Neil Harris: Cambridge United boss hails team's patience & discipline
- Published
Neil Harris was appointed by Cambridge following the sacking of Mark Bonner
Cambridge boss Neil Harris hailed his squad's ability to absorb information after extending their unbeaten run since he was appointed to three games.
The former Cardiff, Millwall and Gillingham boss took charge at the Abbey Stadium on 6 December.
And Friday's 2-0 home win over Exeter City made it seven points out of nine since then.
"That's three different shapes we've played against in two weeks," Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"To coach three shapes, and how we're going to press, and how we're going to build play, I do it in different ways - and for the players to take on the info, they've had to be really patient and really disciplined."
Goals by Gassan Ahadme - his third successful penalty in as many games - and Elias Kachunga gave them victory over the Grecians and lifted the U's to 13th in League One.
Ahadme, who is on loan from Ipswich Town, now has six goals in his last six appearances.
"He wasn't going to play, he's been struggling - his attitude got him out there, his determination and desire to want to play for me," Harris said.
"He's my number nine and in such a good vein of form, I maybe should have taken him off slightly earlier but he's such an important player for us.
"Him and Kachunga - Elias' qualities with his running ability, his composure and leadership skills - just makes them a really good pairing and I'm loath to take them off the pitch.
"I'm pleased Gassan got on the scoresheet. Six in six feeds his confidence, but for Elias as well, a six-yard tap-in, that's where I want him, higher up the pitch.
"I've told him I want him to be a nine and a half, if not a nine. I want him to be brave and in goalscoring positions. That's why he played in the Premier League (for Huddersfield), because he can do that."
Harris said he never felt Exeter were going to really "hurt" his team and had the second goal been scored earlier, they could have gone on to make it "three, four five".
Cambridge end 2023 with two tough away games against Oxford United and Stevenage, currently fourth and fifth in the table.
"We can take pats on the back for the last two weeks, but it's now (about) making sure we build on this," added Harris.
"No-one will get carried away. We know what we're good at and how we can improve.... but we can now enjoy playing against two really good sides, Oxford and Stevenage."