Cambridge United v Shrewsbury Town: Head coach Garry Monk calls on U’s players to avoid ‘desperation’ in search of three crucial League One points

Head coach Garry Monk has urged his Cambridge United players to avoid becoming overwhelmed by ‘desperation’ during this afternoon’s key League One encounter against Shrewsbury Town at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

The visiting Shrews are one of just two teams along with Burton Albion that are currently below the third-from-bottom U’s in the table heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Shrewsbury are two points worse off than Monk’s men, who saw the gap to safety grow to five points on Tuesday after their 3-0 defeat at Reading.

But despite the magnitude of the game, Monk is keen to see his side produce a display laced with composure.

He said: “It’s not a must win game but overall, because of the start we had and where we are in the league, every game feels like a must win game.

“We felt that we should have picked up more points in that losing run, and it’s put us in that position where there can be that desperation every single game of feeling that we need to get points.

“That’s true, but part of the work we’re doing – as desperate as it can feel – is about not putting that desperation into our play. It doesn’t help you and it’s about trying to be consistent with a level of performance and the players understanding their roles within that performance.

“We’re really trying to encourage that and are staying focused on that. Inevitably, if we get that right it will produce results and in this period that’s been a really big focus of ours.

“There will be setbacks within all of that but we’ve been more consistent than not in the previous nine or 10 games. We’re continually trying to fight for that consistency.”

The away side are now under the management of Gareth Ainsworth, who oversaw a surprise 3-2 win over high-flying Birmingham City in his first game in charge on 23 November.

The trip to the Abbey will be just his third fixture at the helm – and consequently Monk has conceded that he is not 100 per cent sure of what to expect from the opposition.

“It’s always difficult (with a new manager) in terms of preparation around what they might do tactically,” added Monk, who has confirmed that Josh Stokes is set to return to the squad for the first time since mid-September.

“There’s been an upturn in what seems to be attitude, physicality, energy and things like that.

“There are certain things that can be surprising, but you try to prepare for anything.

“But as always, we’ve got to make sure the focus is on ourselves and hitting the levels we know we’re capable of.”