U's v Glovers (Cambridge v Yeovil)

[Habbinalan]

Biiiiiig match for the home side. Big opportunity for the visitors.

Despite being "only" 4 points ahead in 19th place, recovering from 5 straight league defeats and with a less than helpful boardroom, Yeovil have won their last 2, also beaten Notts County and drawn at Luton (as well as beating Walsall and Portsmouth in the League Cup and Trophy). Piero Mingoia will be a big miss for us again.

U's confidence will be significantly more fragile in front of a nervous home crowd that will need a show of spirit and attacking intent on the pitch to get behind the team properly. We weren't that great on saturday, even in the second half, just had plenty of spirit and intent with enough free kick and corner opportunities.

The usual Derry way is to aim to get to half time still in the match and take it from there. It has often worked out OK away from home (less so this season) but fallen flat more often at home. Whenever we've tried to start on the front foot, we've often faltered or been mugged on the counter-attack.

We need a win so what will he do this time? I think (hope) we'll be out of the blocks, with Ikpeazu and McGurk up front, and 2 goals up by half-time - then we can "take it from there." I fear that we'll find a way to cock it up again. The following can start 4231 and switch 4141 and 442 anytime.

Norris
Halliday, Legge, Coulson, Taylor
Berry, Clark
Elito, McGurk, Dunk
Ikpeazu

3-1 in front of 3,800? I can't imagine Glovers will bring many on a Tues night but I'm sure my old mate (local resident) Dave will be in the South Stand.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Solid performance, they were woeful, should've been more than one but we're never going to be topping the goalscoring charts. We've had about as easy a test as we could have in the last two games but in fairness we've done exactly what we've needed to, much tougher game Saturday though.

 

[Habbinalan]

Tom sums it up perfectly. We won it by playing the Derry way, with intensity and a 90+ minute performance. I hope we still have the resources to go like that again on saturday. Goal aside, Roberts was back near his comfort zone. Williams enjoyed the ball on the floor. Clark is growing into the holding role.

Derry did his bit, although the team (with saturday's result, growing injury list and a clearer indication of how unfit Ikpeazu is) probably picked itself. We're off and running. A degree of calmness has returned to the Abbey. I still worry about Derry's inexperience but the input, effort and support that he's getting from the experienced squad members bodes well for the momentum continuing.

Because of the team's approach and attitude, the fans were onside. Despite the lack of goals first half and the eventual slender lead, mistakes were tolerated and it was the most positive atmosphere I've felt in the Habbin for some time. Evening game under the lights and absence/silence of a few of the in-game nay-sayers helped.

 

[Laker]

Echo those thoughts before me. We played well and deserved the win, purely by taking the game to Yeovil and not letting off. Not a perfect performance and still lots to improve on but encouraging nonetheless.

Nice to see the club as one again and I agree with Alan, the atmosphere in the Habbin was much better. Amazing what a good performance and some poor refereeing can do to direct your anger his way instead!

Accrington will be a different test at the weekend but we can now go into that game with confidence and hope. Could be 3 wins on the trot which would be an amazing turnaround from a week ago.