Former Premier League boss given vote of confidence by League One club despite being on track to beat Derby's 11-point season
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Cambridge United’s owners and board conceded they are in a ‘tough moment’ amid a disastrous start to the League One season.
The club has one point from nine games this season and have lost eight, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the third division.
Cambridge has also scored only six goals – four of which came in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Blackpool in the second game of the campaign.
The poor results prompted the club to issue a joint statement where they declared embattled boss Garry Monk must have his team ‘in a competitive position’ at the end of the year if there is to be any chance of preserving their League One status.
“There is no sugar coating how poor our results have been,” a club statement read.
“The reasons may be many and varied – and some of the underlying statistics may tell a more positive story – but in the end we all know football is a results business.”
The statement also pointed out the club significantly boosted its playing budget but the approach has been ‘really tested’ due to several long-term injuries.
“This is said as context but not as an excuse, and we are all acutely aware that results do need to improve – and quickly,” the statement added.
“We need to be in a competitive position come the turn of the year to have a realistic chance of preserving our League One status.
“We know how hard Garry, the staff and players are working. There is no shortage of endeavour, focus and togetherness within the group.
“The international break now gives everyone a chance to regroup, refocus and then really attack the coming critical period of games.”
Should Cambridge maintain their form for the rest of the 46-game League One season, they would eclipse Derby County‘s record-low points tally.
The Rams infamously came last in the 2007-08 Premier League season when they accrued a measly 11 points.
As it stands, Cambridge United are on pace to accrue 5 points.
Monk took over the reins at Abbey Stadium in March when he replaced Neil Harris who joined Millwall.
However, the former Swansea City and Leeds United boss has won just two of his 23 games in charge.
Monk’s side face a tough task to arrest their troubling form in the first game after the international break as they face Wigan Athletic on October 19.
Although the Latics sit 15th, they have conceded just five goals, the fewest in the division.
