Cambridge United Board Stands Firm Amidst Poor Start to the 2024/25 Season
Cambridge United’s board of directors has addressed growing concerns from the fanbase regarding the club’s dismal start to the 2024/25 season. After the team’s 1-0 defeat to Exeter City on Saturday, which extended their winless streak to 18 matches in all competitions, pressure has mounted on head coach Garry Monk and sporting director Ben Strang. Many fans have openly questioned Monk’s future, given the team’s poor form that stretches back into last season.
However, in a detailed statement released on the club’s official website, the board at the Cledara Abbey Stadium expressed a determination to use the upcoming international break as a chance to regroup, refocus, and prepare for a crucial period of games, starting with Wigan Athletic on October 19. Despite the poor start, the board remains committed to Monk for the time being and urged fans to stay united during this tough period.
The statement reads, “We are not in the habit of giving a running commentary from the boardroom during the season on the playing side, but given our poor start, we all feel it is important to say something at this time. First of all, everyone at the club is feeling the disappointment every bit as much as you, the supporters – and as ever, your support has been brilliant. There is no sugar coating how poor our results have been.”
Acknowledging the frustration among supporters, the board admitted that while there may be various underlying reasons for the poor performances, football is ultimately a results-driven business. Despite increasing the playing budget significantly over the summer, Cambridge United still started the season with one of the lowest budgets in League One. The board stressed that this decision was made alongside their commitment to prioritising infrastructure investment as part of a broader modernisation programme, which includes plans for redeveloping the Cledara Abbey Stadium. These plans are expected to be shared with the public by the end of the year.
“Unfortunately, multiple long-term injuries have really tested this approach and our squad depth,” the statement continued. “This is said as context but not as an excuse, and we are all acutely aware that results do need to improve – and quickly. We need to be in a competitive position come the turn of the year to have a realistic chance of preserving our League One status.”
The difficult circumstances Cambridge United currently faces, including squad depth challenges and injuries, have compounded the situation for Monk. Since his arrival in March, Monk has only secured two wins from 22 games, with 15 losses, and his side has struggled to find the back of the net. This season alone, United has managed only six goals from an expected goals (xG) tally of 10.67.
However, while the underlying statistics suggest the team is creating chances, their inability to convert has been a persistent issue under Monk’s tenure. The squad’s difficulties in scoring are not new. Since earning promotion from League Two in 2020/21, Cambridge United has consistently struggled to produce goals, averaging just over 45 per season across their League One campaigns.
Saturday’s defeat at Exeter City was another frustrating outing, and Monk’s overall record at Cambridge remains troubling. Yet, the board has reiterated its faith in the former Swansea City and Birmingham City manager, citing his and his staff’s hard work and commitment. “We know how hard Garry, the staff, and players are working. There is no shortage of endeavour, focus, and togetherness within the group,” the statement read. “The international break now gives everyone a chance to regroup, refocus, and then really attack the coming critical period of games.”
The board remains cautiously optimistic about the future, acknowledging the difficult start but reaffirming their ambition for the club, both on and off the pitch. “We remain as ambitious as ever for Cambridge United on and off the pitch. Progress never goes in straight lines, especially in sport. We are in a tough moment. To get through it, we all need to work even harder and remain ‘United in Endeavour.’”
The international break offers a temporary reprieve from competitive action, but it will be a pivotal moment for Monk and his team to recalibrate. The road ahead will not be easy. After the break, Cambridge United will face a critical run of games in quick succession, including back-to-back home fixtures against Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion, followed by an away match against Stevenage. Monk will need his side to turn things around quickly to keep his job safe, with many pundits and fans predicting that a continuation of the current form could see a managerial change.
For now, the board has made it clear they are standing by Monk, but as always in football, results will be the ultimate decider. Fans will be watching closely as United prepares for the decisive fixtures ahead. Whether Monk can lead Cambridge United out of this slump or whether the club will soon be seeking new leadership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the pressure is mounting.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
