JOSH Ruffels says Oxford United’s players understand supporters are concerned by recent results, but knows the mood can be changed by a positive result tomorrow.
An encouraging start to the season has been derailed by three successive defeats in Sky Bet League One, most recently going down 3-0 at struggling Bury on Tuesday night.
It gets no easier for United, who visit third-placed Peterborough United tomorrow.
The dramatic dip in form has led to some anxiety on the terraces, which Ruffels acknowledges.
He said: “We take every game seriously and understand the fans are disappointed – any fan would be.
“But we can’t look at it from a fan’s point of view. We have to stay strong, be confident – like we always are – and believe in ourselves.”
And just as United’s early-season momentum deserted them in a flash, the 23-year-old, from Kidlington, is well aware how form can be reversed equally rapidly.
He said: “It can literally be the slightest thing that changes it.
“If we get a good result on Saturday, it changes the whole morale of the squad.
“When you do have a few bad results it can be a bit disheartening, but if we keep our spirits up and get a result on Saturday it can really turn things around.
“It hasn’t been that bad a start, you’ve got to look at it in a positive sense.
“If you learn from it and analyse where we’ve gone wrong, it can make you a better team.”
Ruffels began the season strongly, but dropped out of the side with boss Pep Clotet preferring the more attack-minded Joe Rothwell.
As a result, he watched most of the losses to Blackpool and Walsall from the bench, before being brought back into the starting line-up in mid-week.
He said: “It is very frustrating and you can’t really do too much to try to help the side when you’re watching from the sidelines.
“That’s why I was trying to get the result when I was back in the team. It’s been a bit difficult in that sense.
“I did think I started the season well, but football can change.
“I’ve been out of the team for a little bit, but I’ve had my chance and I want to try to get the team going again.
“Hopefully we can get something out of the game on Saturday.”
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