Monk proud of Cambridge resilience
Sullay Kaikai joined Cambridge from MK Dons in the summer of 2023
- Published
Cambridge United boss Garry Monk declared himself the proudest he has been all season as Sullay Kaikai's superb late header earned them a point against Bolton.
The U's only managed one point from their first nine league games, but have lost once in the last seven.
And the 1-1 draw with Bolton was achieved despite having Jubril Okedina sent off in the 49th minute.
"With 10 men, you can either feel sorry for yourselves or it galvanises you, and it actually galvanised us, and then galvanised the crowd," head coach Monk told 成人快手 Radio Cambridgeshire.
"We stuck at it and out of all the games this season, that's the proudest I've been. We deserved that goal 100 per cent.
"You can talk about tactics all you like but there's that innate feeling from a crowd when you see a group of lads giving everything they've got, they'll go with you and that definitely happened.
"That combination got us the goal back. It was an exceptional effort from everyone considering all the adversity we had to face in the game."
Sierra Leone international Kaikai has scored three goals in his last five games for the club and wants to hang on to his place in the starting line-up.
On his 89th-minute header, he said: "I don't score them often, but when I do they're pretty decent.
"It was a great cross (by Danny Andrew), the pace was on the ball so all I really had to do was direct it.
"I'm always pleased to chip in, I see myself as someone that can get goals so I put that expectation on myself and I just need to keep getting in the box and trying to finish my chances."
Cambridge remain in the relegation zone, in 22nd place, three points from safety, but Kaikai believes they can continue their recent improvement.
"In recent weeks that's what we've built momentum on, picking up points, being resilient, so it's just about having that extra little bit to go on and win as many games as possible," he added.
"Bottom line is don't lose any games and from there try and win. It's a massive confidence boost, it shows what we can do when we stick together, stick to the game plan and see it through."
Cambridge next face Wigan Athletic at home in the FA Cup second round on Saturday before returning to league action with a trip to Reading three days later.