Assistant head coach Adam Barrett has called for patience as Cambridge United's new-look defence continues to gel. The U's have conceded eight goals in their opening five League One fixtures and are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Barrett works closely with the defensive unit in training and spoke to the Cambridge Independent this week. He pointed to the significant turnover in personnel over the summer. Experienced defenders James Gibbons, Mamadou Jobe, and the retiring Michael Morrison all departed. Their replacements are a mix of seasoned campaigners and young prospects.
Who are the new faces in defence?
Cambridge United brought in 33-year-old Patrick Bauer to add experience. The club also signed three defenders in their early twenties: Callum Perry, Sam Curtis, and Cathal Hefferan. Barrett noted that the latter trio have limited Football League experience. Cathal Hefferan's introduction was particularly abrupt. "Cathal has just come through the door," Barrett said. "He’s hardly had any training days with us, and he was straight into the baptism of fire at Bradford."
The defensive rebuild comes after a historically strong season. In the 2025/26 campaign, Cambridge United conceded fewer goals than every team except Arsenal across England's top four divisions. That solidity has been harder to find early this term. The U's drew 2-2 with Burton Albion in their most recent match yesterday.
How does the current backline compare?
While new signings settle, the club is also developing players who were already at the Abbey Stadium. Kell Watts and Liam Bennett have now been with Cambridge United for twelve months. Zak Bradshaw, who saw little action last season, is getting his first proper exposure to League One football. This creates a blend of youth and inexperience across the backline.
"We’ve got quite a young and inexperienced back five, so it will take time," Barrett admitted. The focus is on continuous improvement on the training ground as partnerships develop. Fans can track the development of the entire squad on the club's official squad page.
What is Cambridge United's current league position?
Despite the defensive challenges, results have been respectable. Cambridge United currently sit 6th in the League One standings. They have taken eight points from their first five games, with a record of two wins, two draws, and one loss. Their recent form reads DWLDW.
The team has scored nine goals while conceding eight, giving them a +1 goal difference. They are four points behind early leaders Sheffield Wednesday. This positive start provides a platform to build from as the defensive unit finds its feet.
What is next for the U's?
Attention now turns to the next fixture, which offers a chance to build momentum at home. Cambridge United host Reading at the Abbey Stadium on September 12th. Reading are currently 8th in the table, setting up a closely contested match between two sides in the upper half. You can view the full schedule on the club's fixtures page.
The match against Reading represents the next test for Barrett's developing defence as they aim for that first clean sheet of the campaign.
