The U's-letter: Issue #14
Double match week, double decent points
It feels surprising that a 1-1 home draw is the game in which we’ve arguably seen the most heart and character that this United team have offered so far. Even if Sullay Kaikai hadn’t have beautifully directed that header into the far corner, the way we responded to going a man down and then a goal down in that second half was a huge encouragement in itself.
The odds were so stacked against us; with Bolton’s quality they surely should have put another couple past us, and we’d have rued a solid but wasteful first half and a stupid moment from a young centre back costing us points. But the way the team got the crowd onside and built that pressure, just waiting for that one chance to level it, was so admirable. And so encouraging. We even could (maybe should!) have gone on to win it.
That marked the third game in a row we’ve come away with a point from, and given the opposition (especially the two home games) it feels like everyone’s pretty pleased with that return. It keeps the momentum going, keeps confidence high, and keeps the scoreboard that is our points tally ticking over. The games come thick and fast now this side of Christmas, but players are on their way back - and we’ll need them to make our squad as deep as possible.
Thanks again for reading! Make sure you’re subscribed for more UTAS content in the form of our podcast and written features:
📰 News From The U’s 📰
The Birmingham away fixture has been moved to Tuesday 11th February.
Young Glenn McConnell has joined Chelmsford City on loan.
We’ve been drawn away to Cheltenham Town in the Vertu (read: pizza) Trophy, to be played on Tuesday 10th of December.
Injury update: Stokes is expected back this week (Wigan or Reading), Longelo the week after, Barton the week after, and Richards the week after that. Roughly.
✍️ At The Match ✍️
Both below written by Owen Kiernan. Subscribe to The Antler to read the report in full and receive regular match reports in your inbox.
Northampton Town 0-0 U’s
A point. A clean sheet. No injuries. That was probably about as successful a trip to Sixfields as we could have hoped for really. The biggest talking point pre-game was who’d start in goal, could Jack Stevens keep his place following a Man of the Match performance against Barnsley the week before?
The answer was no, as Vicente Reyes was restored to the XI after the international break. That answers any questions as to who the #1 at the club is, although Stevens’ post-Barnsley comments show he’s aware and working on the challenge to regain his confidence and position.
The weather was miserable, the ground is miserable, and let’s be honest, the football was pretty miserable too. Despite all that it was United who looked the better side, and the best chance early on fell to Brandon Njoku who’s shot was stopped by the keepers leg. Perhaps he could have squared it to Nlundulu but you can’t be angry at a striker having a shot from there.
Other than that the only other incidents of note during the first half was some typically inept refereeing, firstly ignoring the most blatant Morrison handball I’ve ever seen, then evening up an incorrect corner decision against the U’s the next time Northampton had a shot.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, the wind having the most impact on the game as United plugged away. Njoku made way for Lavery just after the hour mark, and the Northern Irishman almost opened the scoring five minutes later, blazing over the bar instead. Lavery was involved in probably the best chance of the second half, getting on to a loose ball, playing across goal to Kachunga who only needed to tap it in, but a last-ditch block by the defender denied him.
U’s 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
You know what - despite it being a 1-1 draw with little real quality on show (that was definitely the poorest Bolton team we’ve seen at the Abbey for as long as I can remember) it was one of *those* games. You know the ones. The Abbey, the floodlights, the cold, the smell of undercooked bacon wafting through the stands… one of *those* games. The crowd was our smallest of the season so far, with the South Stand virtually empty, but it felt like everyone had packed into the NRE - as loud and as supportive as I’ve heard all season.
To the game itself then, and well, it was pretty unremarkable. United got out the blocks quick, having a chance within the first five minutes but that was kind of it really. Bolton looked flat, their league position betraying what looked like a fairly unremarkable side. The first half was over almost as soon as it started, a cursory one minute of injury time felt like a minute too long, so little was the action on the pitch.
The second half went much the same way, United content to let Bolton have possession and snatch at chances every now and again, whilst getting forward when possible. Njoku made way for Lavery at half-time, United’s #34 having a below-par game by his standards. I think if we had a fully fit squad we’d have looked to get him a loan out to League Two or the Conference to get some goals against his name, so in a way he’s suffering by playing this regularly.
The turning point came ten minutes into the second half, as Bolton prepared to take a corner some jostling in the area led to Okedina raising his hands - gently, mind - to Bolton’s number six who went down like he’d been snipered from one of the floodlights. A soft red card, but Okedina was banged to rights really, you can’t raise your hands to someone’s face, especially when you’re that close to the referee.
The red card was about the only decision the ref got right in the second half, and it felt like he was going to lose control of the game shortly after. Korey Smith pulled to the ground, whilst waiting for Bolton to take a throw, once he was on his feet the throw went into the box, and as Andrew prepared to get his tackle in he was caught allowing Aaron Collins to squirm a shot past Reyes. Both could have done better, both a little unlucky, but it was United with the world against them as Bolton could sit back and defend their lead with the luxury of the extra man.
Too many times before we’d have seen heads drop here - and many people, myself included, have questioned the fight and spirit in this United team. They answered that brilliantly last night, battling for everything, fighting for the ball and not giving up. Morrison seemed constantly on the cusp of a red card, but once the game settled it was the U’s who took it to Bolton, pushing for that equaliser. Kachunga came on for Cousins, and whilst he didn’t do a whole lot it was a statement of intent from Monk as we tried to claw back a point.
That goal came in the last minute of the 90, an Andrew throw made its way back to him in front of the main stand, and his whipped cross found Sullay Kaikai to nod home and send the ground into pandemonium. One of *those* Abbey nights.
United almost nabbed all three points with the last ball of the game, a corner that Ibsen Rossi couldn’t steer past the Bolton keeper, but you know what? Given everything, a point was a decent result in the end.
🧐 View From The Away End 🧐
Northampton Town
From It’s All Cobblers To Me
I thought Cambridge could have been in front at half time and, overall, dealt with the conditions a lot better than we did. You had control of the game and we struggled to get a foothold into it in the first 45. The big moment saw Nesta Guinness-Walker block a goal bound effort and I don’t think any of us could have complained had it gone in. He’s been immense for us though so another big moment for him.
The Cobblers had a couple of late half chances as Tom Eaves caused a bit of chaos and Tyler Roberts became way more effective from the right hand side but 0-0 was about right. Referee Alan Young was shocking for both teams, giving us a goal kick after a near own goal and then seeming to even it out with another dreadful call at the other end straight away. Dreadful all game! All the best for the season and looking forward to a trip to you.
Bolton Wanderers
From The Fanzone Pod
Frustrating night really. Not much happened after the first five minutes, we each had a few good chances but then the first half fizzled out into nothing. I thought we started better second half, then the red card came, and you thought at that point we just needed a goal to get us going and the game would open up.
The goal did come, bit of a scrappy one, but 1-0 up with half hour to go against 10-men, you think that’s the game done really. But. we were too passive going forward I thought and then the last 15/20 minutes we let you back in it, giving away too many set pieces and throw-ins. Credit to you lot because it would be very easy after going down to 10 men against a top-half team to just accept the loss and throw out the excuses, but you rallied back and I was really impressed.
FANCY BEATING US AT EFL FANTASY? LINK BELOW 👇
🔢 Stats Corner 🔢
Sullay Kaikai’s header on Tuesday night was the first headed goal United have scored this season.
🔮 Opposition Preview 🔮
Wigan Athletic (H) - FA Cup 2nd Round - Saturday 30th November
Last 5 (all comps): WWDLW - Slightly below expectations but picked up two good victories recently.
Last time out: U’s 2-0 Wigan, 19th October 2024. Only the other week!
Our H2H: P19, W5, L6, D8. You have to go back to 2001 for the last time Wigan won at the Abbey.
Manager: Shaun Maloney. Wigan legend.
One to watch: Thelo Aasgaard. Scouse born Norwegian, trying to addd more goals to his game this year it sounds like.
Former U’s players: Jensen Weir.
Reading (A) - 7th place - Tuesday 3rd December
Last 5 (all comps): DWWDL - A 2-1 victory at London showing how well Selles’ men have started the season.
Last time out: Reading 4-0 U’s, 16 March 2024. Monk’s third game in that disastrous week. It really did look like we were destined for the drop at this stage.
Our H2H: P27, W10, L11, D6.
Manager: Ruben Selles. Ex-Premier League with Southampton, the job he’s done despite all the obstacles here is fantastic.
One to watch: Sam Smith. We know all about him.
Former U’s players: Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs. Good days.
🏟️ Under The Other Stands 🏟️
Gareth Ainsworth’s time at Shrewsbury started with a bang as they beat Birmingham 3-2 at home. All the comments from him afterwards talk of wanting to bring that fight and battle back to Shrews, which given his track record, is bad news for other teams in the relegation fight.
Northampton followed up their stalemate with the U’s with a 2-1 loss at Wigan, and due to their severe injury problems there’s a feeling they might be one that could fall into a relegation fight.
On the flip side, Burton lost back-to-back home games to Stockport and Charlton, without scoring, and they’re starting to cut themselves a drift, already 8 points off safety.
All respect to Wycombe Wanderers who have won 10 on the bounce in all competitions now, and are 4 points clear at the top of League One.
💻 On The Web 💻
Luke Leahy’s bizarre cross/shot/shank in the last minute gave Wycombe all three points to keep up their remarkable winning streak.
🕺 What’s Spinning? 🕺
Absolutely no bias from the person writing this newsletter but you should check out this new band called Known For:
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