U’s Squad Ready To Go

U’s boss Joe Dunne is looking ahead to this weekend’s opener at Gillingham with a fully-fit squad to choose from, and a squad that has started to enforce the philosophy that the Irishman has been looking to introduce.

Ever since Dunne took the managerial hotseat for himself, the 40-year-old has insisted upon quick, passing football with a flowing system that involves the players being comfortable on the ball and brave in their decision-making.

And, following a busy pre-season schedule that saw injuries to Josh Thompson, Brian wilson and a scare for new signing Craig Eastmond, the U’s manager is feeling fortunate to have a full squad to pick from for Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

‘Craig, Brian and Josh are all getting back now and we’ll be in a situation that every manager wants to be in, which is a fully fit team at the end of pre-season,’ he told the official site.

‘That’s a credit to the medical staff and the way that we’ve managed our pre-season schedule.’

The pre-season has seen the U’s put in respectable performances against West Ham and Tottenham from the Premier League as well as solid wins against many local, non-league opposition.

But the most important thing for Dunne has been a first pre-season in charge of his side, with his players, and the opportunity to drill home his style of play and team shapes.

The proof will be in the proverbial pudding on Saturday and in the forthcoming weeks as the U’s embark on their new campaign, but Dunne had a few messages for his players to keep their belief.

‘The important thing is for them to keep believing in what I ask them to do,’ he explained. ‘We want to play a certain way, instil a good philosophy into the whole club and it will be tough at times.

‘You can’t play that way all the time, but pre-season has given us the chance to nail it into them.

‘It won’t happen overnight and it’s a work-in-progress, but they need to be brave, confident and, if they drift away, they’ll get a nudge as the competition is fierce.’


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