Cambridge United v Huddersfield Town: Garry Monk working on mentality in bid to move out of League One relegation places

Despite a four-point gap to safety, Cambridge United will head into tonight’s home clash against Huddersfield Town not feeling like a side within the League One relegation zone.

Much of United’s current predicament is down to the start of the campaign when they picked up just one point from their first nine outings. In the 10 games that have followed, Monk’s men have collected 16 points – the eighth best record in the division during that timeframe.

And it is the mentality side of things that Monk and his coaching staff have been working on with the players.

“We’re trying to create a feeling that while we are in the bottom four in terms of the league places, we don’t feel like we’re performing like a bottom four team. That’s really important because it means there’s consistency for us,” he said.

“And as much as we’re desperate and need points, you guard against that desperation and focus on trying to be consistent, what we’re good at and trying to put that out on the pitch more often that not.

“That’s been the general chat around each other – what does that look like to us to get us that consistency? And what goes into that? We feel like if we get that consistency, that’s what will get us out of the situation sooner rather than later.

“We’ve got to stay focused on that and not worry about this three points meaning this or this three points meaning that in terms of league places.

“All the players will be aware of where we are in the league, you can’t get away from it and that’s human nature. You do look at the league and see where you are and what you need, but the focus has been on our actions speaking louder than words.

“Right now our actions mean we are performing better than a bottom four team. The stats back that up but it’s not so much that, it’s more about the feeling and the understanding that goes into making it look like that.”

This evening’s visitors are living up to their pre-season tag as promotion contenders.

The Terriers will arrive at the Cledara Abbey Stadium comfortably entrenched within the play-off positions and on a run of 10 games unbeaten (seven victories) in the league.

Monk added: “They’re a big club in this league and so it’s another huge challenge for us. They’re right up there and have a squad that is full of quality.

“It’s another good challenge to get our teeth in to. It will be extremely tough but it’s a challenge we’re all looking forward to.”

United will be without suspended midfielder Korey Smith for the encounter, but Ryan Loft is available after missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Wrexham through illness.