Enjoy a sneak preview now of Head Coach Colin Calderwood’s notes in this week’s pre-season match programme.
The U’s boss reflects on the success of the Scotland tour and explains what he’s looking to get from United’s pair of fixtures against Leicester City and Ipswich Town this week, within his column of the match programme. Available for just £3, U’s fans can pick up a copy from the Club shop, CFU Van or from sellers across the Abbey Stadium.
Programme Preview:
We’ve got less than a fortnight until the season begins and it’s vital we continue to move on to the next level of detail in terms of strategy, set plays, restarts and minimising turnover of possession. We saw improvements in those areas from one fixture to the next last week in Scotland, and it was therefore pleasing to see elements of the work on the training pitch in Largs make the transition into a match scenario at Tynecastle on Saturday.
We now return to home soil for two very attractive fixtures. We want to use these games as a marker and contest well against both teams to increase further the right level of competitiveness required for when we move into the real deal of the League.
This is the stage at which results do start to become more of a focus, as well as control of a game which is always important. We expect a real test in both fixtures, of course particularly against Leicester where we know we’ll be playing a heightened level of opposition.
I’ll be looking for the team to be alert for the periods in the games where we can have good composed possession and as is the case in any fixture we need to show that we have a way of playing and can find ways and moments to implement that, irrespective of the opposition we are up against.
All of the friendlies have given us the chance to work against a good level of opponent at excellent facilities so far, and we’re looking forward to now be being back in front of the home supporters for the final two matches. We hope both games raise the excitement for you and provide a bounce into the new season.
Also in this week’s programme:
- Liam O’Neil – Player Feature
- Dan Jones – Player Feature
- Leicester City – Away Profile
- Ipswich Town – Away Profile
- Coconuts Chronicles – Leicester & Ipswich meetings of the past
- Remembering 50 & 30 Years this week – Nigel Browne
- Eleven to Tackle – Amber Gascoigne
- The ins & outs of League Two – Owen Mizon
- Sore Feet for the Beat – Malcolm Thompson
- Scotland Snaps – On Tour
- Friendly Focus
- Cambridge United WFC – Vicky and Kevin Hoover
Tickets for tonight's match are avilable online here and in the ticket office right up to kick off at 7:30pm.