Garry Monk: Cambridge United boss says it is too early to 'expect the world' from his side

Garry Monk previously managed Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday

Cambridge United boss Garry Monk says it is too early to "expect the world" from his team following a 1-1 draw with Northampton in his first game.

The 45-year-old was appointed last week as Neil Harris' replacement, on a deal to run until 2026.

And the U's managed to end a run of four successive defeats with a point after Elias Kachunga put them ahead.

"We stopped that run of results, that's the real positive out of it," Monk told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"At this stage of the season, as much as the aim is the three points, every point will count.

"I saw some really good work in the first half and it's quite understandable in the second half, when you haven't won for a while, that kind of protective mentality comes in.

"We stopped doing what we were doing with the ball, and being that threat, which allowed Northampton to come much more into the game. If I'm honest, I probably expected a little bit of that.

He continued: "It's only been four or five days and we're expecting the world. I said to them 'I'm probably expecting the world of you'. Overall, I'm pleased with the point, would have liked it to be three, but there were some really good bits we can take forward.

"Expectation-wise, you want it to be a brilliant 90 minutes, come away with a win, but football doesn't work like that. I can't complain because they've had to work in difficult circumstances - new manager, some new ideas, it's not easy just to put that on the pitch - coming off the run they've been on."

Cambridge remain 19th in the League One table, five points clear of the relegation places, before Tuesday's trip to in-form Lincoln City - who put five past Barnsley on Saturday.

They will do so without midfielder George Thomas, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

"George was going to be a big part of the plan so it's a blow to lose him," added Monk, who had been out of management since leaving Sheffield Wednesday in November 2020.

"They're always innocuous. It was just the way he landed, and we were hoping it wasn't going to be too serious, but unfortunately it looks like a long-term one."