COLIN’S CHALLENGE
Colin Calderwood takes the reins at Cambridge United
NEW Cambridge United boss Colin Calderwood says he has “no issues” with working as a head coach at the Abbey.
Unlike the majority of clubs in League Two, the U’s operate a continental model with head of football Ben Strang and director of football Graham Daniels conducting the club’s transfer business.
Speaking after an underwhelming summer in the transfer market, Daniels said it was the responsibility of erstwhile manager Joe Dunne to make the best of what he was given.
“The resources are our problem, not his,” he said. “And he’s our appointment, so it’s our fault, not his, if things go wrong.”
But when results nosedived and the U’s slipped into the League Two quagmire, it was Dunne who got the bullet. Calderwood, though, insists he is happy to focus on the football.
“It’s not something I’m settling for,” said the Scot, who has spent the last seven years working as a No.2 to Chris Hughton at Birmingham, Brighton and Norwich before taking a similar role under Steve Bruce at Aston Villa.
“I actually think the layers within the football department are essential now. It takes so many hours and minutes and jobs away from the manager if you’ve got confidence in other people to do those things. You can concentrate on football.
Structure
“I like that structure and that was another reason for taking the job. It’s running the way they want it and if we do tweak things it’ll be to suit both the club and myself.”
On the pitch, the ex-Spurs defender has promised to bring a blend of fun and simplicity to the U’s survival fight.
“It’s about enjoyment,” added the 53-year-old former Northampton, Nottingham Forest and Hibs boss. “Simple principles. Run hard. Run fast if you can. If you score the first goal, go for the second.
“It’s safe soccer at the minute. We have to graduate to being a dominant team. To do that we have to be an ugly, ugly team to face. We have to make this a place nobody wants to visit.
“At the minute, we’re a team that others think they can have a go at. But I said to the players on day one that that they must have talent otherwise they wouldn’t be professional footballers. So let’s go. Wipe our faces, pull our socks up and get to work.”