WHEN we talk about bringing players into the football club there are a lot of factors that you have to take into consideration.

Talent, pace, technical ability, age – there are a ton of things that fans can pick out immediately in players.

But here at Oxford we don’t just look at those physical aspects.

We also spend a lot of time doing our homework and finding out as much as we can about their character and attitude.

Both are vitally important.

If you look back at the game at Swindon on Sunday, that character really shone through and all the hard work paid off for us.

We went behind, away from home at our local rivals and in the middle of a very hostile atmosphere.

For a short spell we were under pressure, but that is when you see the strength of character shine through.

All through the team you saw players pull together and refuse to buckle.

Simon Eastwood made a vital save, our centre backs, Chey Dunkley and Curtis Nelson, won every ball and the full backs pressed on.

Slightly further up the pitch, John Lundstram and Ryan Ledson were ferocious in the tackle and composed on the ball, allowing the wide men and forwards to get us further up the pitch.

That is not down to first touch or tactical awareness, it is all about heart and desire.

I thought the character really showed in that game, just as it did against Newcastle and Bradford the week before.

Ryan Ledson is 19, by the way, Lunny is still only 22 – they showed a maturity beyond their years.

I think all through the side there was a fierce determination to reward the fans behind that goal.

But when you talk about character then you also have to look at the way a side, full of senior pros, went to Kidlington in midweek and battled and fought for everything.

I have seen players chuck it in when playing in games like that, but there was no question of anyone doing it and we were delighted with the attitude once more.

The next two games will be about character just as much.

We are on a terrific run, but nobody is getting carried away.

Instead we refocus, prepare properly and we go out there looking to win against MK Dons this afternoon.

It’s another huge game, one where I am sure the mental toughness of this team can get us another important three points.

IT is Fans Day at the ground today and there will be activities all around the stadium to try and make it fun for all the family before kick-off.

I believe the Oxford Mail are giving away thousands of balloons to add a bit of colour, which can only help things go with a bang!

Last weekend all I could see was a sea of arms at one end of the ground when Rob Hall scored the winner.

Let’s hope that this time it’s a sea of yellow and blue away to my right.