Cambridge United v Bristol Rovers: Garry Monk looks ahead to ‘massive’ League One game at the Abbey Stadium

Cambridge United head coach Garry Monk has admitted that there is ‘no getting away’ from the significance of tomorrow’s home encounter against Bristol Rovers.

The sides go into the fixture at the Cledara Abbey Stadium as two of the most out-of-form teams in League One. While visiting Rovers are bottom of the form table over the last six matches with only three points secured during that timeframe, the hosting U’s can only better that return by one point.

And with Rovers currently hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, it presents second-from-bottom Cambridge with the chance to cut the gap between the pair to just two points.

“It’s a massive game – there’s no getting away from that,” said Monk.

“Because of our situation, every game feels massive but of course there’s pivotal ones – especially against the teams that are in and around you.

“That’s well documented every season, whether you’re at the top or at the bottom, winning those games against your main competitors can often make a big difference. It gives everyone a different outlook and we know it’s a big, big game.”

Monk’s men can take some confidence from the fact that they have come out on top in recent home clashes against their fellow strugglers. They defeated Burton Albion 1-0 back in October thanks to a goal from substitute Jordan Cousins, while they produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Shrewsbury Town 4-1 early last month.

“We’ve had a few big games with teams in and around us and we’ve done quite well with them recently,” added Monk.

“We can take something from that and we need those levels of performance again.

“It’s never been a case of the effort, desire and determination not being there. It’s just getting those margins right and to sway your way.

“You need a little bit of luck at times, like rather than the ball hitting the post, it goes in the back of the net. In those specific games, that’s where the margins did go for us. We hit the back of the net rather than hitting the post or there being a block on the line.

“Defensively we came out on top and we had a little bit of luck with some shots, but also we defended extremely well.

“It’s a huge game, we know that and we’ve spoken about it in the lead up to it. There’s no getting away from it, but we also need to make sure we have a calm head and not become desperate. When you do become desperate, that can affect the performance in a negative way.”

Not for the first time this term, Cambridge will be coming up against opposition with a recently-appointed manager in the dugout.

Inigo Calderon replaced the sacked Matt Taylor on Boxing Day – and as a result there is the element of the unknown as to what United will be up against.

“They’ve had a couple of games under new management, but early on things can change from game to game. New managers are trying to understand their squad and their players,” said Monk.

“That’s why I always say that the emphasis is on ourselves. We need to be right near our best in all departments to get results anyway, regardless of who we’re playing against and how they set up.

“Of course we still try to prepare for the what ifs and the unknown and what happens when they change to certain set-ups.

“We’ve wanted the players to be able to adapt from the start of the season and this one is no different.”

Monk also confirmed that United picked up no fresh injury issues during the 3-1 defeat to Reading on New Year’s Day.