Cambridge United boss Monk gets owners' backing

Cambridge United have only won once since the beginning of November under Garry Monk

Cambridge United's owners have backed head coach Garry Monk despite their precarious position in League One.

The U's are next to bottom of the table following defeats in their past five league games, and have won only four of the 24 played so far this season.

Co-owners Paul Barry and Mark Green have agreed to put extra money into the club to enable new signings to be brought in during the January transfer window.

"We believe we have a good head coach in Garry, and that the injuries we have suffered throughout the season have meant he has struggled to field anywhere near a fully fit squad on a weekly basis," said a club statement.

"Consequently, a small squad with one of the lowest budgets in the league has been very stretched and several players have had to play far more football than anticipated, without any real opportunity for rotation or recovery."

Cambridge have produced 35 shots in their last two games, but suffered home defeats by Reading and Bristol Rovers.

Chief executive Alex Tunbridge told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire it was very clear that the team were continuing to play for Monk and there was still good morale in the dressing room.

"As a result of that, we think the best thing to do in terms of getting over the line (and staying up) come May is to stay as we are," he said.

Monk, 45, was appointed 10 months ago on a contract to the end of next season following the departure of predecessor Neil Harris.

Cambridge finished 18th last season but only took one point from their opening nine games of the current campaign and it has been an uphill struggle since then.

Despite the vote of confidence for Monk, the club plans to conduct an internal review of first-team operations.

"I think we are probably guilty, like many clubs, of not taking time to pause and reflect. We're doing that now," said Tunbridge.

"Some of those lessons will be learnt and will be implemented in this transfer window and some of the other things will be taken forwards into the summer."

He added: "The owners have come out and said they are going to add additional funds to the transfer budget to enable us to strengthen in a couple of key areas.

"(Sporting director) Ben (Strang) is working hard now on trying to bring some of those targets in as soon as possible. Business can happen quite late (in the window) and it's often a domino effect with things going on up and down the food chain but our intention is to give Garry the tools he needs to do the job."

Cambridge face back-to-back away games against Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers on 11 and 18 January before their next home fixture against Mansfield Town.

"We know we are in a real fight to preserve our League One status," the club statement added.

"There is still half the season remaining and a lot of football to be played. We have been here before and know from experience that a lot can change quickly."