MATCH/PREVIEW THREAD :Cambridge Utd V Charlton Athletic : Pre-Season : Sat 26th July 2025 : KO 15:00

DyerConsequences · July 27

It's pre-season, anyone looking at the results and getting worked up over a draw with Cambridge needs to pull themselves together. For reference, a few other pre-season results for some championship teams this summer:

Birmingham - lost 3-0 to Northampton, 4-0 to Crewe and 1-0 to Burton
Derby - lost 2-1 to Burton, drew 1-1 with Matlock
Preston - lost 2-0 to Bolton
West Brom - lost 4-2 to Lincoln, lost 2-1 to Blackpool
Watford - drew 1-1 with both Wimbledon and Orient
Bristol city - drew 0-0 with Cheltenham
Stoke - lost 1-0 to Shrewsbury
Portsmouth - lost 1-0 to Crawley
QPR - drew 2-2 with Cardiff

RonnieMoore · July 27

Doc was very good in the Coventry role yesterday … so that’s your cover for Coventry if needed

CL_Phantom · July 27

Pre-season rules:

Win = Great season ahead, signings are mustard, 6 Gomez' coming through.

Draw/ Loss = Just fitness innit.

MuttleyCAFC · July 27

It was clear that we didn't play our best team. Some of it but not the whole of it and definitely not at the same time. Jones did similar last season. I don't get it because I think with a couple of weeks to go, you build towards your best team but Jones knows what he is doing and we started last season well so what do I know?

Steven81 · July 27

SteveACS said:

killerandflash said:

Asiimwe only coming on at 60 and still being subbed off was a harsh but correct call.

Maybe he felt a twinge? He's behind everyone as well, as he was involved in Walsall's play off games...

Possibly but I reckon he was hooked after constantly crossing it out for goal kicks and looking not up to it so the first candidate to come off for fullah.

WrightCharlie · July 27

raytreacy said:

Why pick Ahadme as a Sub and then not put him on? Don’t get me wrong I think he is dogshit but it appears he is being punished.

He took full part in the team/squad pre-match warm-up but when the subs did another session behind the goal during half time he wasn't part of it. Maybe he felt a bit of a twinge or something in the first warm-up and wasn't risked? Don't know really, if he's that far behind the likes of Godden etc. why would he even be out there for the first session?

AndyG · July 27

WrightCharlie said:

raytreacy said:

Why pick Ahadme as a Sub and then not put him on? Don’t get me wrong I think he is dogshit but it appears he is being punished.

He took full part in the team/squad pre-match warm-up but when the subs did another session behind the goal during half time he wasn't part of it. Maybe he felt a bit of a twinge or something in the first warm-up and wasn't risked? Don't know really, if he's that far behind the likes of Godden etc. why would he even be out there for the first session?

We didn’t want to give Bolton the chance to see him on the pitch ?

WrightCharlie · July 27

Only a friendly I know but thought Miles looked sharp and more like his old self...... it was good to see.

ross1 · July 27

Have I missed the video or is there none for Cambridge game?

Solidgone · July 27

Adhame still couldn’t get a run out…its not looking good for him for this season.

ForeverAddickted · July 27

ross1 said:

Have I missed the video or is there none for Cambridge game?

Nothing yet, but wonder if Admin were focusing on the Kelman signing, and haven't gotten round to uploading a Highlights package from the game yesterday.

Either that or they're still looking for the highlights...

soapboxsam · July 27

The Red Robin said:

Friendlies are purely about fitness, nothing else.

In the first friendly a player did a poor pass after 10 minutes and was slated 🤦🏻‍♂️Mainly about fitness and minutes in the legs and players getting used to new team mates.
By the last 'friendly' the analysts will let Jones know the levels everyone is at running and fitness wise and Nathan will have to decide who can be the starting 11, who can be the 9 on the bench and who will have to wait until the next game to be in contention.
Godden and Berry will have to get up to the required levels to make the bench for Watford it seems as limited pre season so far.

Oggy Red · July 27

MuttleyCAFC said:

It was clear that we didn't play our best team. Some of it but not the whole of it and definitely not at the same time. Jones did similar last season. I don't get it because I think with a couple of weeks to go, you build towards your best team but Jones knows what he is doing and we started last season well so what do I know?

All the squad need minutes and match fitness though.
Players need assessing and also keeps fringe players hungry for the shirt.

But it's not just about the starting 11.
There's 20 players needed for each match day squad.

Starting 11 and 'game finishers' from the bench - they all need to be match fit enough to play with intensity.
From now though, I reckon we'll see some key players play 90 minutes.

blackpool72 · July 27

raytreacy said:

Why pick Ahadme as a Sub and then not put him on? Don’t get me wrong I think he is dogshit but it appears he is being punished.

If the rumour of him going to Bolton is true then why risk him getting an injury and scuppering the deal.

wmcf123 · July 27

blackpool72 said:

raytreacy said:

Why pick Ahadme as a Sub and then not put him on? Don’t get me wrong I think he is dogshit but it appears he is being punished.

If the rumour of him going to Bolton is true then why risk him getting an injury and scuppering the deal.

I am sure that Bolton rumour isn’t true , albeit Cawley’s involvement might suggest otherwise . I suspect he fancied the trip to Cambridge to see old friends

Blucher · July 27

wmcf123 said:

blackpool72 said:

raytreacy said:

Why pick Ahadme as a Sub and then not put him on? Don’t get me wrong I think he is dogshit but it appears he is being punished.

If the rumour of him going to Bolton is true then why risk him getting an injury and scuppering the deal.

I am sure that Bolton rumour isn’t true , albeit Cawley’s involvement might suggest otherwise . I suspect he fancied the trip to Cambridge to see old friends

I believe that, but for fitness issues, Ahadme would have gone to Cambridge on loan in January.

Let’s see what happens with Bolton. I suspect it will be a loan deal but it will help us in trimming the squad and (to a limited extent) the wage bill, whilst giving the lad the opportunity to play some football and revive his career.

wolfgang · July 27

golfaddick said:

Shame to be missing some key players already.....Godden, Ramsey & Berry would make a difference. I hope they are fit for the start of the season, but iirc both Godden & Berry missed the start of last season. Need to get on top of these "niggles" as we need to start the season strong.

Keep up, Golfie. We have signed some players while you were napping. Berry is no longer a "key" player, or if he is, it is the key to the garden toolshed and not to the main residence.