Cambridge United right-back Liam Bennett more comfortable playing in Neil Harris’ four-man defensive set-up

Liam Bennett believes that Cambridge United are benefiting from head coach Neil Harris’ preference for playing a back four.

The U’s have spent much of the campaign operating with a three-man defence and wing-backs under previous boss Garry Monk.

But with the club taking the decision to relieve Monk of his duties last month and the subsequent surprise reappointment of Harris, the team has reverted back to a more traditional defensive shape and the early signs have been positive.

Cambridge have conceded just one goal in their three outings under Harris – and Bennett believes it is style that best suits the personnel within the squad.

“The team is used to playing four at the back a bit more because that’s what we’ve played over the previous years,” he said.

“It helps us be more solid and hit teams on the counter-attack a lot better. And also it plays to a lot more of the players’ strengths,

“There’s lot of different elements that bring strength to four at the back, and that’s not saying five at the back didn’t work, but the feeling at the moment is that four is the best way to go.”

On a personal level, the tactical alteration has seen Bennett switch from a wing-back position to right full-back.

And he has welcomed the ‘clarity’ that the change has provided.

He added: “If I highlight myself, playing in a back four it gives me a little bit more space to step up with the ball. I’ve got more time on the ball to be able to drive and link play and get around Kacha (Elias Kachunga) a lot easier.

“I spoke to Morro (Michael Morrison, captain) recently about it. When you’re in that back five, sometimes you’re in a bit of a half and half position. Do I go or do I not? When you’ve got three centre-halves, you can over cover each other and you can think ‘am I going or are you going?’

“With the back four there is a lot more clarity in that ‘this is my space and I need to make sure I cover this space’.

“It allows us to be harder to beat as a team and also cover each other. I know that if I’m (going forward) then a centre-half is coming inside and a midfielder as well.”

Bennett is also enjoying working under Harris’ management for a second time.

The 23-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, has spoken of the ‘confidence’ that the boss provides him with to be ‘the player that I know I can be’.

“There’s a clarity in what he wants from me and what he sees as the best version of me,” said Bennett.

“We’ve had a conversation and he’s highlighted my strengths and how best to utilise my strengths to make sure I can get the best version of myself on the pitch.

“Going to a four at the back has really helped that and he’s given me the confidence to go and be the player that I know I can be.”