Cambridge United have been able to do their homework on FA Cup opponents Bracknell Town
In years gone by, Cambridge United head coach Mark Bonner may not have been too clued up on this weekend’s opponents in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Visiting Bracknell Town ply their trade at Step 3 in the non-league pyramid – the same level as the likes of St Ives Town and Royston Town.
However, in this day and age, footage of semi-professional football clubs is more readily available, which means Bonner and his coaching staff have been able to prepare in a not too dissimilar manner to Sky Bet League One matches.
He said: “Footage is more available now then it’s ever been so we’ve got plenty of footage.
“Jack (Cassidy, senior PDP coach) went to watch them last week in a league game so we’ve had some games watched live, we’ve had some games watched on video – we’ve had plenty of opportunity to watch them. We’ll be well equipped going into the game.
“They’ve had a decent start, certainly in the cup. They’ve got good pace in wide positions, cross the ball well and can play and build from deep in the pitch. They’ve shown good counter-attacking threat as well.
“It’s football – it’s fairly simple in terms of the game that we know is coming and things we need to be aware of. And fairly simple in terms of the things we’ve got to do well.
“The strength of our game recently has been executing the simple things well. That’s difficult to do at times, but they’re simple in terms of the understanding.
“That’s what we’ve got to do, to get to that level to be the best we can and make sure we have a real good control of the game with the ball and a real threat and edge about us with our attacking play. And defensively make sure we work at the level that we have in the last week.”
Bonner also revealed that late checks will be made on the fitness of Gassan Ahadme (foot) and Sullay Kaikai (dead leg).
Both Ahadme and fellow loanee John-Kymani Gordon have been granted permission by their parent clubs to play for the U’s in the competition.
