JAMIE Hanson believes a victory for Oxford United at high-flying Peterborough United today would send out a message to the rest of Sky Bet League One.

Karl Robinson’s side have started to revive their campaign with a run which has seen them lose just once in the last nine league outings.

But they are still waiting to claim three points on the road and are yet to beat a side in the top half of the table – two accomplishments which could finally be achieved at London Road this afternoon.

Hanson is well aware of fourth-placed Posh’s threats, but the visitors will arrive in confident mood.

He said: “Peterborough are favourites, but knowing us I think we can cause an upset.

“We have players in form – Browney (Marcus Browne), Gav (Gavin Whyte), Jamie Mackie up front – so I don’t see why we can’t go and get the three points.

“It would send a statement.

“If we won on Saturday I think League One would think we’re starting to get our groove back.”

United have taken six points off Posh in the previous two campaigns and the 4-1 win in Cambridgeshire was arguably their best display of last season.

But Robinson knows his side will have to be close to top gear if they are to repeat the feat.

The head coach said: “It’s going to be one of the hardest games we’ll have all season.

“We’re going to have to play better than against Rochdale and Plymouth just to get something out of the game.

“We’re going to have to be eights and nines (out of ten) to get a good result.”

If Hanson keeps his place in the side this afternoon it would be the first time he has started five successive games for the U’s.

He signed from Derby County primarily as a midfielder, but began his career at right back.

And it is the defensive role which has offered the 23-year-old a chance to enjoy a run in the side, with Tony McMahon sidelined by a cracked rib.

He said: “At the start I was more disappointed in myself, because the performances weren’t good enough from me, I knew that.

“Obviously then Mous (John Mousinho) came into midfield and he’s been brilliant.

“I think you’re getting little glimpses (of what I can do) now.

“I think the Rochdale game was probably my best performance since I’ve been here.

“I’ve taken a lot of confidence from that and hopefully I can just carry it on.”

TODAY’S SQUADS

Peterborough Utd: Chapman, Ward, Daniel, Rhys Bennett, Tafazolli, Woodyard, Reed, Maddison, Dembele, Godden, Toney, Cummings, O’Malley, Bassong, Cooper, Denton, O’Hara, Naismith.

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Hanson, Nelson, Dickie, Ruffels, Mousinho, Henry, Brannagan, Whyte, Mackie, Brown, Bradbury, Smith, Long, Raglan, Garbutt, Norman, Stevens, Mitchell, Holmes.