Ling's U's were expected to challenge for promotion this season

Cambridge United boss Martin Ling has received a vote of confidence from the club's board following a torrid start to the season.

The U's crashed to their fourth consecutive defeat at Hayes & Yeading on Tuesday with some fans expressing their frustration with the manager.

The backing comes in the form of a statement from chairman Paul Barry.

It read: "The board of directors re-affirm their support of Martin Ling as manager of the Football Club."

The statement continued: "It is also clear to supporters and everyone at the club that our current league position is not acceptable and falls short of our expectations.

"After discussions with the board, Martin is adamant that he will get us through this period and ultimately bring success to this football club.

I understand the fans' reaction but one thing I'm not going to do is walk away from this situation Cambridge United boss Martin Ling

"Whilst Martin and the board understand that we are in a results orientated business, he has the full support and backing of the board to achieve the turn-around we require.

"The board believe that it is important not to have knee-jerk reactions in difficult times as the consequences of this approach have contributed to instability and lack of success over the last decade."

Ling and his side have had to endure the boos of supporters following the final whistle of their last two games, but the former Leyton Orient boss insists he will not quit the club.

"I understand the fans' reaction but one thing I'm not going to do is walk away from this situation," Ling told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire after the defeat by Hayes.

"I don't think for the life of me that there's anyone in there not trying.

"It was a very young side out there but I'm not going to point the finger at them."

"It's not about tonight's result it's about the season as a whole. It's about all of us sticking together and fighting the best we can."

606: DEBATE He's taken the club to a new low and if he doesn't resign the board how no choice but to get rid of him no matter what the cost murrayp

Hopes were high at the Abbey heading into Ling's first full season in charge after the arrival of midfielders Adam Miller and Conal Platt, full-back James Jennings and strikers Daryl Clare and Danny Wright.

But a return of 13 points from 14 games leaves the U's 21st in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

"In terms of the season so far it's thoroughly disappointing," Ling continued.

"We had changes in the summer, we had a good finish to last season and I thought, looking on a bit of paper, this looks like a good side.

"It hasn't gone that way, but do we panic? No, we can't, we've got to stick with it."

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