INTERVIEW: SHAUN DERRY
Having taken on automatic promotion chasers Bristol Rovers and Oxford United last weekend, the U’s travel to the Crown Ground on Saturday for another Sky Bet League Two tussle against high flying Accrington Stanley (K.O 3:00pm).
Manager Shaun Derry admits it’s been an odd run of fixtures but states it’s another great opportunity for United to test themselves against the League’s best.
He said: “We’ve faced second and third in the division over Easter and now we take on fourth. The way in which the fixtures have fallen may be slightly peculiar, but we want to be playing in the big games when there is something to play for.
“I felt Monday was good performance, and the levels of performance were exceptionally high especially after the disappointment of Friday in Bristol.
“There was an element of disappointment after the Oxford game that we didn’t get all three points because I felt we put enough in to get something out of it. But on we go and we are up against a tough opposition this weekend in Accrington.
“We’ve had a couple of quiet days and the boys have returned in fine spirits, keen to get on with what will be an entertaining end to the season.”
Despite another tight group of players to choose from, with Barry Corr, Greg Taylor, Ryan Donaldson and Conor Newton all still on the U’s injury list, Derry says the return of Everton loanee from international duty with England U19s gives him a good decision to make with regards to selection.
Max Clark’s opening matches in amber and black over Easter saw the midfielder take full advantage of his first Football League appearances, to put his name in contention for a starting place this weekend in Lancashire.
Derry said: “Ryan (Ledson) will be keen to come back into our environment, having experienced a great time with England which highlights the level of performer that he is.
“He returns on the back of good performance on Monday, which gives me a decision to make going forward into the weekend.”
He added: “It was tough for Max on Friday, coming on to the pitch at 2-0 down but I felt he grasped his debut with both hands. On Monday his levels were very good and he has to back that up between now and the time when he returns to his parent club.
“It’s a good situation to be in when you have these decisions to make.”
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