Cambridge United’s next Sky Bet League One challenge following the international break sees them host Wigan Athletic at the Cledara Abbey Stadium this weekend…
How to Watch
Tickets are selling rapidly for Saturday’s return to CB5, with another near-capacity crowd poised to flock for the 3pm kick-off.
With the Mead Family Stand and Petrest Main Stand expected to sell out, and terracing set to follow, avoid disappointment by purchasing your tickets online at cufctickets.com, over the phone by calling 01223 566500 (option 1) or by visiting the Ticket Office. All prices increase by £2 when buying in-person on the day.
Unable to attend? Be sure to back the boys from home via your CUFC TV account. Overseas supporters can stream the game live, whereas UK U’s can tune into audio commentary.
Opposition Focus
Formed in 1932, the Tics plied their trade in non-league until 1978, where they finally broke into the Football League – from there, the only way was up. Enjoying a slow descent, the two-time EFL Trophy winners broke into the second tier in 2003 and, just two years later, were celebrating promotion to the Premier League for the first time following a 2nd-place finish. There, they stayed for a total of eight seasons, with 10th their best recording. In spite of relegation in 2013, they won the FA Cup with a memorable success against Manchester City, which secured a Europa League adventure whilst in the Championship. A yo-yo side since, Wigan hunt solidity - Shaun Maloney has proven to be the first step towards that. Since his January 2023 arrival, the former winger has galvanized the club by drastically shoring up the defence - and with many shooting through the pecking order and some experienced heads providing the know-how, the hope is to continue this new revolution by building on last season’s respectable ranking of 12th.
Currently in 16th, it’s been a steady start for the Latics, who are part of a compact group where three points separates them from 6th. Needing to find their feet, they succumbed to three defeats from their opening four, with a 1-0 triumph over Crawley Town overshadowed by defeats to Charlton Athletic, Reading and Birmingham City. However, since then, they remarkably haven’t conceded a single goal – keeping seven clean sheets in a row in all competitions. They kick-started September with an emphatic 0-4 dismantling of Bristol Rovers, but followed this up with three consecutive stalemates. Their attack clicked when they overpowered Peterborough United 3-0, before registering yet another goalless draw last time out away at Stockport County.
Wigan will be hoping to extend their imperious defensive record at the Abbey, with a compact rearguard proving a test for anybody. Sam Tickle deservedly takes the plaudits between the sticks and has a reliable pairing of Will Aimson and Jason Kerr in the middle of youngsters James Carragher and Luke Chambers. Former Arsenal Academy product Matthew Smith protects as the anchor and allows the likes of Jensen Weir and dangerous Norwegian Thelo Aasgaard to roam in the final third. Dion Rankine occupies the right flank with vastly experienced Callum McManaman rolling down the years on the left. Dale Taylor knows this level well now and has been trusted from the get go – he’s on two for the campaign but will be eager to improve his side’s attacking output of just nine goals from the opening ten.
Form Guide
- 24/09/2024 – Wigan Athletic 0-0 Stevenage – Sky Bet League One
- 28/09/2024 – Wigan Athletic 0-0 Exeter City – Sky Bet League One
- 01/10/2024 – Wigan Athletic 3-0 Peterborough United – Sky Bet League One
- 05/10/2024 – Stockport County 0-0 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
- 08/10/2024 – Carlisle United 0-2 Wigan Athletic – EFL Trophy Group Stage
The Amber Angle
A fortnight has passed since the last time the U’s graced the field, with Exeter City compiling another defeat after edging out a 1-0 victory at St James Park.
A well-struck attempt from Ryan Woods during the first half was enough to seal maximum points for the Grecians, despite needing to contend with a more front-footed approach from the visitors after the break. Ultimately, it was their lack of conviction and ability to take the encounter by the scruff of the neck when on top that extended the winless start to nine games.
Reflecting on the defeat in Devon, Garry Monk stated: “I don’t feel like we’re getting beaten off the park at all… It’s hard when you stand here and you can’t really ask for more from the players. The minimum requirement is to run and show effort and endeavour and attitude – fighting for that shirt and to get wins and points. I can’t really look at many games this season where I can pin that on the players and say we didn’t do this or that.”
A mighty challenge awaits United, who are without a win in 18 stretching back to April and seven points adrift from safety, but the Club believe time away to freshen up and focus may be the tonic they need ahead of three fixtures in the next week.
Expressing their backing, the owners and board of directors acknowledged: “There is no shortage of endeavour, focus and togetherness within the group… We remain ambitious as ever for Cambridge United on and off the pitch.”
Form Guide
- 17/09/2024 – Cambridge United 1-2 Charlton Athletic – EFL Trophy Group Stage
- 21/09/2024 – Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
- 28/09/2024 – Cambridge United 0-2 Lincoln City – Sky Bet League One
- 01/10/2024 – Cambridge United 0-1 Rotherham United – Sky Bet League One
- 05/10/2024 – Exeter City 1-0 Cambridge United – Sky Bet League One
Quick Quotes
Monk on the importance of the break: “We’ve been focusing on reviewing everything and each segment defensively and offensively, reaffirming it and looking at areas we need to improve and what we feel can be a real strength to us. We’ve been working all throughout the international break to get them to a level of focus where we can take them into this period of games.”
James Gibbons on putting the testing start behind them: “We’ve got to learn from the previous nine games. It’s baggage we don’t want to look back on but ultimately we have done. I think the break’s come at a good time for us, managed to regroup, get back on the grass and go through a few finer details that we need to work on. I look back to last year when we had the international break and it did us the world of good, so I’m hoping when we come back everyone is refreshed and ready to go again.”
Team News
The Head Coach revealed a major defensive boost in his pre-match presser, confirming that Kell Watts is set to return after recovering from a lengthy hamstring injury, while Zeno Ibsen Rossi’s scan revealed no significant damage - he too is in contention to make the squad. Elsewhere, Shayne Lavery and Gary Gardner have started light training and Josh Stokes is expected to join them next week.
Head-to-Head
- Cambridge United Wins: 4
- Wigan Athletic Wins: 6
- Draws: 8
Last Time We Met
Monday 1st April 2024 – Cambridge United 3-1 Wigan Athletic – Sky Bet League One
Our last meeting towards the conclusion of the 2023/24 season remains Cambridge’s last victory in all competitions as they moved up the gears to record an impressive 3-1 triumph over the Latics on a warm Easter afternoon. Gassan Ahadme was back in the goals again, with his brace putting the hosts into a commanding lead. Martial Godo dished up a consolation mid-way through the second period, but the U’s dealt with any adversity by remaining composed and putting the game to bed courtesy of Danny Andrew’s delightful free-kick. The result moved the club six points clear of the relegation zone with six to play.
Boot in Both Camps
Comfortable as a ball-playing central defender or a no-nonsense midfielder, 33-year-old Tom Naylor has experienced a plethora of success since with some big-name Football League outfits in recent years. Beginning his career with Mansfield Town in 2009, his displays caught the eye of Derby County, where he would spend three years with from 2012 to 2015. During that time, he embarked on loan spells with Bradford City, Grimsby Town, Newport County and the U’s, making eight appearances. He reignited his career from here, attaining well over a century of matches for Burton Albion - which included two promotions - and won the EFL Trophy with Portsmouth. Most recently, he guided this weekend’s visitors to the Championship before linking up with Paul Cook in June 2023 to help navigate Chesterfield’s way out of non-league.
Officials
- Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
- Assistant Referee: Johnathon Bickerdike
- Assistant Referee: Conor Farrell
- Fourth Official: Ollie Yates
