Where there's a Will(mott) there's a way?

I usually find it difficult to muster up any sympathy for Rio Ferdinand, but even I feel a little bit for the England skipper, whose dream of leading the nation to quarter final defeat in the World Cup has been wrecked by injury.

Still, with no football to worry about perhaps the Man United defender can resurrect Rio's World Cup wind ups, the prank show filmed during the 2006 finals which involved such hilarious japes as, er, pretending to kidnap David Beckham. Every cloud, eh Rio.

Another player dogged by injury recently is Robbie Willmott, but the U's winger is now back to full fitness and gave a very frank interview to BBC Cambs last week admitting that he needs to up his game.

"[Last year] I let my standards drop and it wasn't the best season for myself," he said. "A few people were getting on my back, the injury was a bit of a blessing because it meant I could evaluate everything again."

It's good to hear such reflective talk from Robbie, and it's perhaps a sign of growing maturity in a player who spent most of last term looking grumpy and disinterested. But the proof of the pudding will be whether he can back up his words with action on the pitch. I remember last season he did an interview in the programme where he admitted he needed to play better, and that he switches off sometimes during matches, and there wasn't any discernible difference in his performances after that.

For me this will be a make or break season for Willmott. When he's on his game he's an exciting player, but I still harbour serious doubts as to whether he has the footballing intelligence to make the most of his gifts. Too often his decision making is poor, and it doesn't seem to have improved over two seasons of first team football. We all saw the difference that the far more dynamic Scott Neilson made when he came into the side last season, and Willmott could do with taking a leaf out of his book if he wants his career to progress to the next level.

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U's 3 - 1 Salisbury City; Model professionals?

There's been some great PR coming out of the club recently.

Following on from the (sadly ill-fated) Danny Crow burrito scheme is the news that Robbie Willmott and Danny Potter will be taking to the catwalk at the Grand Arcade this Friday. They couldn't have picked two more appropriate players - Potter is probably plucking his eyebrows as we speak while Robbie waxes his skinny little legs. Actually that's an awful thought, so I'm going to move swiftly on. Yuk.

But both players might want to consider full-time modeling careers, because at this rate they will find it rather difficult to force their way back into the team when they recover from their respective injuries. In Danny's absence, Simon Brown's seven appearances for the U's have coincided with our seven-game unbeaten run, which continued last night with a fairly routine 3-1 win over Salisbury last night.

And as for Willmott, U's fans will be crossing their fingers and toes that Lingy can extend Scott Neilson's stay at the Abbey. Because so far the on-loan Bradford man has been absolute dynamite, providing pace and a goal threat which we have been lacking from midfield all season. It seems unlikely Neilson will be back next term, and if he does scamper back to Valley Parade perhaps Robbie can use the former Cambridge City man as a benchmark for the kind of performances he should be contributing to the side.

Anyway, again United were far from perfect in dispatching the Whites, but played some good stuff at times after falling behind to an early piece of brilliance from Matt Tubbs. The front four linked up particularly well, stringing together a couple of excellent one-touch passing moves, and though Antonio Murray's performance was a bit in and out he did score a brilliant goal so fair play to the lad.

Ling thought we were comfortable winners, but I'm not sure I agree with that. Salisbury always looked capable of scoring on the break, but for the most part were too sh*t to take advantage. United on the other hand took three of their four main chances, with the other one hitting the underside of the bar, and that kind of clinical-ness is pleasing to see.

So still plenty for Lingy and co to work on, but if we could repeat that level of performance in the 46 games of next season I think we'd finish in or around the play-offs. Wrexham next, bring it on.

*To submit your 20-word match reports on the Salisbury match, email cufcblog@googlemail.com, visit the U's Blog twitter page, or leave a comment under this post.

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D-Day for Chester

Take-over bids by dodgy-looking Danish consortiums not withstanding, we should know in the next few hours whether or not Chester are departing the Conference, taking with them six precious points earned by Lingy's amber army earlier in the season.

I'll be pretty annoyed if the Blues do get the booted out, mainly because it means the 90+ minutes spent at that awful, awful, match we won 1-0 in December will have been a complete waste of time. But putting that aside, Chester is a mess that won't get any better, and must be put out of its misery. That there is even any doubt as to whether the life-support machine is going to be switched off just goes to prove what a complete shambles the The Conference is.

Because as you probably know, the fate of the Blues has been left in the hands of the member clubs, who will meet at Rushden today to consider what to do. I like to imagine all the chairmen sitting in a row, Britain's Got Talent style, and delivering their verdict via a big illuminated red cross displayed above their head, but maybe that's just me. Certainly some chairmen I could name have about as much charm as Piers Morgan, and are almost as smug.

Mansfield have already confirmed they will be voting selfishly to keep Chester - and their points - and I would hope United will do the same, or at least abstain. After all, what else can we possibly do? It's not right, but it would be stupid for a Turkey to vote for Christmas. If Chester do survive, lets hope the Conference board grow a pair and change their own rules, because expecting members to vote objectively on the future of a competitor is patently ridiculous.

Meanwhile United will go in search of that elusive win against Tamworth tomorrow without the services of Robbie Willmott, who has apparently been ruled for the rest of the season with a knee problem. No great loss if you ask me, but it does leave United short in wide areas. According to the CN Lingy is considering whether to deploy Rory McAuley or Sam Ives on the right of midfield, but if it was me I think I'd be tempted to bring in Daryl Coakley and push Aiden Palmer up into midfield. Palmer is a tricky customer, and probably the best crosser we have, and would also give us a bit of pace which the team will lacks sans-Willmott.

Whatever the line up, a win is long overdue, and we're not likely to get a better chance than against a Tamworth side whose form is nearly as bad as our own. 'Mon United.

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New year stuff

Happy new year folks. My journey back through the channel tunnel seems to have transported me to a bizarre parallel universe where League One Leeds are capable of beating Man United, the BBC deem it appropriate to make the awful Colin Murray the new face of the BDO world darts championships, and Histon think they can nick three of our senior players.

Perhaps Tony Roach has made it his new year's resolution to troll United as much as possible in 2010. Not content with declaring that the Villagers are the "biggest club in Cambridge" (anyone see the slight flaw in that? Unless Histon and Impington has jumped across the A14 in my absence that is) today Stutes acting manager Uncle Fester revealed he is interested in signing up Gleeson, Willmott, and Beesley: "I’ve always been a big admirer of Beesley, Gleeson and Willmott, I’ve spoken to a director at Cambridge and made my interest known to him," he said, before adding that he had put in a call to Sir Alex to enquire about Wayne Rooney's availability, and was looking at Stephen Gerrard as a potential replacement for Josh Simpson.

If this wasn't such a transparent PR stunt I would be quite happy at the prospect of someone taking Beesley and Willmott off our hands. Still, it's good to know that the Roach magic wand has done it's work on the Villagers precarious finances, to the extent that they can now put in bids for full time players and expand their stadium's capacity to 5,200 (average attendance so far this season; 973). Obviously there's nothing to worry about at the Glassworld.

Sadly Lingy must have plenty on his mind after our 4-1 defeat at Stevenage, not least that we could go into our Trophy game against Eastbourne next week with a backline comprised entirely of players yet to hit puberty. With Saah and Hatswell suspended, and Tonks on his way to Oxford, a totally CRC-spawned defence of McAuley - Coulson - Hudson - Coakley looks a distinct possibility, acne-tastic!

However, perhaps the freezing weather will come to our aid and the game will be postponed; it's bad times when the Trophy is all you've got to play for, but it has to be our priority now, and I would rather the senior players missed a league game than this, gulp, important cup tie.

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Blues:2 U's:0 - off our trolleys

It’s always weird when you see footballers off duty, going about the mundane tasks of their daily lives.

Earlier today I was in Royston Tesco, and who should happen to be wandering round the store, looking a bit gormless, but United winger Robbie Willmott. If I was being cruel I might say that young Willmott has spent most of his on-pitch time this season wandering around looking a bit gormless. And indeed it seems he and his team mates put in a performance barely worthy of Poundworld during last night’s defeat at Grays.

I wasn’t at the match, but judging by the radio commentary it was a fairly abysmal 90 minutes, with none of the players covering themselves in glory. And it leaves Martin Ling with a few selection posers ahead of Sunday’s encounter with the back-in-form-at-just-the-wrong-time-actually Villagers.

In the last couple of games I’ve been to, the midfield has looked weak, so I would be tempted to make changes there – perhaps ditching Willmott and Jai Reason and bringing in Sam Ives and Jordan Patrick. The problem with that is that all the CRC players are so tiny, so maybe it's time to consider Ben Farrell, who would offer a more physical option.

I’m really not sure what the solution is, but what isn’t in doubt is the kind of opposition we will be facing on Sunday. Histon will be their usual hard-working, physical selves, and if United can’t compete in that department then we’ll be in trouble.

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U's:0 Creepy Crawley:1

Over the last few weeks life at Cambridge United has often been described as a pantomime. So we probably shouldn't be surprised that the pantomime villains finally turned up on Tuesday in the shape of Steve Evans and Paul Raynor.

Like a fatter, uglier, version of the Chuckle Brothers, the "Blue Square Special One" and his stooge entertained the Abbey crowd with their usual comedy routine, contesting refereeing decisions with gusto, waving bits of paper around at anyone who was watching, and generally acting like a pair of knobheads.

I'd like to say that their team cheated its way to victory, but that would be unfair as Crawley kept it fairly clean for once, and were deserved victors in what was a frustrating match from a United perspective. Too many players had off days, and although we were unlucky to go in behind at half time, our second half display was more limp that a two-week old lettuce.

The only goal of the match appeared to me to be a good couple of yards offside. I was almost exactly in line as Ben Smith slipped the ball through to Jamie Cook, who seemed to be lurking behind the last defender. But the lino's flag stayed down, and Cook finished with aplomb, selling Danny Potter a dummy before clipping the ball over the grounded keeper.

United could have already been in front, with several promising moves fizzling out to nothing. Robbie Willmott was the instigator of most of these, beating his full back time and time again with pace and skill. He came closest to a goal with a thunderous free kick which crashed against the angle of post and bar, while Beesley tested the keeper with an angled shot that was palmed away for a corner.

But as time progressed the match became more and more reminiscent of the Barrow game, with United attacks breaking down at the edge of the area. Pitt and Crow were introduced as Lingy tried to shake things up, and although the former had more impact than the player he replaced (Parky), it was to no avail, and in fact Crawley came closest to a goal in the closing stages. Charles Ademeno, looking leaner and meaner than he did during his time at United, hit the woodwork twice, while Coulson hooked a goalbound effort off the line.

So yeah, not the best of days, and plenty for our new leader to ponder. Neither Carden nor Reason got to grips with Crawley's midfield trio, with Reason in particular giving away far too many free kicks. And at the back we were all over the place at times. I love Hatswell, but I don't think he copes too well with the pressure of being the senior man alongside two youngsters (Coulson and Coakley). I also think the deficiencies in his game are shown up when you take away the pace of Tonkin, who last season often swept up behind his colleague if he was done for pace. For that reason the return of our regular left back can't come soon enough, together with the addition of that much needed extra centre half. Hopefully they'll be some good news on that front later today.

Man of the Match: Robbie Willmott - Final ball still a bit iffy, but Robbie was about the only United forward who looked likely to make things happen.





Community Service Award of the Match: Paul Carden for kicking the ball at Evans at the end of the game. Shame he didn't get him in the face.

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Pilgrims:2 U's:3

I miss our regular trips to Boston.

There’s something very other-worldly about the journey to deepest darkest Lincolnshire, where you pass through places you would otherwise never see: Tyde Gote, Lutton Garnsgate, and Whaplode Drove were particular favourites of mine, although sadly we didn’t get to sample the delights of Quadring Eaudyke. Next perhaps.

York Street is not a bad ground either and, like United did for many years, the Pilgrims give their best stand to away supporters. The view from the Town End puts most of the Blue Square Premier grounds to shame, and the whole thing wobbles when you jump up and down, which is cool if slightly disconcerting.

Boston of course have sustained multiple relegations over the last couple of years, a hangover from the days when Steve Evans and his cronies were in charge. Crawley fans beware, this could be your future. Having dispensed with one unlikeable manager in Evans, the Pilgrims decided to appoint another in the form of Tommy Turncoat Taylor, who of course famously ditched United to go to Orient, declaring that he would “walk down the M11” to join the O’s. Shame he didn’t try that during rush hour if you ask me, ahem.

Anyway, United started really well, and Challinor had already forced a good save from the Boston keeper by the time we took an eighth minute lead. Robbie Willmott worked a short corner with Beesley, and sent in a delicious curling cross to the near post, which found the net via the slightest of slight touches from Danny Crow’s outstretched boot. In fact I’m not sure it even touched him at all, but he did that OTT, orgasm-face, celebration again so no-one is going to try and take it off him I’m sure.

At this stage it looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for the U’s, with Jardim in particular menacing the Boston backline. But to give Turncoat Tommy some credit, he made an early change, bringing on Kieron Leabon, and the pacy winger got the equaliser, finding space between Hatswell and Bolland to head in a rightwing free kick.

Boston had the better of things from then up until half time, with United struggling to regain their early lustre. Although Challinor had the ball in the net, he was (correctly) ruled offside, and we were lucky to survive what looked like a blatant penalty when the ball spun up and struck Anthony Tonkin on the arm.

Speaking of Tonkin, I was astounded to see the Brabinator meting out praise in his direction after the game. I thought he had a stinker of Titus Bramble proportions, and in fact Boston could’ve scored directly from one of his cock ups. He gave the ball away and was stranded high up the field as the home side broke, with Leabon eventually squared the ball to Ollie Ryan, who somehow shot high over the bar with the goal gaping.

By now, United were in front thanks to Robbie Willmott’s first senior goal. He made a good run forward and fired in a shot from distance that probably wasn’t troubling the keeper until it took a massive deflection and ended up in the opposite corner to that which it was originally heading towards.

Ryan received a bit of, ahem, light-hearted banter from the United fans following his miss, so it wasn’t a surprise that he appeared to enjoy his goal when it did come. Crow gave possession away needlessly when he could’ve just walloped the ball clear, and Talbot picked up possession and slung in a cross to the back stick where Froggatt headed down for Ryan to slam the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Danny Potter made a smart stop to foil Ryan again as Boston went in search of the winner, but the fifth and final goal came it was at the other end. Willmott was again the instigator, cutting in from the right this time and curling in a cross which ex-U Matt Bloomer flicked over his own keeper and into the net. To be honest it was about time he made a positive contribution to our cause.

It was an enjoyable, open, game, with plenty of chances. Neither side defended very well, and it’s quite strange that United’s backline have gone from being tighter than a ducks proverbial to looking like they could concede at any minute. If we can get the attack and defence working at the same time we’ll be an awesome prospect, but then I guess that’s the key to football, isn’t it?

Man of the Match: Robbie Willmott – Pace, direct running, assists, and a goal to boot. And I’m fairly sure there’s still a fair bit to come from the young winger.

Strange fashion statement of the Match: On the way into the ground we spied two different sets of teenagers wearing one leg-warmer of a pair each. Is this some kind of trend amongst the youth of today that has passed me by? Or is Boston just a bit odd?

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FGR:2 U's:2

So now I, and other viewers of last nights game at Forest Green, know what you learn when you embark on the UEFA “A” coaching licence course.

If the Brabinator is anything to go by, you are taught to draw a big circle on a white board, and write HIGHER TEMPO in the middle of it. Lucky we can call on such advanced coaching techniques, I’m sure it really gives us the edge over other teams.

As well I had to laugh when Steve Bower described the game as being a “match with a lot of quality about it.” It was entertaining game, but only, as with a lot of Conference matches, because the ineptitude of both teams meant there were chances aplenty. United’s consistent failure to maintain possession was our downfall, with the Carden-shaped hole in our midfield particularly noticeable. Meanwhile the homes sides backline looked porous throughout

The one real moment of quality in the first half saw FGR take the lead. Andy Mangan turned neatly away from Tonker, and put in an inviting cross which was flicked past Danny Potter by the inrushing Michael Symons. Rovers had the better of the first half, and Potter had to be alert to make two good saves from Simon Clist, while Ben Farrell cleared a shot off the line.

But once United got going it was clear why Forest Green have plummeted down the league of late. They looked susceptible to any ball into the box, with keeper Ryan Robinson possessing the bizarre knack of being able to jump seemingly lower than he stands. LFW (bless him) used to suffer from the same problem.

The equaliser came after Challinor was brought down on the right near the corner flag. Willmott whipped in a tempting centre which found Hatswell arriving late to head in a goal against his old club. Not quite as spectacular as the last one, but they all count. 1-1.

Beesley had already seen a shot well saved by Robinson, and before half time Bolland saw a header tipped round the post.

It was a taste of what was to come after the break, with United taking control of the match. To give Brabs his due, he seemed to change the shape slightly, from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, with Willmott wide left and Farrell moving to the right wing. We looked a lot more solid after this, and Bees missed two glorious chances to give us the lead, shooting wide then playing a one-two with Danny Crow but shooting straight at the keeper before seeing the rebound blocked on the line by Darren Jones.

Our second arose from a great run from Willmott, who picked the ball up in his own half and just ran and ran. For once his final ball was good as well, bypassing the keeper and allowing Danny Crow to nod into the empty net. I always knew he had it in him, ahem.

Sadly we conceded an equaliser almost immediately. A long free kick into the box wasn’t dealt with convincingly, and after a spell of pinball Mark Preece rammed home from close range.

A draw was probably a fair result on the balance of play, but I having gone 2-1 up I suspect last years team would’ve held the lead. I’m yet to be convinced that the 08/09 class have the same mental toughness, but we shall see.

Man of the Match: Robbie Willmott – A constant menace who finally displayed some decent end product. Keep it up Robbie.













Mong of the Match: Paul Parker – Good old Parks. The highlight of another bizarre display of anti-Cambridge bile came in the build up to our first goal. “That was never a foul for me”, he opined, as the replay showed a Forest Greener kicking Challinor in the shin. Perhaps he needs to be re-acquainted with a footballing rule book.

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