The U's-letter: Issue 33

Your fortnightly update of goings-on at the Abbey

And the U’s go marching on… When the last U’s-letter landed in your inbox, we were fresh off an invigorating 2-0 home win against a well-fancied Walsall side. We all agreed it was probably the statement win we were waiting for.

Now, we’re fresh off a 2-1 win up at Fleetwood, one that feels significant for different reasons. The character shown to respond to an equaliser that felt far from deserved was another big test passed. We might have made it harder for ourselves than we should’ve done but we showed a combination of impressive possession football in the first half, and guts and belief to make it count late in the game when we needed.

Now, we have two home games on the horizon to tackle, two that represent a huge opportunity. And it kicks off against Tranmere Rovers this weekend.

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What’s New? 📰

• We’ve signed a striker! Elliott Nevitt arrives on loan from Gillingham for the rest of the season.

• Grimsby game has been rearranged for Tuesday 24th March.

• Latest pod is here to listen to, previewing Saturday’s game:

At The Match ✍️

U’s 2-0 Walsall: 1st January 2026

It had taken a significant effort for the U’s to win at Stockport and take their place in the third round of the FA Cup.

With Premier League teams entering at this stage, to draw Birmingham at home wasn’t the reward fans would have hoped for, and Saturday evening’s defeat ensured that this season’s campaign won’t be remembered in the same breaths as famous runs in years gone by.

No need to be over-alarmist despite a rare Abbey defeat; a positive result at Fleetwood next Saturday will keep United well placed to achieve their season’s goal of a promotion which has looked an increasing probability over the course of two unbeaten months.

Read in full:

When Sullay Kaikai stood over a free-kick in the 30th minute of Saturday’s game at Fleetwood, it had already been an eventful afternoon for the winger.

In the opening exchanges, playing in a floating role behind Appéré and supporting Brophy down the left-hand side, he’d been at the heart of everything United were doing. With the U’s dominating virtually all of the ball, Kaikai had taken up the challenge of being the difference-maker in the final third. That should firstly have resulted in a penalty, unfairly dismissed by the referee when he was through on goal. He continued relentlessly buzzing around the box, picking up scraps from corners and turning them into half-chances. And, eventually, it was returning a one-two with Brophy that led to Kaikai standing at the end of his free-kick run-up, waiting for the referee’s whistle.

When it came, the number 11 curled in a sumptuous, near-perfect strike to open the scoring. The quality of the goal was befitting of a player who in recent weeks has shown every ounce of his ability at this level. He is a game-changer, a difference-maker, someone who might float in and out of games at times but when he has the ball at his feet in the final third driving at defenders, he gets you out of our seat. You’d do well to just imagine how opposition fans must be feeling in those moments. There are surely not many better at this level. In short, he is becoming, as many might define it, ‘a cheat code’.

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View From The Away End 🧐

A round-up of recent games from the eyes of opposition fans…

Birmingham City - Blues Focus

The team selection from Chris Davies indicated he took Cambridge seriously—only two changes from the league victory against Coventry.

Captain Christoph Klarer returned from suspension, and Kyogo Furuhashi replaced Jay Stansfield up front, rested as a precaution.

Kai Wagner- on his second Blues appearance- netted the opening goal, highlighting his attacking capabilities despite being a full-back.

Furuhashi scored the second goal of the game- his first since August. The away fans were jubilant about this, as his goal drought has not come through a lack of trying, and the goal will hopefully give the Japanese striker some much-needed confidence.

Marvin Ducksch’s clever placed finish should’ve spelt the end of the game 15 minutes from time, but a quick Kaikai double ensured a nervy finish, with Blues crawling over the line.

Cambridge were impressive, especially in the early stages of the second half, pressing high to win back the ball and force errors.

It’s easy to see why Cambridge went on a long unbeaten run before Saturday, as they were combative throughout the game, created high-quality chances and gave a Championship side a real run for their money.

Fleetwood Town - By Knappers

A really interesting game on Saturday. I thought Cambridge really offered a lot more than Fleetwood, although the stats won’t show it.

I feel that Cambridge had much better opportunities in the match, they passed it and moved it a lot better than Fleetwood ever did, and look like they have a real identity about them. You could see why they’ve been not conceding goals but you could also see at times why they’ve not scored as many as they should, with failing to hit the target on a number of occasions with good opportunities.

When Fleetwood got back into the game, it felt like a lifeline but it would’ve felt like burglary to get anything! Overall, I thought the better team won, and I wish you well.

PS I hope we stop playing you now for a long time after 6 losses in a row!

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Opposition Preview 🔮

Tranmere Rovers (H) - 17th Place - Saturday 10th January (5:45pm kick off)

• Last 5 (all comps): LLWLW - They’re much better away from home than at home, sitting 9th in the away table.

• Last time out: Tranmere 0-0 U’s, 27th September 2025. One of the most boring games of football ever conceived.

• Our H2H: P29, W9, D11, L9. Very even! We’ve not actually got a great record against them, last time we beat them was April 2002. Only one win in last 12.

• Manager: Andy Crosby. A spell at Vale before this current spell on the Wirral.

• One to watch: Charlie Whitaker. See Ben G’s preview below to find out why.

• Former U’s players: Big Joe! What a ledge.

Tranmere Rovers 24/1/26 | Match Preview

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Under The Other Stands 🏟️

• Last weekend, only Shrewsbury and Gillingham won in the bottom half – everyone else lost. And in the top it was the opposite, Swindon were the only team to lost, and they were beaten by 4th place Salford.

• It’s quite ‘as you were’ in the league. Bromley couldn’t convert a late penalty to beat Chesterfield and extend their lead at the top, but the point still leaves them 6 points clear (despite having played a game extra).

• It’s tight for the top 3, there’s only 2 points between Swindon and second and ourselves in 6th, with Notts County only 3 points before us still in touching distance.

Stats Corner 🔢

• Harrogate haven’t won a league fixture since September. That’s a long time.

• Of Shrewsbury’s 5 wins, 3 have been 1-0 wins at home to 22nd, 23rd and 24th - one of the others against us, of course.

• Tranmere have taken 70 shots in their last 4 games. SEVENTY SHOTS. Find out more in the Preview linked above.

• Bromley have scored at least 2 goals in every single home league game this season. That’s a remarkable record.

• “Averaging 0.99 goals per 90 minutes and an insane 40.4% goals per shot on target rate, but at 21 having only played 60 minutes in the National League, the highest level of senior football for him yet, I’d be cautious about putting responsibility on him in January in a tight promotion race where we need someone to finish chances. But for the summer? I’d recommend keeping an eye on him.” - Find out who Ben G is talking about in the January scouting report.

In Case You Missed It 🍿

• Hallam’s turnstiles aren’t going to stop much.

• Candle-based signing humour is niche but great.

• The AFCON final was mental, and this confetti going off for the infamous panenka penalty is the cherry on the cake.

• “I thought you was dead…”

• One of the best own goals ever.

• A simply unbelievable miss from Gills’ Josh Andrews.

• And finally, signing pictures gone wrong.

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