OXFORD United’s players know the pressure is on and Jamie Mackie is ready to roll up his sleeves.

It may only be October, but a defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle tomorrow would see the U’s cut four points adrift at the bottom of Sky Bet League One.

An eight-match winless run in all competitions has left Karl Robinson’s side in deep trouble.

But Mackie is ready to fight for the cause and produced one of his best performances in an Oxford shirt in last weekend’s goalless draw at Southend United.

The former QPR forward was involved in a second-half flashpoint, when he was booked for a challenge on Taylor Moore which led to large sections of the home crowd calling for him to be sent off for an alleged elbow.

But the 33-year-old will not be changing his style.

“I play flat out, I play 100 per cent,” he said.

“I don’t go out there to hurt anyone, I’m not malicious and I made sure he was all right.

“I think the ref handled it well with the fans wanting me to get sent off, but I don’t care if they boo me.

“I’m not here to play for them, I’m here to play for Oxford.”

Mackie faces one of his former clubs in Plymouth tomorrow.

While he is yet to find the net, the former Scotland international believes, despite Tuesday’s defeat in the Checkatrade Trophy, the draw at Southend was a step in the right direction.

He said: “There’s 34 games left.

“We know we need to win from the off, but a loss can be so damaging and you can get used to losing and it will be another inquest and that’s not what you want.

“We know it (Southend) wasn’t pretty, but we’ve got a point on the board.

“Obviously, we’re not going mental about it, we need three points, but it’s about building on the quality we do have.”