Barnsley win was deserved, but U’s must back it up now, says Gibbons
UNITED FACE WIGAN ATHLETIC AT ABBEY TODAY
CAMBRIDGE United loanee James Gibbons is looking for his side to back up their impressive victory at Barnsley against Wigan Athletic this afternoon.
The U’s gave their League One survival hopes a much-needed boost on Good Friday with a 2-0 win at Oakwell, as they registered victory away to a side that are currently occupying a play-off spot.
United now return to the Abbey in a quick turnaround over the Easter weekend for a clash at home to 12thplaced Wigan Athletic, 3pm kick-off, and Gibbons is eager for his side to put in another good showing.
Reflecting on the win at Barnsley, Gibbons told his club’s website: “The last two results were disappointing, and I think it hurt the lads, and I think you could see today, we owed ourselves, the manager and the fans a reaction – and I think we certainly gave that.
“It was a proper dogged away performance, a well-deserved win. A good goal from Gassan (Ahadme), a great header and he was unbelievable when he came on.
“Much-needed, but we’ve got to build on it now. We’ve got another game coming around thick and fast on Monday, and then away at Blackpool next week, so we’ve got to follow it on.
“I think everyone looks forward to the Easter weekend, it’s always a good weekend of football, never mind off the back of a 2-0 away win at Barnsley. I’m looking forward to it (the Wigan game), I hope the fans are. It will be rocking, and hopefully we can put in a good performance.”
The U’s had a slice of good fortune in their win at Oakwell, with Mael de Gevigney gifting the visitors a 13thminute lead with a backpass that went straight past goalkeeper Liam Roberts and into the net.
Ahadme headed home United’s second 18 minutes from time to seal the victory, and Gibbons praised a committed performance from his side.
“I think that’s the luck we needed, the first goal,” the defender added.
“You could arguably say nothing’s really fallen for us. We had a couple of chances second half at Reading that didn’t really break, so I think we were due one like that. It just gave the lads so much confidence.
“I think you could see the lads were just fighting for each other for every ball, second balls, the lads that came on. It was a pleasure to play in to be honest, knowing that the lads next to you are willing to fight for you. We all go the extra yard for each other, and I think you could see that today.”
The victory was Garry Monk’s first since taking charge, after a difficult first few weeks in the hotseat.
The U’s were thumped 6-0 at Lincoln City and 4-0 at Reading in their previous two outings, and Gibbons highlighted the importance of the international break that followed those defeats that offered his side a chance to reset. “I think looking back, it’s probably done us the world of good, having that little break,” the Bristol Rovers loanee said.
“The gaffer worked on a few things, changed the shape today, I thought they couldn’t really get to grips with it, with how we played first half.
“Some good patterns, and then we were hard to beat as well, so I think that break probably did us the world of good. As much as you look forward to the next game, I think looking back now, that break was definitely a positive.”
I think everyone looks forward to the Easter weekend, it’s always a good weekend of football.