D3D4 Cambridge United correspondent and panellist on Under the Abbey Stand Podcast, Tom Walker, is hoping that Joe Dunne can continue to drive the U’s forward in 2018/19…

Last season was…

Boring, but at the same time very interesting. On the pitch, until his eventual departure in February (fittingly, following a 0-0 draw), it was typical Shaun Derry-ball. Boring, defensive football, with almost no intention of anything else, despite having the players to do so. However, following a complete revamp of the club at board level, with long serving Chairman Dave Doggett, and CEO Jez George leaving their roles, we go into the new season almost unrecognisable from the club which started the last one. Regarding on pitch matters, watching the U’s was a far more enjoyable experience post-Derry, as his assistant, Joe Dunne, took temporary charge, which saw the long suffering United faithful provided with a much more entertaining brand of football, with a young, exciting squad of players finally looking like they were playing to their potential. As for the highlights of 2017/18? The revelation of Jevani Brown was surely among them, alongside the hugely improved form of George Maris post-Christmas, both of whom have attracted interest from Championship clubs during the summer months. We also saw the comeback of Barry Corr, for the millionth time, which was pretty fun.

This season will be different because…

Two words: Joe Dunne. He’ll be working with exactly the same group of players who, had the season started the day that Dunne had taken over, would’ve been among the contenders for automatic promotion. The football under Dunne has been exciting, we’ve looked to attack, we’ve made the most of the attacking talent at the club, we’ve scored goals in abundance, and it’s just a much more enjoyable experience following the U’s with our Joe at the helm. If we can pick up where we left off, 2018/19 could be pretty special. Also, apparently somebody has set up a really good podcast about the U’s, called Under the Abbey Stand or something, you should probably give it a listen.

This summer’s transfer business has been…

Minimal. For a change, it hasn’t been a complete overhaul at the Abbey. In previous seasons we’ve made eight, nine, ten signings. This time? Just the three, at time of writing. George Taft signed a permanent deal following a successful (third) loan spell. Louis John joined from Sutton, who will provide competition across the defence, and forward Reggie Lambe was added to bring some dynamism and quality to our front line. In all honesty, the feeling among United fans is that we didn’t really *need* to do much business, given the way that Dunne has got the most from what he’s had at his disposal so far, and so with Ade Azeez and Emmanuel Osadebe returning from loan spells away, and the likes of Tom Knowles, Leon Davies and Harry Darling coming through the academy, we’re probably not that far away.

My expectation for the coming season is….

Play-offs. There is no doubt, we should be among the top seven this season. Even during the dark Derry days, we flirted with them, at least, so with a better Head Coach in place, we should be able to bridge the gap between perennial outsiders and genuine challengers. A lot will depend on the fitness of Barry Corr, though, who signed a short-term deal with the club following a prolific end to the season. If he can stay fit, and make thirty or so appearances, even if they’re from the bench, he’ll score the 15-20 goals that we’ve been missing since our return to the Football League.

If my team were a food they would be…

Mango. We probably wouldn’t be the first pick from the fruit bowl, but we’re pretty enjoyable and potentially quite exciting. Also, we’re a similar colour, which helps.