Cambridge need 'possession with purpose' - Monk

Garry Monk has taken charge of nearly 300 games as a manager

Cambridge United boss Garry Monk said "the essence is there" to achieve good results despite failing to win any of their first six games of the new season.

The U's bowed out of the EFL Trophy on penalties following a 3-3 draw with Bromley on Tuesday, having fought back from two goals down to lead 3-2.

They also exited the Carabao Cup in the first round and have only managed one point so far in League One.

"Our second half [against Bromley] was exactly what I'm looking for, I don't know how much possession of the ball we had but it was all purposeful," the former Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City boss told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"That's the key, possession - but with purpose, and we showed that in the second half. The first 30 minutes was possession but without purpose."

Monk was appointed in March on a two-year deal and steered Cambridge to an 18th-place finish in the third tier last season.

The club signed 12 players during the summer transfer window, the latest of whom, on-loan Bolton Wanderers striker Dan Nlundulu, made his debut as a second-half substitute against Bromley.

Monk admitted individual errors were costing the side dear and he will now try to find a winning combination before their return to action at Mansfield Town on 14 September following the international break.

"We were excellent [in the second half against Bromley], exactly what we are working on, what we're trying to be, the movement, the speed of play, and we submitted them to that situation," Monk said.

"I've said it all along, the essence is there. But we're really mindful and clear that we need to turn them into 90-minute performances, have whole games when we're like that - and that's how we'll get points and wins."