The CUFC Derby (Carlisle v Cambridge)

[cufc17]

It's the big one, the CUFC derby is almost upon us. The U's won both games last season with an aggregate of 6-0.

After a great win/performance against Chesterfield in the cup last night, I'm fairly optimistic heading into this game. Cambridge were defeated 1-0 away to Rotherham, though resting some key players in the process.

In the league, however, Cambridge began the campaign with a solid 3-0 victory at home to Newport, whilst we secured a satisfactory point away to Mansfield.

Although I think we're well capable of getting the 3pts at the weekend, I reckon Cambridge will be tough opponents who will have a successful season.

I'm expecting a good crowd following our efforts in the League Cup, and the fact it's our first home league game.

I'll predict a 2-1 win, Ibehre and Hery.

Also, enjoy your trip to Cumbria Habbinalan, though I hope you aren't celebrating come 5pm on Saturday

 

[huddsmoose]

You're right that several of our key players were spared the full 90 minutes last night; Dickie Dosh said he was glad it didn't go to extra time as he wanted people fresh for Carlisle.

I think it'll be a tight game as we look very strong defensively and it's the Dosh way to worry about a clean sheet first and goals second. I'll be interested to see who gets picked in goal - I suspect he sees Dunn as number 1 but Beasant has been a pleasant surprise in that he's looked very capable and I expected him to only be used as a last resort.

We have away games coming up against Carlisle, Wombles and Barnet and I think if we're to be serious challengers this year we should probably expect to avoid defeat in all three games. I'd take two draws and a win.

1-1 on Saturday

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I think this is a massive game that may pick the course of our season.

we play well and look ok, that frustration which built in fan base during summer dies down abit, people become patent and will allow time for the team to gel and push on.

we play awful and the fan base will turn extremely quickly, pressure on team at first showing to fan base and pressure on before September and we all go 'here we go again' and the cycle begins for the 4th season.

but we looked better playing 3-5-2 towards end of season, have prepared for it this, added some flair and a forward who should get 20+ goals so is positives............we'll see after sat.

 

[Laker]

I don't think we'll win but we might sneak a draw. Carlisle seem to have turned the corner a little after last season's nightmare and have started this season well. We're good but not firing on all cylinders yet.

I'll go for 0-0 or 0-1.

 

[Arbury]

Expecting a really tough game on Saturday, think we're still trying to find out what works best formation wise and who's best to play where but we will be hard to beat, dickie will definitely set us up not to lose.

Carlisle are 7/4 with coral and I'm finding that very tempting. Good luck to all travelling up.

Up the u's.


KTF.

 

[shoddycollins]

The 3-5-2 looked pretty good against Chesterfield last night, but mainly after Ibehre came on. We looked quite dangerous down the wings and Ibehre was just so good at getting on the end of crosses from McQueen, Brough and to great effect, Osei. Curle's made no secret of the fact that he wants to have more than one formation up his sleeve though, so whether we continue with it against Cambridge, I don't know. I feel Balanta deserves to have a role in our season besides simply being back-up, he ran the show in midfield last night, but can't see that either Kennedy, Joyce or Hery should make way for him so I don't know whether he could feature in some kind of alternative.

When the fixtures where first announced, I looked at Cambridge being our first home league game and despite remembering the 5-0, wasn't especially worried about it. But since then they've looked more like contenders and there seems to be a buzz about them, they've singed some quality players. Now I worry that for the fourth season in a row, our first home game is against a team expected to do things, and we don't really want to lose another. There's not a change we're going to play to avoid defeat, so expect us to try and make the game the sort of fast-paced end-to-end affair that last night's game was.

I don't think we've sorted defence out, so I could see this being 3-2... who to though? I'm not prepared to say.

 

[SVH]

We won't concede 3 that is for sure.

 

[Vanni]

I'm cautiously optimistic about our chances, and think we'll win this one 2-1. Personally, I would be happy with a point too, but don't think Money will be, as I reckon he'll be eyeing all 3 points at stake. My major doubt is that we haven't settled down yet, but that's not really an excuse, as I imagine neither have the other L2 sides.

CUFC mk2 vs CUFC mk1 - 1-2

 

[Lee Watkins]

Can't see us conceding 3. I feel really confident in our defence. We're very solid at the back now with legge and Roberts who are both league 1 centre backs. I'm going for a narrow 1-0 Cambridge or 1-1

 

[shoddycollins]

I'm cautiously optimistic about our chances, and think we'll win this one 2-1. Personally, I would be happy with a point too, but don't think Money will be, as I reckon he'll be eyeing all 3 points at stake. My major doubt is that we haven't settled down yet, but that's not really an excuse, as I imagine neither have the other L2 sides.

CUFC mk2 vs CUFC mk1 - 1-2

Considering you only became a CUFC in the 50s, I think claiming the title of 'mk1' for yourselves is a bit on the cheeky side. Get behind Colchester.

 

[SVH]

My team for Sat:

 

[hellogregory]

I think our lack of height at the back may cost us here. I still expect us to play well and have the better of the game but I fear Cambridge will have enough about them to do what Chesterfield didn't do last night and that is take their chances.

I'd like to see Troy play this game due to his physical attributes, to deal with Corr. Won't happen though, he's clearly just the backup centre back now which seems ridiculous given how good he was in league 1 for Swindon just 2 seasons ago.

I'm going for a narrow 2-1 Cambridge win. But still with positives to take from a decent performance.

 

[daviejones]

My team would be:

Gillespie
Miller Atkinson Raynes Grainger McQueen
Joyce
Kennedy Hery
Jabo Osei

 

[daviejones]

I think our lack of height at the back may cost us here. I still expect us to play well and have the better of the game but I fear Cambridge will have enough about them to do what Chesterfield didn't do last night and that is take their chances.

I'd like to see Troy play this game due to his physical attributes, to deal with Corr. Won't happen though, he's clearly just the backup centre back now which seems ridiculous given how good he was in league 1 for Swindon just 2 seasons ago.

I'm going for a narrow 2-1 Cambridge win. But still with positives to take from a decent performance.

Raynes doesn't seem to lose many headers - did he actually lose any yesterday? - so I'd just stick him on Corr and be done with it.

 

[cufc17]

I'd go with:

Gillespie (GK)

McQueen (RWB)
Miller (CB)
Raynes (CB)
Grainger (CB)
Brough (LWB)

Joyce (DM)
Kennedy (CM)
Hery (CM)

Ibehre (CF)
Wyke (CF)

Brough was poor last night, and supposedly at Mansfield, though I seem to recall a Cambridge fan saying they didn't have a right-back? He could find his form again, and I'd rather play McQueen on the right where he played very well.

I'd also keep the same midfield which played at Mansfield, though Balanta and Dicker would be unlucky not to start. We have great depth in midfield this season, and a couple of exciting playmakers.

I wasn't keen on Osei last night, nor in any of the friendlies, and thought he had a poor game when he came on. He only looked good when their defence was tiring, though he took his goal very well.

 

[hellogregory]

Raynes doesn't seem to lose many headers - did he actually lose any yesterday? - so I'd just stick him on Corr and be done with it.

It's more physically than aerially I was thinking for Corr.

Raynes didn't lose a header last night, but I don't think he's as strong as Troy physically.

If Atkinson has picked up a knock I'd just put Troy in as a straight swap.

 

[hellogregory]

I definitely wouldn't start Osei. At the moment I think he's best used as an impact player to bring on late on

 

[SVH]

We are very strong from set plays as we send all 3 center half's up for corners along with Slew and Corr all five of them are over 6 foot.

 

[hellogregory]

We are very strong from set plays as we send all 3 center half's up for corners along with Slew and Corr all five of them are over 6 foot.

This is why Archibald-Henville needs to play. He can mark all 5 of em.

 

[shoddycollins]

This is why Archibald-Henville needs to play. He can mark all 5 of em.

Troy can occupy the Cambridge team, allowing us to deploy the other 10 players in a free role.

 

[shoddycollins]

This is what I have in mind.



____________________Troy_____________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
McQueen__Hery____Joyce__Kennedy__Brough
___Osei___Rigg___Wyke___Ibehre___Asamoah_



We'll win about 48-0 if we do that

 

[huddsmoose]

Interesting that you're supposedly weak in the air. We're going to score a hell of a lot goals this season from set pieces.

 

[shoddycollins]

Interesting that you're supposedly weak in the air. We're going to score a hell of a lot goals this season from set pieces.

Well we'll just not have to foul you or give away any corners... simples!

 

[daviejones]

We had a pretty huge team last season but a lot of those players are gone now, defence has Atkinson and Grainger who aren't massive and in midfield they're all pretty short as well. Raynes, Troy and Jabo can all handle themselves so that's three (if Troy plays) but we'll certainly struggle in that aspect against bigger sides. Luckily Jabo will be scoring a hat trick so we can afford to concede from a couple of set plays.

 

[Lee Watkins]

My team for Sat:

Newton must start. Newton for L Hughes and I'd agree. Get Donaldson and morrisey on as subs later on the game

 

[shoddycollins]

We had a pretty huge team last season but a lot of those players are gone now, defence has Atkinson and Grainger who aren't massive and in midfield they're all pretty short as well. Raynes, Troy and Jabo can all handle themselves so that's three (if Troy plays) but we'll certainly struggle in that aspect against bigger sides. Luckily Jabo will be scoring a hat trick so we can afford to concede from a couple of set plays.

Ah yes... Kavanagh's team of giants... and who does Curle sign as soon as he takes over?

Derek Asamoah

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

This has draw written all over it for me

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I am going for a 4-3 win.

not sure who yet.

our 3-1-2-4 formation we played Tuesday is too open to not have a glut of goals..................until 4-5 games down the line we sort've get it gelled and abit more organized.

Could be us storm it, or could be Cambridge bag afew on break.

and not complaining if we do play the same way.....give me that anyday of the boring 1 up front counter-attack bore-fest.

 

[Lee Watkins]

We won't conced more than 2. Although legge has a sickness atm, hoping he's fine for Saturday as he plays a massive part in defence.

 

[cufc17]

I don't understand the Dicker love-in (sounds a bit wrong that, I promise it's not) amongst most Carlisle fans. I thought he played reasonably well on Tuesday, but so did the other central midfielders. Some people on our forum make him out to be a top player, and one of our best players. I'd still rather see Joyce play instead of him.