PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW: KEVIN NOLAN
Cambridge United Manager Shaun Derry is eagerly anticipating the chance to go head-to-head with Leyton Orient boss Kevin Nolan in the technical area on Saturday afternoon.
Having been appointed the O’s new player-manager last week, Nolan faces his third match in charge against United this weekend and the prospect of lining up against the former West Ham, Bolton and Newcastle midfielder is an exciting one for Derry.
He said: “I know Kevin, he’s a great guy and a true professional so I’m looking forward to pitting my wits against him.
“I’m sure under his stewardship Leyton Orient will be well-drilled. Kevin [Nolan] has played at the highest level for a number of years, making over 400 appearances in the Premier League which is a fantastic statistic.
“He is an extremely attack-minded midfielder, and his goal scoring records tell the story about the impressive character that he is.
“As a manager he is finding his feet, but I’m sure he’ll have plenty of backroom staff helping out at Leyton Orient who will offer a lot of support.
“I’ll look forward to sharing a drink with him after the game and having a good chat about being young people in the game who are trying to prove ourselves as managers.
“But for the 95 minutes on Saturday, he becomes the firmest of enemies.”
The United boss says that following a review of last weekend’ tussle with Hartlepool United, which ended in a 1-1 draw, he reflects with positivity at the manner in which his side controlled the fixture. However, he has tasked the U’s with creating more opportunities on goal.
He said: “Having had the chance to watch the Hartlepool game back on Monday morning, we held the majority of possession and controlled the game. What we didn’t do was create enough clear cut opportunities in front of goal until the last 20 minutes, when our substitutions came on.
“We have no divine right to just win games, and we are trying our best to get as many wins as possible.
“We are now into the final third of the season, with 18 games to go and I think it’s really important we don’t now get carried away with what we have seen, whether that be good, bad or indifferent.”
Leyton Orient tickets and Away Travel are available online by clicking here. Call 01223 566 500 for further information.