The U's-letter: Issue #13
Rounding up a quiet week at the Abbey
It’s felt, thankfully, like a really quiet week. That point against Barnsley, although not exactly a huge reaction, did feel like the sort of response we wanted. Undoubtedly a really good point, against a really good side - you’d like to think plenty of other sides (ours this exact time last year, for example) would’ve buckled under the pressure. But we didn’t, and luck went our way.
Next up, a trip to Sixfields to face an injury-hit Northampton side. It was always going to be a big game, and it still is now. I get the feeling that with our own well-documented injury problems to deal with, there is a sense that we do just need to keep in touch with safety until January. We can’t lose too much ground on the teams above us before we get the chance to strengthen the squad in the winter window.
I’d have it down as a must-not-lose rather than a must-win, but then again you could say we won’t get many better opportunities this year than this to try and get three precious points away from home. Shoot for the moon, and if you miss you’ll land amongst the stars… or in the Sixfields Hungry Horse, at least.
📰 News From The U’s 📰
In the longest running no news is bad news injury saga in recent memory, there’s an update on Gardner’s time out. Bad news is turning worse.
Away from the Abbey, after an 11-year wait, our city neighbours are moving into their new home this weekend.
✍️ At The Match ✍️
U’s 1-1 Barnsley
Written by Julian Roberts
I feel like I’d never heard so many people say the words ‘bounce back’ than in the lead up to this game. And with the good form of our visitors, coincidentally the best away team in the whole division as well, it was always going to be a difficult task.
Nlundulu got us off to a dream start. After some great work from Brophy to win the ball back on the byline, Big Dan muscled off a few defenders (and made the most of some poor one-on-one defending, it has to be said), and was rewarded for his hard work when his shot deflected off the centre-back and looped into the net. If there’s anything to settle the nerves, it’s that.
It felt like the sort of confidence-booster this side needed. After the disaster at London Road, I dread to think what going 1-0 down would have done. After a 15-or-so minute spell where we were arguably on top, Barnsley made the most of a poor bit of defending in transition from our own corner, and Humphreys carried the ball from his own half, steamed past Liam Bennett, and lashed it home near post. It was a moment of quality, no doubt, but a situation you’d feel like we could’ve defended better as a group.
The second half was all Barnsley, and we did ride our luck to get away with a point. But, it doesn’t matter. We showed good fight, good resilience, and sometimes things just go your way. It will give a bit of confidence back to the players, start to rebuild the trust between fans and squad, and crucially add a much-needed point to the board. Onto Northampton.
🧐 View From The Away End 🧐
Barnsley FC
From Andy at Red All Over Podcast
You took the game to us and forced an error at the start of the game - it was well played by Nlundulu, holding De Gevigney off (but weak defending). A bit fortunate with the deflection but they all count. De Gevigney made further mistakes straight afterwards.
Watters came off injured and we reverted to our usual formation (I don’t know why we changed it). We then gradually came into the game & the equaliser was an excellent run and finish by Stephen Humphrey’s (keeper left a big gap at the near post though)
I thought we dominated the 2nd half (as you’d suggested regarding possession) but missed a few decent chances (Phillips and Keillor-Dunn in particular, neither of whom had a good game, in relation to their usual standards).
I thought your RWB Liam Bennett had a good game & it was enjoyable (if frustrating for us) to watch. All the very best for the rest of the season.
FANCY BEATING US AT EFL FANTASY? LINK BELOW 👇
🔢 Stats Corner 🔢
14. That’s how many fit senior players Northampton had when they grabbed a point against Birmingham last time out. Now that’s an injury crisis.
🔮 Opposition Preview 🔮
Northampton Town (A) - 16th place - Saturday 23rd November
Last 5 (all comps): LDWLL - That last draw coming away to Birmingham, which is very impressive, but the only win is against Leicester’s academy. Started well in general, keeping their heads above water, but will be looking over their shoulders still.
Last time out: U’s 1-1 Northampton, 9th March 2024. Monk’s first game in charge, starting off what turned into a disastrous week.
Our H2H: P49, W16, L19, D14. Nothing in it really.
Manager: Jon Brady. Brought them up from League Two, has kept them in the third tier since, and is widely love at Sixfields.
One to watch: Tariqe Fosu. Pacey winger, great technical ability, might come off the bench but is sure to give our full backs a torrid time.
Former U’s players: Cam McGeehan. Remember him? How could you not.
🏟️ Under The Other Stands 🏟️
An incredibly dull week of action in the third tier, as we were one of only five games that went ahead, and the only one with more than one goal.
Of games that concern us, both Rovers vs Crawley and Cobblers vs Blackpool finished 0-0. Rovers feel like a team where things are not going too well under Matt Taylor and they may well be dragged into a relegation mix. Blackpool’s poor form continues, and that new manager bounce is well and truly over.
🕺 What’s Spinning? 🕺
As Jordan eloquently put it: “I’ve never got Sam Fender. However his new song is pretty massive.”
Thanks for reading this week’s U’s-letter. Send us any comments or suggestions to include in next week’s issue to: hello@undertheabbeystand.com