Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris tells players ‘some home truths’ after 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic pushed club closer to League One relegation

Neil Harris told his Cambridge United players ‘some home truths’ after today’s 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic.

After his return as head coach sparked the U’s to record back-to-back victories, it is now consecutive single-goal defeats for Harris’ men – results that have seen the gap to League One safety grow to 10 points with 11 matches remaining.

And while he has only been back at the club for a short period, Harris has wasted little time in outlining the standards that he expects from everyone involved.

“I’ve just told some home truths in the changing room,” he said.

“If any of the players in there doubted my character or my desire to want to win and improve this football club, they’ve been left in no uncertain terms now.

“We’re in the position we’re in because of conceding cheap goals, not being clinical at one end and not having the mentality to nail games of football.

“That’s not my teams, that’s not me. I won’t stand for it.”

For around an hour at the Community Brick Stadium, United were the dominant of the two sides.

But for those supporters that made the long journey north it proved to be an all too familiar tale of their team not making the most of their opportunities and then being punished.

Harris added: “I’d go as far as saying we were excellent for 60 minutes – first half (was) outstanding, so, so good.

“We dominated the ball, we made countless opportunities and couldn’t get our noses in front.

“Ultimately the game has got away from us because we turned the ball over too cheaply and we don’t defend our six-yard box well enough.

“I’m absolutely gutted, so gutted by it. It’s the the first time I’ve lived that, I don’t live results like that too often – I don’t like it.

“I’ve come to change results like that not going our way. Obviously as a group they’ve lived it time and time again this season, (but) I won’t accept it – I’m not here for that. We will get better.”

Harris and players will head to Blackpool for a rearranged encounter on Tuesday (11 March) night.