Jake Wright believes it will be key for Oxford United to avoid getting dragged into a physical contest if they are to build on a midweek win when Stevenage visit today.

The U’s ended their long wait for a Sky Bet League Two victory with an entertaining 3-1 success over Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night.

They are back at the Kassam Stadium again this afternoon, but the robust visitors will pose a different challenge.

Although it is four seasons since the clubs have met, Wright says United know what to expect from Graham Westley’s side.

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The centre back said: “A lot of people don’t like what he does, but he’s done really well there.

“He’s a good manager for them, he gets them well organised and they’re really good at set pieces.

“They’re clever and play the game really well, that’s what they’re about.

“We’ve got to be mentally and physically strong and make sure we don’t turn it into a battle.”

If United are looking for examples of what not to do, they only have to cast their minds back to last month.

Against Mansfield Town, another rugged outfit, Michael Appleton’s men got sucked into matching their hosts and paid the penalty with a 2-1 defeat.

United’s skipper admits the game at Field Mill provides useful preparation for today.

Wright said: “I think that’s what you’ve got to do, learn from your mistakes.

“The clear mistake that day was we got told to go out and play our normal game – and we didn’t do it.

“We got drawn into a battle and it is difficult because when you’ve been under pressure sometimes you just want to get rid of the ball.

“We need to be stronger and do what we believe in.”

While buoyed by the first league win of the campaign, complacency should not be an issue with United still in the bottom three.

Wright added: “I think we have deserved a lot more points out of the first seven games, but it’s not a sense of cracking it, it’s one win.

“It’s a big relief, but no-one is brighter in training than they were last week.

“It’s the same, no-one is buzzing around and thinking ‘we’ve done it’.

“It’s one win in eight games, so we just need to carry on.

“We’ve got a little four-game unbeaten run now, which looks a lot better and we just need to continue with it.”

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