[Dickie Davies eyes]

Waaaaaahaaaaaaay

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

Knew I picked the wrong one to go to this week

 

[1884 Belmont]

Erm, WTF. We won!!! Didn't think we'd hold on with 10 men for 6 minutes added on, but credit to the lads they did. Made up, crucial result given the other scores.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Told you.

 

[Arbury]

Firstly, congratulations tranmere, a fully deserved 3pts.

As for us, well it was quite frankly shocking, it has been for a while now, there was very little football being played, just hoofball by us, it's just so draining to watch and frustrating, I know there is a good team in there somewhere but for whatever reason( players struggling with the step up, dickie and his ego?) it's just not happening, I don't think it's the players not trying but the football that's being dished up is truly abysmal.

Seems like those texts I got the other week weren't so foolish after all!!!

Rumours are dickie has gone(according to one fan on our forum he told him as much) whether that's just heat of the moment remains to be seen, personally I hope he doesn't leave a sinking ship and tries his upmost to turn it around, it wouldn't surprise though, he wouldn't want a relegation on his cv.

I was going to Southend at the wkend but think I'll give it a miss now.


KTF my fellow u's, Christ we need it.

 

[Laker]

I am keeping the faith. I actually think we'll pick up points in our next two (Southend and Hartlepool away). We only need about another 4-5 points to put ourselves out of reach. We're good enough to get those.

I wouldn't take much notice of what Vessey says, he loves stirring. Dickie will be with us for the remainder of the season and he'll keep us up.

 

[Vanni]

Did anyone actually hear what Vessey said to Money and what was the alleged response? If no one did, then I'll remain sceptical. He simply wants Money gone although he's always denying it.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

I don't doubt Vess, I've known him pretty well for a decade and don't think he'd make up that for the sake of it, he's had the same concerns and views about Money since the second half of last year like I have and he's certainly not afraid to say it to his face. He only said "Embarrassing" which I can believe, and I can also believe that Money with his short temper would say something rash like that and storm off, probably realising by about 10.30 that it was a mistake and he didn't really mean it, hence why he's still here.

And again I disagree that he necessarily wants Money gone, same as me, we can both see what his strengths are and that if he worked on his deficiencies then he could take this club very far, and having got us out of the Conference me, him, everyone, would hate for it to end on a sour note, what we all want is for him to succeed with us and go out on a high at some point in the future. There comes a breaking point, of course though, but no-one is screaming Money out yet, people are doubting whether he is the man to take us forward, and I've said I wouldn't lose any sleep if he left now or at the end of the season, but it's not demanding him to go now. You can be unhappy with a manager but still want him there and still want him to succeed.

 

[Vanni]

Have no doubt at all that Vessey is not afraid to say something to his face, and that's what I'm unsure of. He goes to every United match, just like you do Tom, and he's a passionate and a fervent U, so it could be that he said something more than 'embarrassing'.

Re. whether he wants Money gone or not, whilst you made a couple of good points, his postings on our forum give me the impression he wants him to leave. You don't think so, fair enough. Don't get me wrong, he's perfectly entitled to his opinion if he really wants DD to go, and he's certainly not the only one.