Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris believing in miracles as he plots League One survival bid

Neil Harris has insisted that he would not have returned to Cambridge United if he did not believe that there was still a chance that the club could retain its League One status this season.

After a stint in charge of his former club Millwall, the recently-reappointed head coach has found the U’s sitting bottom of the table with an eight-point gap to safety.

And with only 15 matches of the campaign remaining, time is running out for a successful survival mission.

Nevertheless, while Harris has conceded that his side may need a ‘miracle’ to keep their head above water, he has refused to throw in the towel.

“We know it’s a tough challenge in front of us,” said Harris, who oversaw five victories during his brief 14-game spell in charge last term.

“I do lean on those experiences from last season, of course I do. We had a great reaction from the football club, the players, the changing room but the fans as well – they got behind the team and supported me.

“That’s one of the big reasons for coming back. If I didn’t believe that we could achieve a miracle this season then I wouldn’t be sitting here now. I’d have waited and waited and seen if the opportunity arose again in the summer.

“We’ve got an opportunity in front of us to create something. Short term it’s about results and I’ve done it at other football clubs. I believe we can do it here.”

In terms of the start to Harris’ second tenure, opposition sides do not currently come much tougher than Stockport County, who visit the Cledara Abbey Stadium on Saturday (22 February).

Only Leyton Orient and Birmingham City have collected more points than Dave Challinor’s side over the last 10 games, with their haul of 21 points during that time moving them firmly into the play-off picture.

Harris added: “Dave Challinor has done a brilliant job there, getting out of the National League and League Two as well.

“They’ve got a very competitive squad at the level and some very good players – a group of players that have been together for quite a long time now and they’ve built success.

“It’s a tough team to play against, they’ve got a goal threat and their xG is extremely high for the division. They’ve done really well to compete with teams like Birmingham and Wrexham with their firepower.

“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge, but for us it’s a starting point. We’ll rise to the occasion and we know the fans will be with us.

“I expect a reaction from the players and it’s an opportunity in the home games to impose ourselves on the opponents. We did it 12 months ago and I want to do it again, starting this weekend.”

The visit of Stockport has come too soon for centre-forward Dan Nlundulu, who has still not fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

Harris also does not expect to have any of the other currently sidelined players available for the clash.