Cambridge United manager Money lambasts poor defending

04 March 2015 11:33

Cambridge United boss Richard Money has hit out at the poor defending once again in the 3-0 home defeat against relegation-fighting York City.

Prior to the game Money admitted that York could cause an upset but he couldn't have foreseen just how bad it would get at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.

"I certainly didn't see it coming, I didn't expect it given the way we've played in the last two games, especially after Saturday, but it was a poor performance and we ended up getting what we deserved." admitted a downhearted Money to BBC Cambridge Sport.

Wes Fletcher put the Minstermen ahead just before half time and Money knows that it was another mistake made by the United in a season that has been plagued by poor defending.

"The first goal was a poor goal, it's another mistake and we have to say that we've been like that all season.

"We haven't defended well enough in this league and that's a pretty simple statement.

"People may agree or not agree, but the simple facts are we haven't defended well enough all season in this league and that's why we are where are.

Two further quick-fire goals from York after the half time break put the game out of reach for Cambridge and Money echoed his thoughts.

"I'd guess if you take half time out of it, it's three goals again in 10 minutes and it would appear at the minute we either keep a clean sheet or concede three goals in 10 minutes, so it just reinforces what I've just said that we haven't defended well enough all season.

"It's obvious we have to do something about it, whether that's now or whether it's in the summer remains to be seen because it's not easy finding the right player.

"But they're the simple facts and if you can't play with any stability then your lack of confidence spreads through the team and you end up with a performance that's as disappointing as it was.

"I haven't seen the stats yet, but they've had maybe five or six shots and scored three and how many efforts we've had and haven't scored so disappointing." he said.

The stats would show that both Cambridge and York had equal opportunities with 12 attempts on goal apiece, the telling stat was that Cambridge only managed 2 of the 12 on target, with York hitting 4 out of 12 goal bound.

"If you don't defend when they ask questions well enough then like anybody else in this league they can score against you."

Shifting his focus to the future, Money admitted that is has been a fact-finding season following promotion and will be making changes at the end of the season to the squad.

"It's our first season back in the League and this season has been very much about finding who can and who can't and come the summer then people will find out what our decisions are."

Source: DSG