‘We want to be moving up table’
CAMBRIDGE United head coach Garry Monk has expressed his hope that the club will be “looking up rather than looking down” the League One table during their upcoming campaign.
The U’s get their season underway at Stockport County this afternoon, 5.30pm kick-off, with Monk’s side starting against last season’s League Two champions.
United are entering their fourth consecutive season at League One and after avoiding the drop on the final day in successive years, Monk is eager for a more positive campaign.
“I think the obvious [aim] would be that we’re not facing last-day situations, and the threat of survival and relegations, and that nervousness around it,” the U’s boss admitted.
“Our idea is to be well away from that situation, and progressing, looking up rather than looking down.
“Obviously hopefully we can do it, and the idea is to do it in a much better way of playing, and much more enjoyable way of playing, and much more enjoyable way of watching it for our fan base. That’s our hopes.
“I’ve not put a target shall we say, or a specific number or place in the league, we have to take it game by game.
“I think that benefits us to do it like that, especially when you’re starting something new, and something different that a lot of these players haven’t done before at this club.
“I understand that, and I’ve been through it myself as a player. I was at a club where we completely changed our style of play, and if I’m honest with you, it took us three years to get to a level of competence doing it.
“I’m not stupid, I haven’t got three years of grace, we have to win games, so we’re trying to do it in the right way, do it with progression, and understand that takes time, but understand we have to win games and get points. That’s what we’ll be looking to do.”
United’s first test is against a side that recorded 92 points from 46 games in the fourth tier last term, the Hatters claiming their third promotion and league title in six seasons.
Monk acknowledged the U’s face a challenging opening-day prospect, but wants his side’s focus to primarily be on their own game plan.
“All credit to them, they had a fantastic season. They come up with a lot of power and investment, and ambition. We’re well aware of what
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“We’ve all been involved in situations where you’ve got a promotion, and then the fan base for the next season, that first game of the season, especially being a home game for Stockport, and that type of team, it’s going to be a real buoyant atmosphere, and the players are going to be ready for it.
“They’re going to be aggressive and try to really go front foot with us, but we’re preparing for that. It’s fine, we need to know what they’re going to do. We understand their circumstance, but really we’re focused on ourselves.
“We want to try to make impressions of what we’re doing as strong as we can. There is a focus on the opposition always, but if I’m honest, the biggest focus is always going to be on ourselves.”