MATCHWATCH : Cambridge United (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday December 2 2024, 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

After the big day in the cup comes the big night in the league as Ruben looks to prove to everyone that he has got his limited team selection options bang on the button.

Cambridge started the season like they'd already been relegated as after their first 12 games in all competitions they'd registered just 1 league point, from a 4-4 draw with Blackpool, and a 3-3 draw at Bromley in that League Trophy thing and so they were nailed to the bottom of the division looking adrift of even 23rd place.

It really didn't look good for Garry Monk after just 6 months in charge, but since losing at Exeter on 5th September Cambridge have lost just one of 10 games in all competitions over 90 minutes, though that was a 6-1 stuffing in the Cambridgeshire derby at Peterborough (the one other defeat was by 2-1 after extra time in the cup to Wigan on Saturday). Their current league form is 1 defeat in 7 and they have drawn each of their last 3 league games. On the road they're picked up 1 win (at Stevenage) and a draw (at Northampton) but have lost their other 6 games.

Over the summer they brought in 6 permanent signings plus another 6 on loan and lost 6 to other clubs so some downturn in results was probably to be expected. Sullay Kaikai remains the most dangerous threat they have and he is the leading scorer albeit with 3 goals so far. Loan signing Dan Nlundulu from Bolton has contributed a couple of goals along with fellow forward Sean Lavery and I seem to remember Elias Kachunga looking a half decent player from last season. Of course the most well known Cambridge player to Royals fans will be defender Michael Morrison who many still don't understand why he was let go from the club only to be seemingly replaced by Harlee Dean. So with Harvey Knibbs now at Reading it could come down to who has more desire to put one over their old club.

This game is likely to come down to just how knackered Reading's players are but given the lack of squad resource available to Ruben it's not much of a surprise though why the club didn't seek to give them the best possible chance and put this game back a day is quite beyond many (oh well I suppose it gives an extra day's recovery before the big derby game at high flying Wycombe on Saturday).

There is an outside chance that Mbengue might be able to return after his suspension and knock from the Peterborough game. Abrefa, Yiadom and Wifi will remain sidelined until the new year though. Kanu will miss out as he serves a one game ban for receiving 2 yellow cards yesterday so expectation will likely be for Bindon and Holzman to resume, at least at start of play.

Referee

Sam Allison

Previously

Nothing

Historically

This is only the 12th season shared with Cambridge since they first joined the Football League back in 1971 and so far at home Reading have proven to be much the more dominant side with 9 victories and zero league defeats so far (Cambridge's best league forays to Reading have been a 2-2 draw back in 1990 and a 0-0 at the Mad Stad in January 2000). Cambridge's only win in Reading was a 3-0 League Cup win back in 1992.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Sky/Now live coverage
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use a RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Snowflake Royal]

Do we know who is actually fit? I'm losing track.

Are we expecting Mbengue, Dean or Holzman to partner Bindon?

Is Knibbs fit? If he is, will he play midfield or wing?

Cambridge are in much improved form, so it's not the gimme it looked a month or so ago.

[Hendo]

Cambridge are in much improved form, so it's not the gimme it looked a month or so ago.

Would rather be playing a weaker team at home who have come into a little bit of form recently, rather than one that is in free-fall. We all know what Charity FC are like.

[tidus_mi2]

Do we know who is actually fit? I'm losing track.

Are we expecting Mbengue, Dean or Holzman to partner Bindon?

Is Knibbs fit? If he is, will he play midfield or wing?

Cambridge are in much improved form, so it's not the gimme it looked a month or so ago.

Better run of form but also a fairly favourable run of teams, most of which were at home. That run included getting smashed 6-1 away to Peterborough.

So I'm still pretty optimistic about a win. Hopefully there has been enough rest for the likes of Wing, Savage, Craig and Elliott.

[Sutekh]

Do we know who is actually fit? I'm losing track.

Are we expecting Mbengue, Dean or Holzman to partner Bindon?

My expectation is Holzman starting. Mbengue might get on the bench if fit as presume Ruben would prefer him starting v Wycombe if possible

Is Knibbs fit? If he is, will he play midfield or wing?

He's fit as far as I know, not heard anything to say otherwise

Cambridge are in much improved form, so it's not the gimme it looked a month or so ago.

Better run of form but also a fairly favourable run of teams, most of which were at home. That run included getting smashed 6-1 away to Peterborough.

That's the bit that is worrying, Peterborough smashed them 6-1 and then Reading went to Peterborough and won so therefore this game has to be a big home win doesn't it? Sadly football rarely works out that way so expecting as difficult a game as you can get

So I'm still pretty optimistic about a win. Hopefully there has been enough rest for the likes of Wing, Savage, Craig and Elliott.

[morganb]

Knibbs has not trained in the last few days due to a knock on his knee.

Earnshaw on Twitter yesterday

https://x.com/james_e1871/status/186327 ... aLKlw&s=19

[Sutekh]

Knibbs has not trained in the last few days due to a knock on his knee.

Earnshaw on Twitter yesterday

https://x.com/james_e1871/status/186327 ... aLKlw&s=19

Oh! Bum.

[Clyde1998]

I'm a bit concerned about this one given a sizable number of first team players made much bigger appearances on Saturday than we would've liked - particularly the two who came off the bench at half-time.

120 - Garcia
76 - Akande
75 - Craig; Savage
60 - Campbell; Wing
47 - Dorsett
45 - Camara; Elliott

I would expect the team to be (if everyone's fit):

Pereira
Craig - Bindon - Mbengue - Dorsett
Elliott - Wing - Savage
Campbell - Smith - Knibbs

Basically, as we started against Barnsley with Mbengue back in for Holzman. I'd imagine Holzman would start if Mbengue doesn't make it; probably Camara if Knibbs doesn't.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I'm a bit concerned about this one given a sizable number of first team players made much bigger appearances on Saturday than we would've liked - particularly the two who came off the bench at half-time.

120 - Garcia
76 - Akande
75 - Craig; Savage
60 - Campbell; Wing
47 - Dorsett
45 - Camara; Elliott

I would expect the team to be (if everyone's fit):

Pereira
Craig - Bindon - Mbengue - Dorsett
Elliott - Wing - Savage
Campbell - Smith - Knibbs

Basically, as we started against Barnsley with Mbengue back in for Holzman. I'd imagine Holzman would start if Mbengue doesn't make it; probably Camara if Knibbs doesn't.

Selles said after the game that fitness levels wouldn't be an issue on the basis of what the players routinely do in training on matchday -2.

Of the above 11, 5 didn't play at all with Elliott and Dorsett only playing basically a half.

Cambridge also played 120 mins albeit on Sat and are travelling so hopefully fitness levels won't be an issue.

[Clyde1998]

I'm a bit concerned about this one given a sizable number of first team players made much bigger appearances on Saturday than we would've liked - particularly the two who came off the bench at half-time.

120 - Garcia
76 - Akande
75 - Craig; Savage
60 - Campbell; Wing
47 - Dorsett
45 - Camara; Elliott

I would expect the team to be (if everyone's fit):

Pereira
Craig - Bindon - Mbengue - Dorsett
Elliott - Wing - Savage
Campbell - Smith - Knibbs

Basically, as we started against Barnsley with Mbengue back in for Holzman. I'd imagine Holzman would start if Mbengue doesn't make it; probably Camara if Knibbs doesn't.

Selles said after the game that fitness levels wouldn't be an issue on the basis of what the players routinely do in training on matchday -2.

Of the above 11, 5 didn't play at all with Elliott and Dorsett only playing basically a half.

Cambridge also played 120 mins albeit on Sat and are travelling so hopefully fitness levels won't be an issue.

Fair enough, obviously both Mbengue and Knibbs were injured for Saturday (and both may not even play - pushing that number to seven players appearing in both). If that's the sort of intensity of training they do two days out from a game usually, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Snowflake Royal]

I'm a bit concerned about this one given a sizable number of first team players made much bigger appearances on Saturday than we would've liked - particularly the two who came off the bench at half-time.

120 - Garcia
76 - Akande
75 - Craig; Savage
60 - Campbell; Wing
47 - Dorsett
45 - Camara; Elliott

I would expect the team to be (if everyone's fit):

Pereira
Craig - Bindon - Mbengue - Dorsett
Elliott - Wing - Savage
Campbell - Smith - Knibbs

Basically, as we started against Barnsley with Mbengue back in for Holzman. I'd imagine Holzman would start if Mbengue doesn't make it; probably Camara if Knibbs doesn't.

Selles said after the game that fitness levels wouldn't be an issue on the basis of what the players routinely do in training on matchday -2.

Of the above 11, 5 didn't play at all with Elliott and Dorsett only playing basically a half.

Cambridge also played 120 mins albeit on Sat and are travelling so hopefully fitness levels won't be an issue.

Fair enough, obviously both Mbengue and Knibbs were injured for Saturday (and both may not even play - pushing that number to seven players appearing in both). If that's the sort of intensity of training they do two days out from a game usually, it shouldn't be a problem.

They didn't play a full first XI but they did involve a fair few, like us.

[Hound]

With the international breaks they haven’t had too many minutes recently so should be fine really

[Sutekh]

Cambridge's Sullay Kaikai to have late fitness test on knee injury sustained v Wigan on Saturday, rated as "touch and go".

[Crusader Royal]

Cambridge's Sullay Kaikai to have late fitness test on knee injury sustained v Wigan on Saturday, rated as "touch and go".

Doesn’t sound like a very thorough fitness test

[Stranded]

It's a tight turnaround but with Wycombe to play on Saturday and they are playing tonight as well, playing tonight was the least worst option.

I doubt they will have done much in terms of training in the last 48 hours or so - maybe some tactical sessions at most, so should be relatively well rested.

[Esteban]

Also fair to say we didn't do a lot of recovery running during the Harborough game. We controlled possession for large parts and they played very direct and quickly, so it's not like we spent a long time chasing the ball. I imagine Cambridge chased the ball at lot more than we had to.

They didn't have to play with 10 men though.

[Snowflake Royal]

Also fair to say we didn't do a lot of recovery running during the Harborough game. We controlled possession for large parts and they played very direct and quickly, so it's not like we spent a long time chasing the ball. I imagine Cambridge chased the ball at lot more than we had to.

They didn't have to play with 10 men though.

I think Wing may have done as much running forward dribbling the ball at pace as he'd do in 3 games combined.

[Sutekh]

[Snowflake Royal]

Risky to bring Mbengue straight back, he looks walking wounded every week.

[Clyde1998]

Basically the team I expected, aside from Knibbs not making the starting XI.