MATCHWATCH : Cambridge United (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Wednesday January 1st 2025, 3pm
Where : Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LN
Capacity : 8,127

So on to 2025 and the first game up is the trip to relegation threatened Cambridge for the quickest return fixture in a while.

Garry Monk’s charges have been struggling ever since the season started and are currently enduring a run of 1 win from their last 10 league games though that was a 4-1 home romp against fellow strugglers Shrewsbury. Consequently Cambridge are currently 22nd in the table and 5 points adrift of safety.

Cambridge do have their moments though despite their struggles, they’ve collected a point at Wrexham very recently, as well as a point off of Blackpool at home, two games Reading have failed miserably in, other than that what few successes they have had have come against fellow strugglers and lower league sides in cup competitions. So this game would therefore be prime territory for us to all reacquaint ourselves with good old AFC Charity.

Loanee Dan Nlundulu, Shane Lavery and Elias Kachunga are the top goalscorers at the moment, each with 4 goals. Thankfully Sullay Kaikai has an ankle problem and is a major doubt for the game and it can only help things from Reading’s perspective if he were to miss out.

Reading might see Abrefa get back on the bench if they’re very lucky but other than that the usual sorry mess of injuries continues to plague the club. Also it is hoped Bindon won’t be missing pending his transfer to Blackburn or Norwich or whichever other of those clubs being linked has decided to make a move first.

Finally, despite the 3pm start, as it’s a midweek bank holiday the game is live to watch in the U.K. for those with a Sky subscription, either via the red button or the NOW App.

Referee

Jacob Miles

Previously

Nothing

Historically

The league record along this particular bit of the Newmarket Road isn't too good. The eleven league visits so far have seen Reading win just twice while Cambridge have won six including last year's damp squib that was live on the telly.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and go
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Sky red button and NOW app
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use a RoyalsTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[stealthpapes]

last year's damp squib that was live on the telly.

That was an interesting one, could have snatched a draw at the very end. Very quiet in the stands except for Mola's extended family.

I had a cracking burger and chips and got thoroughly lost on my walk back into the city.

[WestYorksRoyal]

They had a mini turnaround after 1 point in their opening 9, but it looks like that has passed and we should be targeting 3 points. They were very poor at the SCL.

However, I still think there's no easy away games for us in this division and wouldn't be that upset with a point.

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

… we should be targeting 3 points. They were very poor at the SCL.

However, I still think there's no easy away games for us in this division and wouldn't be that upset with a point.

I agree

[Snowflake Royal]

last year's damp squib that was live on the telly.

That was an interesting one, could have snatched a draw at the very end. Very quiet in the stands except for Mola's extended family.

I had a cracking burger and chips and got thoroughly lost on my walk back into the city.

We looked decent, but without a lot of cutting edge iirc. And suicided in defence to lose.

[stealthpapes]

They had a mini turnaround after 1 point in their opening 9, but it looks like that has passed and we should be targeting 3 points. They were very poor at the SCL.

However, I still think there's no easy away games for us in this division and wouldn't be that upset with a point.

Agree with this.

Just rewatched highlights from earlier in the month - Wing's second really is a touch of class.

Camara's done well this month as well, with four goals.

[Snowflake Royal]

They had a mini turnaround after 1 point in their opening 9, but it looks like that has passed and we should be targeting 3 points. They were very poor at the SCL.

However, I still think there's no easy away games for us in this division and wouldn't be that upset with a point.

Agree with this.

Just rewatched highlights from earlier in the month - Wing's second really is a touch of class.

Camara's done well this month as well, with four goals.

In typical fashion, almost immediately after I started writing him off having had high hopes, he's started delivering. Well done Mamadi.

[Sutekh]

They had a mini turnaround after 1 point in their opening 9, but it looks like that has passed and we should be targeting 3 points. They were very poor at the SCL.

However, I still think there's no easy away games for us in this division and wouldn't be that upset with a point.

Agree with this.

Just rewatched highlights from earlier in the month - Wing's second really is a touch of class.

Camara's done well this month as well, with four goals.

In typical fashion, almost immediately after I started writing him off having had high hopes, he's started delivering. Well done Mamadi.

Could you start slagging off Kanu and Holzman so one of them will be up to speed when Bindon goes?

[Snowflake Royal]

Agree with this.

Just rewatched highlights from earlier in the month - Wing's second really is a touch of class.

Camara's done well this month as well, with four goals.

In typical fashion, almost immediately after I started writing him off having had high hopes, he's started delivering. Well done Mamadi.

Could you start slagging off Kanu and Holzman so one of them will be up to speed when Bindon goes?

Holzman is coming along nicely, Kanu some way off yet I would say.

I wouldn't be too upset with a CB pairing of Mbengue and Dean/Holzman.

[Crowbar6753]

In typical fashion, almost immediately after I started writing him off having had high hopes, he's started delivering. Well done Mamadi.

Could you start slagging off Kanu and Holzman so one of them will be up to speed when Bindon goes?

Holzman is coming along nicely, Kanu some way off yet I would say.

I wouldn't be too upset with a CB pairing of Mbengue and Dean/Holzman.

Holzman has been at the club for a while now and has looked pretty steady in the few games he's played. The red card was a tough one and most players would have done the same.
Having Mbengue along side him should help due to Mbengue's sheer pace so not all doom and gloom plus we have Dorsett when he's fit so two fairly able CB's.

[Snowflake Royal]

Could you start slagging off Kanu and Holzman so one of them will be up to speed when Bindon goes?

Holzman is coming along nicely, Kanu some way off yet I would say.

I wouldn't be too upset with a CB pairing of Mbengue and Dean/Holzman.

Holzman has been at the club for a while now and has looked pretty steady in the few games he's played. The red card was a tough one and most players would have done the same.
Having Mbengue along side him should help due to Mbengue's sheer pace so not all doom and gloom plus we have Dorsett when he's fit so two fairly able CB's.

Yeah, Dorsett too, though he's likely to be needed at LB for a while yet.

Although maybe we could have Yiadom and Abrefa at the two fullback positions before long.

[Hound]

Kanu had a decent enough game Saturday after a ropey start. Holzman looks ok, no Bindon but could do ok. Yiadom has done ok there before and Dean could be ok alongside Mbnegue

Camara seems to have got into a habit of not playing particularly well but scoring or assisting.

[Hound]

Wouldn’t be against seeing Rushesha in to give Savage a rest in this one. Savage bit off his game at the moment

[Ark Royal]

Note that there is no parking at stadium and no park & ride to the stadium available on NYD. Booked a private street parking spot on JustPark.

[tidus_mi2]

We definitely need to be looking to win this won, not only because Cambridge are kinda terrible, but I'm going and I have an unbeaten away streak to maintain.

[Snowflake Royal]

We definitely need to be looking to win this won, not only because Cambridge are kinda terrible, but I'm going and I have an unbeaten away streak to maintain.

Bad news, I'm going. Genuinely no idea the last win I saw live. Might even be pre-Covid.

[Royal_jimmy]

Happy new year nobbers

How bad is the rain your way Ian? Hoping it doesn't end up rained off. Safe journey for anyone going in the gusts!

[Sutekh]

Happy new year nobbers

How bad is the rain your way Ian? Hoping it doesn't end up rained off. Safe journey for anyone going in the gusts!

Weather in Cambridge is like a Tory party conference - wet and windy. Heavy downpours expected all morning but dry afternoon. Persistent winds though.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Happy new year nobbers

How bad is the rain your way Ian? Hoping it doesn't end up rained off. Safe journey for anyone going in the gusts!

Weather in Cambridge is like a Tory party conference - wet and windy. Heavy downpours expected all morning but dry afternoon. Persistent winds though.

I'm not that far away and there's been just drizzle since first thing and the wind has eased off

[Snowflake Royal]

Proper pissing it down at the moment. Lots of ground water.

Should dry up an hour or two before the game according to Met Office.

It shouldn't be many hours of heavy rain.