U's boss Aidy Boothroyd insists there will be no knee jerk reactions to the team's tough start to 2010.

The U's have endured two big defeats as the new year gets underway but, as he prepares to take his troops to Gillingham this weekend, Aidy will not be going in heavy handed.

"I'm like every other person that came to support us in those two games," he told the official website. 

"We lost 5-0 after losing 7-0 the week before and you think 'Wow, where did that come from?'

"But then you have two choices, you either get depressed and have a panic or you reflect for a period of time.

"I have said from day one, that this team is a work in progress. The statistics show that the best teams will be in the top six. We have produced that form up until the last couple of games. 

"In fact, our results were those of an automatic promotion team - 45 points from 23 games would equate to 90 over a season, which usually gets you up."

The U's will be able to pick John-Joe O'Toole and Paul Reid this weekend after their return from suspension and injury respectively, whilst Morten Knudsen is available after his midweek signature.

But the U's boss won't be making dramatic changes to style or selection.

"I won't be making any knee jerk reactions. I may have done 15 years ago, but it's a time for calm and changing the focus," he added. 

"We have taken a lot of stick, and rightly so, because it's well deserved.

"However, I am sure that people will look at the big picture and I've never looked forward to a game more than I do for this Saturday's match and, seeing the lads this week, they're the same.

"We have a big point to prove not only to our fans but to the football public in general.

"Up until Saturday, I had people stopping me saying that we were flying and doing really well and I want to get that back."

Defeats are still a rarity since Aidy arrived in September and, with games in hand, the U's remain well placed in the League One table to maintain their promotion push.

He believes his side have the mental strength to contend with the issues of the last couple of games - and to come back stronger.

"Every team has a wobble," he said. 

"Football is like two boxers in the ring. During the course of a fifteen round fight, you know that you'll take a few punches and that you'll pick yourself up and go back again.

"Well we've taken a twelve punch combination in the last couple of games and now we have to cover up and come back out fighting.

"I am still really annoyed and very upset about it and my job now is to take the positives and look at what needs to be changed.

"We also have to understand that we have a team that's growing and getting better and, if dealt with in the right way, the past couple of weeks will help us.

"Being in the brown stuff grows good people. You learn a lot in adversity - it makes you stronger and for these young men, it will make them better and stronger.

"So hopefully on Saturday night I'll be back in love with them again and we can use the experience of the last few weeks as a springboard for later in season."