Cambridge United v Ipswich Town
English Football League Trophy – Group H
Tuesday 18th October 2021 – 19:00
Abbey Stadium
Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike
It was always going to happen at some time, that much was inevitable, I did not however expect it to be against mediocre Lincoln city at Portman Road but those unexpected defeats can pop up anywhere at any time. With Town on a Three game winning run and tails up, and backed by another packed out Portman Road everything seemed set for win number Four but alas Town failed to live up to expectation to leave us all deflated and disappointed. In truth Lincoln offered virtually nothing throughout and did not have to work for the win, that for me is the most disappointing feature of the whole game, if we are going to get beat at least make them earn it.
The defending for the Lincoln goal was suicidal as every man and his dog stood still and did nothing allowing the unmarked guy at the back post to fire home the simplest of chances, questions need to be asked of Walton and co to insure it does not happen again. Forgetting the goal I felt the whole First half saw Town looking very pedestrian and lacklustre up until they scored, we lacked any sort of drive or tempo and our penetration was missing, aside form Leif Davis & Lee Evans nobody really looked on their game, lo and behold we go behind and it is as though a switch has been flicked on, suddenly everyone has an extra yard and suddenly we look hungry, this begs the question why is this slow start to games creeping in over the last Two or Three games ? It is something that has to be addressed as one of our strengths had been how quickly we get a grip of games and in doing so take it to the opposition from the off, it's served us well and needs to return to our game plan.
The second half was a completely different animal and a virtual siege of the Lincoln goal, effort after effort came and went with the Lincoln goal living a charmed life, defenders were throwing themselves in front of the numerous chances that we created, shots either just wide of the post or saved by the keeper although that said the percentage of shots on target to efforts at goal was not great, it was to turn out to be one of those games where if we played until midnight we would not have scored.
Of course this type of result is always going to bring the post match inquiries as to what went wrong when in truth the only thing that went wrong was a lapse at the back coupled with some poor finishing in front of goal, there is no inquest needed, no new brush required to sweep the decks clean, it's just one of those days, it becomes an issue when it continues to happen or when we end a game with one or two shots at goal all game, like in the days of Lambert, Hurst and Cook. I don't get the sudden call for tactics to be changed, players not being up to scratch and we'll be lucky to make the play offs if we don't improve, yes it's disappointing and yes we need more tempo from the off but KM knows this only too well and as with everything else so far he will address it.
Following on from the Plymouth defeat it was aid we needed a reaction and we got one, we need to do the same here and get the win Friday night, bouncing back quickly stops the defeat from becoming an issue and keeps belief and confidence high, I am sure the players will be fine but some of these have not witnessed the fickleness of Town fans yet, we need to keep that as a thing of the past.
Before Friday we have the small matter of a trip to Cambridge Utd for the Third and final game in the group stage of the EFL Papa John's Trophy, with Town all but through Mckenna has already stated his intention to field a young side and who is going to disagree with that ? Our focus has to be on Friday night which is why the likes of Humphreys, Hladky, Jackson, KVY, Keogh, Hughes, Armin, Agbaje, Siziba & Chirewa are being touted as possible starters. One player who looks certain to start and who will give us all a bit of interest in the game is Midfielder Panutche Camara, the signing from Plymouth is yet to make his Town debut having been injured so some game time here will be beneficial to his hopes of joining the First team squad for the long slog ahead, the reports of him are encouraging so seeing him for myself is the highlight of this game.
I am not sure we will be strong enough to win this one but I think we should well be progressing to the knockout stages barring a massive swing in goal difference following from our two previous impressive showings in the competition. I will go for a narrow Town win all the same, keep the faith. COYB'S.
Cambridge United - Honours
League
Football League Third Division / League One (third tier)
Champions (1): 1990–91
Runners-up (1): 1977–78
Football League Fourth Division / League Two (fourth tier)
Champions (1): 1976–77
Runners-up (2): 1998–99, 2020–21
Promotion (1): 1972–73
Play-off winners (1): 1989–90
National League (fifth tier)
Play-off winners (1): 2013–14
Play-off finalists (2): 2007–08, 2008–09
Southern League Premier Division (old fifth tier)
Winners (2): 1968–69, 1969–70
Cups
FA Trophy
Winners (1): 2013–14
Football League Trophy
Runners-up (1): 2001–02
Southern League Cup
Winners (1): 1968–69
The Manager – Mark Bonner
EFLT Group H Table
Form Guide
Cambridge United
24 Sep Morecambe 1 - 2 Cambridge Utd
1 Oct Cambridge Utd 0 - 2 Derby County
4 Oct Ipswich Town 3 - 0 Cambridge Utd
8 Oct Bristol Rovers 2 - 1 Cambridge Utd
15 Oct Cambridge Utd 0 - 2 Sheffield Wed
Ipswich Town
25 Sep Plymouth 2 - 1 Ipswich Town
1 Oct Ipswich Town 3 - 2 Portsmouth
4 Oct Ipswich Town 3 - 0 Cambridge Utd
8 Oct Morecambe 1 - 2 Ipswich Town
15 Oct Ipswich Town 0 - 1 Lincoln City
Head to Head
Match Referee – Thomas Parsons
CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0 IPSWICH TOWN 1
