Makeshift right-back Dance happy to fill in for injury-ridden Town

DESPITE being targeted by Cambridge United on Tuesday night, makeshift right-back James Dance felt he coped well under their scrutiny, writes Mark Wood.

The U’s pinpointed Hatters’ summer signing all night as they triumphed 1-0 at Kenilworth Road and Dance admitted he was aware of the attention.

He said: “You could see what they are trying to do.

“First half we didn’t think we had any problems with it.

“They obviously do their homework and know I’m predominantly a right midfielder but happy to play anywhere and do my best when needed.

“The gaffer does quite a lot of work with me in training there which is nice. I’ve spoken to him a few times.

“I’ve played in centre midfield at Mansfield and if I play there I will do my best for him.

“I thought one-on-one I did OK. That (Peter) Winn’s a good player.

“It’s something I need to work on and have been in training.

“We have a few skilful players and it’s kept me on my toes.

“Everyone knows I like crossing the ball and whether it’s from right-back or right midfield that’s what I will do.”

But he admitted the players had been disappointed to lose out in a game in which they had bossed possession.

He continued: “We spent most of the first half in their half.

“We started the game well as well which makes it even harder to take.

“We were looking for a reaction and for whatever reason we haven’t got the win. I think we kept trying to get on the ball and play the way we want to play football. First half there was only one team in it.

“We came out for the second half and the gaffer told us to start bright because he thought we had taken our foot off the gas.

“Having said that they still haven’t created much. They had a couple of corners but we’re still very disappointed.

“The way we play football we are always going to dominate possession. We want the ball.

“The lads are brave and always want to get on it.

“They set up and made it difficult for us. We would rather get beat without seeing the ball.

“I’ve seen some teams sitting a lot more than they did and they will be delighted coming here, shutting up shop, not conceding and nicking a goal.

“Of course it’s a knock but we are still confident in the ability in the dressing room.

“It’s not ideal. It’s been a bad week really. Ever since the game last Saturday it’s been three poor games.

“We are not ringing any alarm bells just yet.”

On what more they could have done on finding themselves a goal down, Dance added: “To then try and find the mix of forcing the issue while trying to keep the ball is difficult.

“They are a good team and know what we are about and knew how to stop us. We could have possibly moved the ball a bit quicker all over the pitch.

“Once we went a goal down we possibly didn’t show the fightback we could have done if we had pinned them back a bit more.”