Cambridge United boss Shaun Derry points to quality of League Two

No room for error in tight division

Shaun Derry believes the tight nature of Sky Bet League Two just illustrates the quality in the division this season.

Portsmouth, tomorrow’s visitors to the Cambs Glass Stadium, are in fifth place with 21 points, while Exeter are just eight points off the south coast side, even though they are in 23rd.

Cambridge United sit in 19th place with 16 points, just four points off the play-off places.

So for all but five teams in the division, a win or a defeat can make a vast difference to the league position come the final whistle.

“The league table is incredibly close, you can throw a blanket over about 12 clubs,” said U’s boss Derry.

“It’s a win that can propel you into the top seven, it’s a loss that can get you into the bottom half of the table – it’s so tight, fine lines.

“I think that just highlights the quality of League Two. I’d like us to look at it as a positive and say that in terms of clubs being given the green light to improve their squads over the summer, a lot have.

“A lot have made some fantastic acquisitions to their squads this year, but there are still loads of games to play.

“It’s still really early. I thought it would have probably levelled out around this time where you would get a definitive league table, but I don’t think it has.

“I think we’re probably another six, seven, eight games away from seeing the league table probably going forward to what it’s possibly going to be like for the rest of the season.”

After the U’s slow start to the season, they are now on a good run of form.

And Derry is eager to see that continue against Pompey.

“There are going to be times when we’re going to face opposition where it will be difficult for us,” he said.

“We’re hopeful that’s not going to be this weekend.

“We want to be able to take what’s been a really positive last six games into a home performance against an incredibly talented squad in Portsmouth and do ourselves justice.”

There will also be a poignant return to the U’s for fan Simon Dobbin, who will be back at the stadium for the first time since he was attacked at Southend 15 months ago.

“I think it’s going to be incredibly emotional this weekend not just for Simon and his family, but I think for every Cambridge United fan,” said Derry.

“We’ve all been kept up to speed with the journey that him and his family have been on this last 15 months.

“It was a tragic, tragic situation that took place and once again the club have shown the fantastic support mechanism that we’re able to give people associated with our football club.

“To see him back at the ground this weekend will hopefully give everybody a boost, and he has and will always continue to be given full support from us as a football club and a community.”