Cambridge United v Lincoln City: Garry Monk keen to get home fans behind the team in latest bid for first win of the season

Ahead of back-to-back League One fixtures on home soil, head coach Garry Monk has spoken of the importance of getting the Cambridge United supporters behind their team as they bid to get their season up and running after a winless start.

The U’s go into clashes at the Cledara Abbey Stadium against Lincoln City on Saturday (28 September) and Rotherham United on Tuesday (1 October) having won none of their nine games in all competitions this term.

Six of those have been in the league and with just the one point collected from last month’s enthralling 4-4 draw with Blackpool, Monk’s side find themselves anchored to the foot of the table.

Monk knows only too well the damage that upcoming opponents Lincoln can cause given that they hit United for six in what was only his second game in charge of the club last March.

However, with the benefit of having the home support on their side, Monk believes that his players can be a match for an Imps outfit that will begin the weekend in the play-off places.

“They’re one of my favourite teams. I said that last season when we played them, which wasn’t a good experience,” he said.

“What the manager has done there over a period of time, I like the way they’ve gone about it and they’ve got a certain style.

“Their recruitment has been excellent, they’ve added to it year on year and they’re a strong contender this season.

“We know how tough it is, but the focus is on us. Of course we’re aware of their strengths, but we’re trying to fight for ourselves and get ourselves as good as possible to go on to the pitch.

“We’ve got two games at home now and the feeling from within is that we’re determined to get our fanbase going from the very beginning of the game. That’s what we need to do at the Abbey, get that crowd with us and that’s how we’ll go about the game.

“We know if we get that rocking, get that type of atmosphere going and they’re behind the team, it’s a tough place for opposition to come no matter how good they are.

“Of course they’re a strong team, physical and dynamic but we can be that as well – that’s what we’re fighting for on Saturday.”

None of the injured players that missed last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers are due to be in contention for the visit of Lincoln, but striker Ryan Loft has another week of training under his belt and is available for selection.