Garry Monk felt Cambridge fully merited their long-awaited first victory of the season.
The U’s had collected only one point from their opening nine games but moved off the foot of the League One table with a deserved 2-0 win over Wigan.
An opener from Elias Kachunga and an own goal from Sam Tickle secured the points, Cambridge’s first victory since beating the same opponents on Easter Monday to end an 18-game winless run.
“It’s taken longer than we wanted or expected to get that first win. To get over that line is the ultimate validation for everyone, and of course the feeling in the changing room’s good. It helps everything,” said Monk afterwards, having watched from the stands due to a touchline ban.
“Today the biggest difference was we were clinical with our chances. We could have had more but we were clinical enough. Defensively, I don’t really remember them creating anything at all that was really threatening. The players got what they deserved today.
“We’ve always kept the belief. None of us have been in the situation for a prolonged period of not winning a game. We kept our spirit, we kept together, we’ve worked hard every day and today everyone got their rewards.
“We should have scored more goals, that’s probably the only disappointment. We had some really good chances but I can’t fault the players today, I thought they were excellent.
“It’s only one win, we’ve got to remind ourselves of that. We’ve got a short-term focus this week. What we need to do now is enjoy today but focus and get ready for Tuesday to back it up.”
Shaun Maloney felt Wigan’s display in the first half fell well short of an acceptable standard.
“Credit Cambridge, their mentality and how aggressive they were to compete in the first 20 minutes was miles better than us. That probably cost us in the game,” reflected Maloney.
“I spoke about players being accountable (but) it’s always on me. In this particular game I definitely picked a wrong team, and whatever I said beforehand didn’t have the desired effect.
“Normally it’s always on me, I think it has to be both of us today. The players and myself definitely got that wrong and we have to change it for Tuesday.
“I can’t really be too critical of the second half in terms of the level of effort and how we compete. I think the players in the first half should be really deeply disappointed that I’m ending up relying on a kid that came from Guiseley (K’Marni Miller) to change the dynamic of the game. I need to see a reaction from my group of players.”
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