Cambridge United captain Paul Digby thriving on adapting to different threats posed in League One
Paul Digby is in his element adapting to the different challenges faced by Cambridge United in Sky Bet League One.
The U’s are preparing to face a possession-led side in Charlton Athletic tomorrow (Saturday, August 20), having already been up against some more direct opposition already this campaign.
You imagine that the two styles - passing dominated or more long ball - would pose extremely different questions of players, but Digby has no preference on which he would rather be up against, being happy to change to whatever the game demands.
“It’s a completely different threat but if they’re going long then you’ve got to be more physical and more aggressive,” said the central midfielder.
“You’ve got to adapt your game. We’ve come up against these different teams so far this season - MK Dons will play out from the back, Oxford are looking to play a bit more and then other teams are going long.
“You just have to adapt and, personally, I try to adapt my game and make sure I know who I’m playing against, and the style they’re going to play.
“As a team as well, I think it’s good that so far this season we’ve adapted well to different game plans that the manager has given us and hopefully we can keep doing that.”
It is perhaps no surprise when Digby points out some of the major demands of the two particular styles, particularly when up against a team with a more direct approach.
“You definitely know that you’ve been in for a game, especially in League One and League Two," he said.
“There are a lot of physical teams, and definitely that aspect you definitely get more whacks when you’re playing against a physical team.
“But, as well, when you’re playing against a team that is knocking the ball around and playing you have to be more sharp, maybe, and it takes a different toll on your body that way.”
Being up against a more possession-led side also does require a slightly different mental approach - from the perspective of being a central midfielder, it almost means having eyes in the back of your head.
“[You have to be] really switched on, and it definitely poses a different challenge for you,” said Digby.
“In League One a lot of the time, as much as you might have players in front of you, you’ve got to make sure you’re aware of what’s going on behind you.
“Like the other night, there were wingers coming in off the side and you’ve got to make sure you know where they are because if they are picking up pockets of space behind you, you’ve got to be aware of that.
“There are good No 10s as well, and you’ve got to be aware of where they are at all times. They are definitely different challenges you’ve got to be aware of.”
He added: “I like them all [the challenges], but it’s interesting because I feel like in League One there are really good physical teams and there are really good teams that want to play as well.
“Every game there are different challenges so you’ve definitely got to adapt a lot.”
Charlton have undergone a significant transformation in their style since United faced them at The Valley last season, now opting for a much more possession-led approach.
It ended up being a 2-0 defeat for the U’s, but it was arguably one of their best away performances of the campaign as if they had taken their openings it could have been a very different story.
“We were fantastic at Charlton last year, and created some really good chances,” said Digby.
“If we put them away it’s a different game, but I thought we did really well there last year.
“Hopefully we can have another good performance and get the result because that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s all right saying we played well, we created chances, but we all know that we need to put them away and win games of football.”
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