Attention turns back to Sky Bet League One this weekend as Cambridge United strive to return home from Adams Park with their first victory of the season when they pit their wits against Wycombe Wanderers…
How to Watch
Hundreds of the U’s faithful have already snapped up their tickets for Saturday’s tie in Buckinghamshire, which gets underway at 3pm.
Accommodated in the spacious Away Stand behind the goal, you can buy your tickets from Adams Park on the day of the game.
CUFC TV makes for essential viewing for those who are unable to attend in person. Overseas fans can stream the game live, whilst supporters in the UK can tune into live audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
There’s a real sense of rejuvenation for the hosts under the now-established Matt Bloomfield. It’s been a transitional process ever since ripping up their previous anti-football label under Gareth Ainsworth – which secured Championship football for the very first time in 2020/21 – with the 40-year-old returning home in February 2023 following almost 500 appearances as a player for the Chairboys. Always in and around the play-off picture, Wycombe have recorded 6th, 9th and most recently a ranking of 10th since their return to League One, with a run to the EFL Trophy final and strong late-season form a potential springboard as they aim to grow.
Sitting content in 10th, it’s been an entertaining and free-scoring start – with the back of the net bulged 10 times. Nine have been conceded, but all in all seven points from a testing first five has been a strong return for Bloomfield and co. Nonetheless, they did kick-start the campaign with back-to-back 3-2 defeats against newcomers Wrexham and Birmingham City who both aspire for a short spell in this division. That first victory was soon tasted at home to Rotherham United with a late 2-0 showing, whilst Blackpool then forced them into a 2-2 tie. Their last league fixture saw them come from behind to dispatch Northampton Town 1-2, whilst they come into this match off the back of a 5-3 thriller against Brighton & Hove Albion U21s in midweek. Momentum has also been raised thanks to a Carabao Cup run, with Aston Villa the reward for overcoming Northampton and Swansea City.
Boasting an excellent blend of experience, strength and creativity all over the park, the Chairboys are set up to have a consistent season. Franco Ravizzoli has worked his way to become the undisputed number one, with fellow former MK Dons man Daniel Harvie part of his four-man defence that usually contains reliable full-back Jack Grimmer, former non-league centre back Declan Skura and Joseph Low. A robust midfield three sees Ipswich Town loanee Cameron Humphreys provide the energy, Aaron Morley the creativity and Josh Scowen the bite. Up top, veteran Garath McCleary continues to thrill even at the ripe old age of 37, with the talismanic Daniel Udoh on the opposite flank and accompanying Richard Kone, whose incredible early career has seen him make the switch from Athletic Newham of the Essex Senior League this year look seamless.
Form Guide
- 24/08/2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
- 28/08/2024 – Swansea City 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers – Carabao Cup Round Two
- 31/08/2024 – Blackpool 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 14/09/2024 – Northampton Town 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
- 17/09/2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 5-3 Brighton & Hove Albion U21s – EFL Trophy
The Amber Angle
Last time out, Cambridge saw their winless run stretched as a 1-2 defeat to Charlton Athletic left their Bristol Street Motors Trophy aspirations hanging by a thread.
Quickfire goals from Tayo Edun and Matt Godden cut the hosts open and raced the Addicks into a healthy lead during a dominant spell, but Dan Nlundulu capped his first start with a consolation from 12 yards prior to the break to restore parity. The match opened up as the evening progressed, but both defences remained alert – despite the visitors seeing red late on – to keep the score slender.
Giving a truthful account post-match, Garry Monk said: “We need one of those games where it goes for you and when you do make a mistake it isn’t punished straight away. We’re searching for that game because it’s nothing to do with attitude or endeavour. For the run of results, it doesn’t look like a team playing with low confidence.”
The U’s sit at the bottom of the league and, alongside Burton Albion, are the only side yet to grab a win, but the desire to flip the form is evident. Can Adams Park prove to be the happy hunting ground that breathes life into the 2024/25 season?
Form Guide
- 24/08/2024 – Cambridge United 4-4 Blackpool – Sky Bet League One
- 31/08/2024 – Bristol Rovers 2-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 03/09/2024 – Bromley 3-3 Cambridge United – EFL Trophy
- 14/09/2024 – Mansfield Town 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 17/09/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Charlton Athletic – EFL Trophy
Team News
It’s been an incredibly unfortunate week injury-wise for the U’s, with Josh Stokes joining Shayne Lavery on the treatment table for the next month at the very least after suffering a knee problem. Kell Watts and Gary Gardner also remain ruled out - the latter is approximately one to two weeks away from being available. There was some positives in that Danny Andrew should be back, whilst Elias Kachunga and Ryan Loft have returned to full training and are in contention.
Quick Quotes
Monk on team spirit: “The focus and attitude, I’ve said it all along, has been spot on. The overriding feeling amongst the group is just frustration. The want to win and need to win is all there – when you’re not winning, you’re never going to be at full confidence… It’s just putting it all together and coming through a game unscathed, having that win and then you’ll see a bit of burden off their shoulders.
“I think we can unburden ourselves with that win and then I think you’ll see a different complexion to them and the whole feeling around it all.”
Monk on the free agent market: “That (making further signings) will be a club decision. In this situation, of course we need help and it would be great if we could… Whether we can or can’t, we’ll see… It’s my job to focus on what we have available and try to make the best of it.”
Head-to-Head
- Wycombe Wanderers Wins: 16
- Cambridge United Wins: 6
- Draws: 4
Last Time We Met
- Tuesday 3rd April 2024 – Cambridge United 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers – Sky Bet League One
The sides last met just five months ago as the curtains closed for the season at CB5, with late drama ensuring that - for the second season running - their league fate would be decided on the final day following a 1-1 draw. With the opportunities flying throughout an end-to-end encounter, it was the hosts who crucially drew first blood mid-way through the second half thanks to Gassan Ahadme’s expert header. Unable to preserve their lead, Luke Leahy equalised from the spot late in the evening to continue the Chairboys’ impressive form and ensure that United were not yet out of the woods.
Boot in Both Camps
Our latest list of cult heroes who appeared for both is the well-admired Scott Rendell, whose killer instinct and longevity in the game has cemented himself as a respected forward. Catching the eye with Forest Green Rovers and Crawley Town, he was plucked by the U’s in the summer of 2007 and frankly never looked back – scoring 19 and 15 goals during two separate spells either side of a move to Peterborough United - which included the iconic play-off semi-final winner against Stevenage. Destined for the Football League, Rendell appeared for Torquay United, Wycombe and Luton Town before enjoying more prolific spells with Woking and Aldershot Town. Despite approaching his 38th birthday, he remains in the non-league scene with AFC Totton and, as you’d expect, has been a talismanic figure since his 2022 arrival - plundering over 50 goals for the table-toppers.
Match Officials
- Referee: Scott Oldham
- Assistant Referee: Michael Webb
- Assistant Referee: David Harrison
- Fourth Official: Alan Dale