U's sign five and release six during busy summer
How did they do last season?
After a poor start to the campaign Shaun Derry’s men flirted with the play-offs before finishing 11th after winning 19 and losing 18 of their 46 games. They won more League games away from home (10) than they did at the Abbey Stadium.
Who stood out?
Attacking midfielder Luke Berry, who rejoined the club from Barnsley in 2015 having started his career in Cambridge’s youth academy, was top scorer with 17 goals. In the FA Cup tie against Coventry last December, Berry scored all four goals in the U’s 4-0 home win.
The Manager
Shaun Derry took over in November 2015, having already managed in League Two at Notts County. The former QPR and Crystal Palace midfielder made more than 600 appearances as a player and has a win ratio of 42% at the Abbey Stadium. Last month his job title was changed to Head Coach
Summer Moves
Derry has been very active in the transfer market this summer. Forwards Ben Williamson and Joe Pigott, midfielders James Dunne, Conor Newton and Dylan Williams and goalkeeper David Gregory were all released while Barry Corr, the midfielder who is also out of contract, may be offered a new deal as he recovers from a knee injury which restricted him to seven appearances last season. In addition, 33-year-old defender Mark Roberts was transfer-listed.
The most eye-catching of their recruits so far is striker Jabo Ibhere, who scored 14 goals for play-off semi-finalists Carlisle last season. He signed a one-year deal after turning down a new contract offer at Brunton Park so he could move back nearer his London home.
Carlisle have also signed winger David Amoo from Partick Thistle, for whom he made 71 appearances in the Scottish top flight, former Gillingham midfielder Emmanuel Osabede, Gary Deegan, a midfielder previously with Shrewsbury, and Bulgarian goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, who was released by Charlton at the end of the season.
Last season’s meetings
Cambridge did the double over Crawley last season. Despite taking the lead, Reds lost 3-1 to the U’s at the Checkatrade Stadium in November and Cambridge also won the return fixture 2-0 at the Abbey Stadium in April, in what turned out to be Dermot Drummy’s last League game in charge of the Reds.
The odds
Sky Bet have Cambridge at 16-1 to win League 2 next season.
Pictured: Cambridge have signed former Carlisle striker Jabo Ibehre, who scored in both meetings against the Reds for the Cumbrians last season
