Cambridge United’s poor start to the season continued as they suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of Matt Taylor’s Bristol Rovers.
The U’s made the trip to the Memorial Stadium in what was their second away game of the season. After an impressive comeback against Blackpool, Cambridge were hoping to capitalise on Bristol Rovers’ winless form.
All did not go to plan, however, with Bristol Rovers’ record signing, Promise Omochere, netting twice, once on either side of halftime, to score his first goals in blue and white. His efforts were enough to secure the victory for the hosts, moving the Gas up to 9th in the table.
Omochere saw his deflected effort in the first half bobble over Norwich City loanee keeper Vicente Reyes to give Taylor’s side the lead going into the break. It didn’t take the 23-year-old long to double his tally, with a well-taken finish into the bottom corner doubling the hosts’ advantage three minutes into the second half.
Despite Garry Monk’s side dominating possession, they only managed one shot on target, meaning Josh Griffiths picked up his third clean sheet of the season.
Unlike the Gas, Cambridge remain winless in League One this season. They have picked up one point out of a possible 12, and currently sit 23rd at the foot of the table.
Speaking to the Cambridge Independent, manager Monk said
“The overall feeling is that for all of the good play we’re having, it’s the goals that we’re conceding. They’re poor goals to concede when you look across the games since the start of the season. We’ve conceded pretty much across-the-board poor goals which are really avoidable. If we can get them out of our game we’ll be in great positions to take points. Even in the game today, it wasn’t like they were cutting us open or peppering our goal.
“We had some good spells with the ball but it’s those really avoidable goals that are letting us down at the moment. If we can eradicate them from our game we’ll be a super competitive team and be in positions to take points. But you can’t keep putting yourselves on the back foot and giving yourself a mountain to climb.”
Cambridge’s next match is against League Two’s Bromley in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
Writer’s View
Despite only being four games into the campaign, Cambridge already look like they are going to struggle to be competitive in the division this season. Although the comeback against Blackpool will give U’s fans some hope, their fourth season in the league is looking to be the hardest, with the strength of League One this season.
Even though Monk’s comments about the game and the manner of the goals are fairly positive, a lot of work seems like it needs to be done on the training ground for Cambridge to be competitive against other sides.
Although Monk has recruited well in the window, bringing in 11 new players, it is no secret that their squad looks immeasurably weaker than other clubs in League One. The U’s will do well to survive the drop this season.
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