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Colin Calderwood hopes Sam Smith can continue rich vein of form for Cambridge United




Sam Smith in action for Cambridge United. Picture: Richard Marsham
Sam Smith in action for Cambridge United. Picture: Richard Marsham

Colin Calderwood is hoping his star striker can rediscover his goal touch as Cambridge United make the long journey to Carlisle this weekend (November 23).

It will be the last in a trio of away games which began with defeat by Walsall in League Two last Saturday and continued with a 1-0 FA Cup replay defeat to Exeter City.

But Calderwood is hoping for a turn around in their league fortunes and believes Reading loanee Sam Smith could provide the key.

Smith has already scored seven goals this season and Calderwood is more than delighted with the return.

The United boss said: “Seven goals this season is a super return from him and when you look at his output, he’s a hard runner and does a lot of it at high intensity.

“But there are moments in his game where he has got to find concentration and awareness. I think it can really add to his game and round off what he is doing. He has improved his ball retention when he has got centre-halves and defenders around him.

“You can see there is a confidence in him. He has had his longest run of consecutive games and I hope he feels at home here, he certainly gives that impression.

“We like what we see in him, he has got a good personality and a selfish streak which is a forward’s trait, but we still have to give him the other bits to make him even better.

“It has to be repetition, nothing really changes from under-10-18s to 28, you’ve got to go out and redo what are real good basics and if you have that as a central theme in your game, it certainly helps lots of people.

“We have got to look as if we can score in every game and it is pleasing to get late goals because it shows good spirit. It shows a determination in the group.

“We look as though we never say die and that is a great trait to have. It also helps going forward because undoubtedly we’ll be behind in the last 10 minutes of games between now and the end of the season. Everyone has to take a bit of responsibility.”

United paid the price for a slow start as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Walsall.

Josh Gordon put the hosts in front after just 49 seconds, and Matt Sadler made it 2-0 after 10 minutes.

The visitors had chances in the second half but Harvey Knibbs’ goal in stoppage time proved to be a mere consolation for the U’s.



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