Cambridge United v Blackpool: Garry Monk unsure what to expect from Tangerines following departure of Neil Critchley

The focus has been on Cambridge United even more than normal ahead of this weekend’s Sky Bet League One clash against Blackpool.

Following defeats in their opening two league fixtures against Crawley Town and Stockport County – coincidentally the two sides that have also beaten the U’s this term – the Blackpool board took the decision earlier this week to part company with manager Neil Critchley.

As a result, United head coach Monk is unsure as to how exactly the Tangerines will line-up at the Cledara Abbey Stadium under interim boss Richard Keogh.

And Monk has therefore been busy preparing his players for every possible eventuality.

“I’ve seen it before and dealt with it before where you’re preparing for something you think you know or have a good idea and then that changes and it goes out the window,” he said.

“It’s never nice seeing one of your colleagues lose their job in that way and it’s a harsh decision, but that’s nothing to do with us – we have to focus on ourselves.

“It’s a case of the unknown and of course that makes it difficult, but that makes the emphasis of focusing on ourselves and getting ourselves right, which I do anyway, but probably even more so this week.

“It could be anything. I’ve been in situations where it’s been similar and others where it’s completely different – shape and personnel.

“What we’ve been doing anyway is working on knowing what we need to do against different shapes and styles. We’ve been doing that throughout the pre-season, so the key is to focus on ourselves.

“We’ve been working to have a good idea of what to do (in all games), rather than waiting to see if they are doing this or that. We try to prepare the players for that and what we do in certain situations. We’ll be as ready as we can be going into it.”

Cambridge won last season’s meeting at the Abbey between the two sides 2-1 thanks to goals from Elias Kachunga and Gassan Ahadme, giving then boss Neil Harris his first victory in charge of the club.