Rovers 1-0 U's: Squeaky Or Not?

Our report from another Tuesday night defeat on the road

It’s all just got a little bit awkward, hasn’t it?

Well, any objective and neutral observer of League One would disagree. 5 points clear of the drop at the time of writing, it still would take something quite miraculous from both Cheltenham and Burton for the U’s to drop. As well as United probably losing all their games. You’d get very big odds on all that happening. But, everyone reading this has probably been watching United regularly this season, and they will be well aware that they are more than capable of holding up their end of the bargain.

Debutant George Hoddle, photo courtesy of Cambridge United FC

In this truly disastrous turn of events, Tuesday night was the first of the dominos to fall. It was a night where we really could have given ourselves the most comfortable end to the season possible, and continued our good momentum since the Easter break. A point would have put us six clear of the drop, a win eight (but due to Cheltenham’s win and the fact they also have three games remaining, not mathematical safety yet, which was on the cards pre-game). In that respect, it’s not really an opportunity missed. But given the fact we play 2nd placed Derby on Saturday, the Rams knowing a win would promote them, we are going to be edging towards that final game without our safety assured.

On the night, it was no more than the U’s deserved really, despite what Monk said in his surprising post-match presser. Rovers came into the game in the bottom four of the form table, but back to winning ways having done us a favour and beaten Cheltenham on Saturday. That game, incidentally, was the first game in which they’d found the night in eight. So we’re talking about a very “beachy” team, struggling to find their feet under new manager Matt Taylor.

On Tuesday, they were on top from the off. Constant spells of pressure, particularly down United’s right where Scott Sinclair was showing his pedigree time and time again, were leading to numerous dangerous shot-taking opportunities around the edge of the box. A few flashed narrowly wide, and it did feel like the U’s were living dangerously, but it was Digby down the other end who had the first really big chance - a free header from a corner that he attacked at pace but couldn’t direct either side of the keeper, when he really should have.

Shortly after he was involved again, but this time down the other end where a combination of Thomas and Sinclair capitalised on an error from young Jobe, and Digby’s sliding challenge in anticipation of a shot clipped Sinclair’s back heel. It looked fairly soft from the away end, but you can see why it’s been given.

Just when you thought the U’s would have a mountain to climb, up stepped Will Mannion who calmly guessed the right way and easily saved Martin’s poor penalty. A lifeline, and one that United needed to capitalise on.

The real frustration is that they didn’t, and, in the second half especially, didn’t even look like trying to. The only opportunity came from a decent delivery from Danny Andrew’s free kick which ended up at Jobe’s head at the back stick, but with a deflection on the way through he couldn’t direct it goalwards and it clipped the top of the post and back into the box, before being cleared.

The strange aspect of the performance was that sitting back and holding onto a point did make a lot of sense - as mentioned, this is a fairly poor Rovers side with nothing to play for and a tricky midweek trip for us regardless. Another point on the board would also have been huge for us, as mentioned. So that approach is understandable. But then bringing young George Hoddle on to make his debut with 10 minutes to go at 0-0, and leaving Ryan Bennett on the bench to help see things out? Seems like a strange combination of choices.

And in the end, not directly or indirectly as a result of it, the U’s couldn’t hold out. Brophy showed his lack of match practise at left wing back and allowed Luke Thomas to latch onto a ball in behind him, and slide it across for Martin who comfortably tapped home. Injury time wasn’t enough for United to find a reply, with the best news of the end of the night coming from Vale Park as Wycombe found a late winner.

Due to Cheltenham’s win at Burton, the state of play is that Vale need to beat Bolton away on Saturday or they can’t catch us. Cheltenham need to win two games, and we need to lose two - but also in that scenario, Burton need to win at least one from their remaining two and overcome a five goal swing.

Unlikely is the word, but we’re all looking forward to the day when there’s no more ifs, buts and maybes, and the job is finally done.