Liverpool grounding helps Conor Masterson and Lloyd Jones partnership at Cambridge United
Conor Masterson has settled in with ease to life at Cambridge United.
It has been an instant adjustment for the 23-year-old to life at the Abbey, and that includes being thrown in at the deep end for his debut.
After injuries to Greg Taylor and Jubril Okedina, he was parachuted in on loan from QPR until January and had one training session before making his debut in the 1-0 win over Burton Albion, alongside former team-mate Lloyd Jones.
“It’s been a privilege to be here, I’m really enjoying it so far,” said Masterson.
“What I really like about this group is the togetherness of it is really strong, the players are a really tight-knit group and they just really get on with each other off the pitch as well.
“Basically, I was with him (Jones) for years and he was kind of the one I went to when I came in because I knew him and it made it easier for me to settle in. But to be honest, the lads here are a really good bunch. I settled really quickly.”
Masterson and Jones were team-mates during their youth days at Liverpool, and you got the sense of that understanding in the wins over Burton and Bolton Wanderers, with the 5-1 defeat to Lincoln City in their last game described as a one-off for the team.
“We know each other inside out, and so it’s been really good to play with him at the minute and I think we’re both benefitting from playing with each other, we know each other’s strengths,” said Masterson.
“I think it’s massive to be honest because you know each other and you know what to expect from each other.
“Communication is very important in that specific position because obviously if we make a mistake, it’s more likely it’s going to be a goal, so it’s massive.
“I just think the way it’s been going and the way me and Lloyd have been speaking and communicating, on and off the pitch, has been really good.
“It’s going well at the minute, obviously Saturday was a bit of a blip but I think it was just one of those days.”
Masterson believes that, having gone 1-0 down inside the first minute, the U’s made a mistake in chasing the game against Lincoln, and admits that lessons have been learnt.
And the U’s are eager to make amends at Portsmouth tomorrow (September 18).
“We just want to put things right really because we know it was a bit of a blip on Saturday,” he said.
“We know we’re better than that, and we know we’re much stronger than that so we just want to go out and show everyone what we are about.”
Masterson added: “I’m buzzing to be honest because of the atmosphere and fans, and they are obviously a decent team but we have good players in our squad as well so we will do well hopefully.
“We’re really looking forward to the game.”
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