Cambridge United 1-1 Barnsley: Head coach Garry Monk pleased with reaction of players to Peterborough United derby thrashing

Head coach Garry Monk was pleased with the performance that his Cambridge United players produced during their 1-1 draw with Barnsley.

Saturday’s League One clash at the Cledara Abbey Stadium was Cambridge’s first outing since their 6-1 derby drubbing at Peterborough United the previous weekend.

And while they ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils after Dan Nlundulu’s fourth-minute deflected effort was cancelled out in the 17th minute by Barnsley’s Stephen Humphrys, Monk was happy with the response.

He said: “It wasn’t just about last week. Of course that was a big part of the motivation but for a number of reasons – we need results, we need points and there’s a lot of self motivation in there, including last week’s results.

“We wanted to put in a performance full of effort, endeavour, physicality and everything that was needed – and we got that. I always say you should come crawling off the pitch at the end having given everything you’ve got and we did that.

“In the first half we were better the team and got a really good start with a really good goal. We looked a threat and we’re slightly disappointed with their goal because it was against the run of play, but they’ll look at it as a quality goal for them.

“But credit to the lads, it was a huge effort. Of course we wanted the three (points) but one point against a very a good side is a good point in the end.”

It was a particularly big day for goalkeeper Jack Stevens, who made his first appearance in the league for the U’s since last March.

The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order behind Vicente Reyes, but with the Chilean away on international duty, Stevens made the most of his opportunity with a solid display between the posts.

“It typifies the characters that we have in the changing room across the squad,” added Monk.

“As a player you’re in three situations – you’re either starting games, you’re on the bench or you’re not in squads. Each player faces one of those situations on a weekly basis.

“Jack has had to deal with not being in certain squads or being on the bench, but he’s been great with his attitude and the way he’s applied himself in training.

“I’ve always said it to players – you have to be ready no matter what when an opportunity does some. Today typifies his attitude and credit to him.”

Twenty-second placed Cambridge, who are three points from safety, will travel up the A14 to face Northampton Town on Saturday (23 November).