The Opposition View: Cambridge United

Last updated : 15 August 2014 By Jim Bonner

What are your aims and expectations for your team this season now you've watched them back in the Football League?

The answer to this questions varies wildly between Cambridge fans. I'd personally be content with 22nd and continued league football (though my heart may not like that outcome!) but some U's fans are hoping for play offs! I think others' expectations may be too high because this is a tough league.

What is your opinion on Richard Money?

He's a legend! At the moment, he's recognised as the hero who ended our nine year sentence in non-league football by our fan base. From a more rational perspective, he's very astute tactically and doesn't give much away - we're rarely out of games. He's got a refreshingly honest character which is often sadly missed in football.

I guess some would question his temperament but he held it together last year when certain sections of our fanbase clearly lost it.

John Sullivan and Ryan Bird spent some time at Cambridge last season. What are your opinions of them?

It's hard to be polite about John Sullivan! Under Chris Maxwell, we conceded 2 home league goals in our first 10 games, under Sullivan we reached this after 25 minutes or so. He was a very unsettling keeper and it wasn't a surprise to anyone when his stay with us ended!

Ryan Bird was an excellent centre forward, a player we all really liked and wanted here this season. He scored an excellent couple of goals in the FA Trophy against Grimsby in the semi-final and our opener in the final. Very good player, one whose progress we'll no doubt continue to monitor.

Who are the key players in your team?

Josh Coulson at centre back has become a real rock for us, as has Tom Champion in centre midfield. Ryan Donaldson is something of a cult hero after his Wembley exploits last term while Kwesi Appiah is always a threat up top.

What are the biggest strengths of this U's side?

Unity probably. I'd say we are probably weaker player for player than a lot of clubs in the decision but there's a phenomenol team spirit that I've not seen at the club for a long time.

Aside from this, we are pretty solid defensively. Rarely give a lot away.

What are the biggest weaknesses in your team that Pompey may exploit on Saturday?

It's hard to tell at this early stage but I think there are done question marks over our keeper Chris Dunn. I've not seen enough to judge but the jury's definitely still out.

We are obviously light in football league experience so we're a little naive at times. We've given away possession on the edge of our box a couple of times and we're punished dearly against Birmingham midweek.

Finally, we're not very clinical at the moment. We're improving but we still need too many good chances before we take one for my liking.

What kind of match are you expecting at Fratton Park?

A very tough one. Portsmouth seemed to turn he corner towards the end of last season and put a good run together. As the biggest club in the league, a bit of momentum will be hard to stop once it gets up a head of steam. Hopefully we've caught you early enough for you to be in full flow.

The atmosphere should be great, hope we grow into it and embrace it rather than being overawed by it.

Predict the outcome of the game.

1-1 draw. Us to start tentatively and Portsmouth to come flying at us before us getting our act together on the second half, to the delight of the Amber Nation.