Cambridge United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion: Five talking points from tonight’s friendly at the Abbey Stadium

Cambridge United won 1-0 against a young West Bromwich Albion side in their penultimate friendly of the summer under the Cledara Abbey Stadium lights on Friday.

It was another opportunity for the U’s players to get some crucial minutes in their legs ahead of the Sky Bet League One season opener away at newly-promoted Stockport County on 10 August.

Below are five talking points picked out by sports editor Liam Apicella from the clash against the youthful Baggies.

Midfield masterclass

There was so much to like about Korey Smith’s first appearance in United colours. Covered plenty of ground, quick into the tackle, happy to receive possession facing his own goal and rarely wasteful – it was the sort of midfield performance that has been lacking.

But while last season’s promotion winner with Derby County showed his undoubted quality, it was his all-round presence that stood out just as much.

The game was just five minutes old when he bellowed at fellow new signing Kell Watts to get in front of his man at a throw-in. Watts failed to heed Smith’s advice and West Brom subsequently got out of a potentially tricky situation – and Smith certainly was not shy in letting his team-mate know about it.

He constantly encouraged and cajoled and it was notable during a stoppage in play when head coach Garry Monk was talking to a number of the players on the sideline, Smith was locked in conversation with Zeno Ibsen Rossi, evidently passing on advice. The 33-year-old certainly has a big role to play on and off the pitch this season.

Three at the back

When United played with wing-backs towards the back-end of last season – and during the previous campaign for a spell under Mark Bonner – it very much felt like a back five, with the two out wide doing a lot more defending as opposed to venturing forward.

But during both of the previous weekend’s friendlies the wing-backs were operating much higher up the pitch – and it was the same against the Baggies.

It is certainly a tactic that suited Danny Andrew, who was often the out-ball down the left flank and the target for numerous long diagonal passes from Rossi. Andrew forced one fantastic save from Joe Wildsmith and also saw another goalbound effort blocked.

Granted the opposition has to be factored in and from Stockport onwards the wing-backs are going to be asked plenty more questions going the other way, but the intent definitely indicates a positive shift in mentality.

Press, press, press

Perhaps there will be certain opposition over the course of the season when Monk opts to sit a little deeper and allow sides to have the possession, but on this evidence more often than not they will try to win the ball back as high up the pitch as possible.

The two forwards – on this occasion it was Shayne Lavery and Elias Kachunga – along with the two attacking midfielders James Brophy and Sullay Kaikai created a box, designed to pen the opposition in or at the very least force them out wide. Even Smith playing in the solo holding role would on occasions jump out and join the quartet to apply added pressure.

It worked to perfection for the opening goal in the 11th minute when Lavery forced Reece Hall into giving away possession and the young defender compounded that mistake by upending the new United striker in the box. Lavery stepped up and coolly dispatched the resultant spot kick.

The right attitude

Speaking to the Cambridge Independent earlier in the week, Monk praised Jubril Okedina for his positive attitude since the players returned for pre-season. The centre-back was placed on the transfer list at the end of last season, but with Mamadou Jobe sidelined for the next few months, Monk suggested that Okedina could still have a future with the club.

The 23-year-old certainly backed up his manager’s words with his performance here. He did not look like a player feeling sorry for himself or one that is waiting for a move away – more someone determined to prove himself.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster made a particularly key sliding challenge in the sixth minute to halt a promising West Brom counter-attack and then five minutes after the restart showed his quality on the ball with a low cross that was begging to be scored – unfortunately none of his team-mates had gambled.

Mr Utility

He seems to split opinion among the fanbase, but James Brophy has already proven his worth to Monk this summer.

Brophy, who signed a new two-year contract earlier this summer having seen his previous deal expire, played in the wing-back position last weekend, while this evening he was one of the two attack-minded midfield players.

He possesses the ability to drive with the ball from midfield and draw fouls – both of which are key components in alleviating pressure and he showed both tonight.

His versatility is going to be useful as the months tick by and will likely see the 30-year-old creep closer towards the 200-appearance mark for the club.