Cambridge United 4-4 Blackpool: Five talking points from eight-goal thriller at the Cledara Abbey Stadium

Now that the dust has settled after yesterday’s dramatic events at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, the Independent has looked back over Cambridge United’s eight-goal thriller with Blackpool to select five of the biggest talking points.

Defending a cause for anger

Monk was massively conflicted during his post-match media duties, describing himself as both ‘angry and happy’. The anger came from the way in which his side defended throughout the contest, both at set-pieces and from open play.

The statistics will tell you that Blackpool are one of the most threatening sides in the division at corners, and Monk revealed that his squad had spent plenty of time in the week preparing for that. So, to see James Husband – a scorer of just nine goals across a career that has spanned more than 350 appearances – afforded the time and space to head home at the back post from two identical Lee Evans corners will have been the source of great frustration. Conceding such a goal can happen once, but making the same error twice? It does not look good. On both occasions Husband appeared to wriggle free of James Brophy, who was substituted at half-time.

And it was not just deliveries into their box where the U’s struggled. They gave up three one-on-one chances over the course of the 90 minutes and conceded from two of those.

United are a side that has shipped seven goals in the first three league games of the season – only Blackpool and Mansfield Town have leaked more in League One. Whether it be personnel or shape, Monk – a centre-back in his playing days – is likely to be plotting alterations to stem the flow.

Shayne shows scoring touch

While the way in which his side defended was a cause for much head scratching, Monk was pleased with the attacking element in the last half an hour or so – and he was particularly happy for Shayne Lavery after he opened his account for the club.

Monk waxed lyrical about the Northern Ireland international in the build up to the match, praising his all-round game since joining the club from Blackpool in the summer. He also revealed that he had spoken with Lavery about managing frustration levels as he looked for a first goal in Cambridge colours.

And if there was any irritation simmering, it will have threatened to boil over when Lavery volleyed in a left-wing cross from Danny Andrew shortly after the U’s had fallen behind for the first time, only to see his celebrations cut short by the assistant’s flag.

Thankfully he did not have to wait too much longer, though, as he applied the finishing touch to Brophy’s low cross in the 28th minute. And as is often the case for strikers, one goal is soon followed by another, with Lavery’s second of the game earning his side the most unlikely of points. If the celebration for his first goal had been slightly muted out of respect to his former employers, he certainly let rip this time as he wheeled away towards the Newmarket Road End with arms outstretched.

Those goals were the first Lavery that has scored since the middle of his February – the challenge now is for it to become the norm.

Brandon’s big moment

Who knows what the long-term future holds for Njoku, but whatever happens nobody can take away the fact that he now has a Football League goal to his name. And what an important goal it was, coming with his first touch after being introduced as a substitute. It reduced United’s arrears to 4-3 and it gave the Abbey the belief that the seemingly impossible was in fact possible.

And it was not just his goal – the 19-year-old was a real menace for the Blackpool defence. Njoku was fouled twice during his 20 minutes on the pitch, which is more than any Cambridge player and he also supplied two key passes (the final pass leading to a shot at goal) – again, a team high.

Lavery, who assisted Njoku, said of his young team-mates’ impact: “He was a great help. I was out on my feet for the last 10 minutes and he gave their back three all sorts of problems running in behind. He’s so quick, sharp and he took his goal really well. Hopefully he can kick on from here.”

With at least one more forward likely to join the club before the transfer window closes and Ryan Loft thought to be not too far away from returning from injury, the likelihood is that Njoku will slip down the pecking order at some stage and perhaps a loan move will eventually materialise. Yet, he has certainly provided a buzz to the United attack during his two appearances this term.

Stokes shines on debut

Rumour has it then when Bristol City signed Stokes from non-league Aldershot Town last January, they beat off competition from 30 other Football League clubs for his signature. And there was also a lot of interest in the 20-year-old when the Robins decided to loan him out earlier in the week, with Cambridge winning that particular race.

Now, while the sample size is only currently 45 minutes, on this evidence the attacking midfielder showed just why there have been so many willing suitors.

The statistics tell one side of it. For example, Stokes attempted 21 passes – 10 more than the player that he replaced at the break (Brophy). That return of passes was in fact more than any of United’s attacking players attempted throughout the whole of the contest.

But while statistics can always be useful, you should also rely on what you see with your own eyes – and that is where Stokes really impressed. He consistently demanded the ball – even in congested areas – and always played on the half turn. There was one moment in particular that stood out when after some frantic United defending inside their box the ball broke for Stokes, who rather than hack it clear to nobody, showed good strength to hold off his opponent and then calmly stroked the ball out wide to get his team away on the counter-attack.

He also showed a real willingness to work without the ball, with his pressing leading to Njoku’s goal and he was also fouled for the free-kick that Andrew fired in.

You could see Stokes’ frustration that he fired his left-footed shot straight at Richard O’Donnell in stoppage time, but all in all it was a very promising start to his stint at the Abbey.

Subs stand up

The aforementioned Njoku and Stokes both came off the bench, as did recent arrival Emmanuel Longelo. Njoku obviously scored and Stokes was heavily involved in goals two and three, while the left-footed Longelo played a key role in the equaliser – teeing up Lavery to slot the ball in.

It is the sort of impact that a manager is always looking for from his substitutes and a far cry from a week earlier when the U’s were beaten 1-0 at home by Crawley.

On that occasion Elias Kachunga picked up a hamstring injury shortly after coming on, while Taylor Richards looked a long way short of match sharpness – and it has since been revealed that he is being troubled by a previous injury.