Match Thread Away vs Cambridge United - 23rd Jan 2021 3.00pm

I’d take a point now

 

Sellars in his press conference saying that Novak and Pritchard are injury doubts but said 5 outa the injured 6 was out on the training pitch today so guessing if he is injured it’s not long term. Guessing Ismael is the one not training still or O’Donnell

 

Whilst we've games in hand on most of the teams around us, we need at least a point from this game to keep in touch with the teams above us and to make sure we don't end up in a mini league of 6 down at the bottom

 

A puzzle, this one.

Cambridge, very much inconsistent. 4 defeats in 11 but to Bradford, Stevenage, Mansfield and Oldham. The latter two at home.

Clearly a team with much capability, as their league position suggests. But, was I impressed with them at Valley Parade? Or when I watched them vs Harrogate? Not overly....

A time without a first team game for us. Will this have an negative impact or positive impact... Hard to say.

I'd like to think we keep this game tight. Maybe a time from first team action, may work in our favour as the game draws on.

Prediction, err don't have a clue

 

On the face of it, a very tough game. Away to top of the table and they are in form.

But looking a bit closer I don't see any reason we can't get all 3 points.
Their last 3 wins were all by 1 goal and against: Southend (24th), Grimsby (23rd) & 10-man Harrogate Town (18th)
Before that they lost to Stevenage (22nd) and us in December.
A quick glance at the match reports and they have all been really even games against what on paper is the easiest run of fixtures you're ever likely to get.
I don't think they have actually had what you'd call a good win since beating Salford nearly 3 months ago.
They started the season very well with a few impressive results but that looks a long way back now and they are only top by virtue of their rivals having games postponed.
They also haven't done any transfer business this month.
I think there are plenty of better teams in this league and they'll do well to get in the playoffs imo.

I though we looked comfortable against them in December and if we can replicate that performance, no reason we won't win!
1-2 Rowe & AOC

 

Nothing specifically on official Twitter about Novak though, but does say monitoring a couple of knocks; otherwise:

"
CS - on injuries | "
@brycehosannah
,
@reece_staunton
,
@RichODonnell23
and Zeli Ismail are all progressing well.
@Harry_Pritchard
has been injured for two or three weeks now, though, so he is unavailable."

 

Scoring draw.

 

We're having this lot.

 

HAVE IT...............

 

They were total shite in the return fixture when we were at our lowest and we should've scored 4 or 5 easily with the chances we had. Obviously can't judge them off one game but play like we did that day plus the added quality we now have in attacking areas and I think we'll get at least a point.

 

If Pritchard is out it will be interesting to see who plays on the left. I believe that Stevens and Brunnell are right footers

 

The xG stats for Cambridge are funny. They suggest their form isn’t sustainable long term and they should slip into the playoffs. They are clinical, though, if given chances.

We beat them at our place and we know all about their threats. We need Paudie to have Mullin in his back pocket again and not let him shoot from anywhere - he’s smashed them in from all angles this season.

 

Paudie will let Mullen out of his pocket after the game, Danny boy to stick a couple past them and 3 points will be coming back to West Yorkshire. Well hopefully anyway.

 

Wouldn't that be great, would show some real intent for the future....

 

Yes.

No choice.

Too long since the last game!

 

Novak 'touch & go' for tomorrow, so doesn't sound like it's a serious, long term injury, thank goodness.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19028671.bradford-city-new-boy-rowe-wait-efl-chance/

 

Maybe they'll shift Billy Clarke to the left and slot someone else in on the right.

 

Evans will probably play one side Clarke the other