Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk felt his side showed a ‘protective mentality’ during home Sky Bet League One draw with Northampton Town

New Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk felt that his side were hampered by a ‘protective mentality’ during this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Northampton Town.

The hosting U’s took a one-goal lead into the break of what was Monk’s first game in charge, but they spent large parts of the second half on the back foot and Northampton’s pressure eventually told eight minutes from time with an equalising goal.

And Monk believes that United’s run of four straight Sky Bet League One defeats going into the Cledara Abbey Stadium encounter had an impact on their display after the restart.

He said: “Our defensive level in terms of where we were on the pitch was good and there was some really good work in that first half.

“But it’s quite understandable in that second half, when you haven’t won for a while and you haven’t got a point and there’s a little bit of what they’ve felt before in that recent run of games, that a protective mentality comes in.

“You’ve got the result, you’ve got the three points and it feels close but you’re maybe too protective and you stop doing what you were doing with the ball.

“We were a little bit too protective and it allowed Northampton to come back into the game in the second half. There’s stuff to work on for sure, but if I’m honest I expected a little bit of that.

“I can’t complain, the players were great, and I’ve always said if you can’t win a game then make sure you don’t lose. I thought we did everything to make sure we didn’t lose that game.

“That first half is a really good example of what they’re capable of (and) the ability that we have, with and without the ball. That’s what we’re going to focus on and show the players.

“It’s only been five days and I just said to (the players) that I’m probably expecting the world of you, but I understand and I’ve been in that situation.

“Overall I’m pleased with the point – would have liked it to be three – but there were some really good bits in that first half that we can focus on and take forward.”