Football Season Guide

Almost every League Two club has faced the same battle during the summer in trying to hold onto their best players. The U’s are no different and having been delighted to resist the approach of Scottish Premiership side Hibernian for player of the season, Luke Berry, they were almost immediately dealt the blow of losing goalkeeper Will Norris to Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee. Manager, Shaun Derry, will be disappointed to have lost Norris but has acted quickly to replace him with experienced goalkeeper David Forde from Portsmouth. Derry knows the pressure will be on him to reach the play-off places this season having finished 11th in League Two last time out. It was two places lower than the previous season but three points closer to the top seven. If they are to achieve their goal then keeping hold of Berry was crucial as he was sensational last term in the middle of the park with 22 goals in all competitions added to a number of assists. Injuries didn’t help last year and Derry has opted not to offer striker Barry Corr a new deal due to a long-term knee problem. He has replaced him with striker Jabo Ibehre who rejected the offered new deal from Carlisle United to be nearer his family in London. He has strengthened the squad further with the additions of wingers Adebayo Azeez and David Amoo from Partick Thistle. Midfielders Emmanuel Osadebe and Gary Deegan were regulars in League One last season and will support the creativity of Berry. The attacking quartet of wingers: Harrison Dunk, Medy Elito and Piero Mingoia as well as striker Uche Ikpeazu add even more cause for optimism and excitement at the Abbey Stadium but they all missed significant chunks of the campaign due to injury and will need to stay fit if Cambridge are to challenge for the play-offs this time around. Derry also needs to add some strength to his defence but the U’s can certainly look forward to the new season.