Cambridge United boss hopes fans stay patient for progress in League One
The U's kick off their season at Stockport County today
Cambridge United boss Garry Monk believes progress on the pitch will take time as his side look to improve on their position in the third tier.
The U's have escaped relegation on the final day of each of the last two seasons after winning promotion from League Two back in 2021.
Monk's men face newly-promoted Stockport County, who went up as champions last term, in their League One opener today at 5.30pm.
'Moving that dial'
"We're not going to turn overnight into a team that dominates every game with the ball, we have 80% possession and coming off with 700-800 passes per game," he said.
"What I talked about at the end of last season to this season is moving that dial; I think what we're trying to do is gauge how fast and how far we can do that.
"Our idea is to be well away from that situation and look up rather than down; hopefully we can do it and the idea is to do it in a much better way of playing and (create) a much more enjoyable way of watching it for our fanbase."
Summer recruits
Cambridge have bolstered their squad over pre-season, including the likes of ex-Birmingham City player Gary Gardner and midfielder Korey Smith, who's arrived from Derby County.
Speaking ahead of the Stockport game, Smith has his eyes set on helping others within the team.
"I love it when I play with a younger player and in a few years' time, I'll see them in the Premier League and I feel like I've helped them a little bit to get there and you feel proud; that kind of thing motivates me to carry on playing," he said.
"Stockport deservedly got promoted last year, they'll be a strong team and looking to try and carry that into this season so we've got to be wary of that, but try and use that energy against them as well so playing our game, being positive and hopefully get the win."
Monk, who joined the U's in March, hopes that as well as performances on the pitch, he's cautious about making additions off it.
"I've been there before where you can feel desperate at times, where you see where the squad's at, you're worried about the whole season, you end up with just numbers in the squad and that becomes difficult to manage," he said.
"They have to be the right player, one we know we want to work with, can see the benefit of working with them and they're going to contribute to the squad."