SUBSTANCE is preferable to style when it comes to getting Oxford United out of trouble, says Jordan Graham.
The squad head north today ahead of tomorrow’s game at Fleetwood Town, where they will kick off in Sky Bet League One’s relegation zone.
While the bottom half of the table is still relatively congested, Graham knows it will not stay that way for long – and results are all that matters.
He said: “We know time is running out, we’re fully aware of that.
“We need to win a fair few games over the next six or seven league fixtures.
“By the end of February we want to be sitting there saying ‘we can make the play-offs if we do well in March’ rather than going ‘it’s going to be close now’. “
He added: “Sometimes you want to play good football, but at the moment I don’t really care how we play.
“We need to win, win, win and get out of the position we’re in.
“Once we get to 15th, 14th, 13th we can start to get back to playing some good stuff.
“But we need to win games and that starts this Saturday.”
United’s position owes much to their away form – they are the only team in League One yet to collect three points on the road this term.
But while their predicament looks dire, Graham believes it will get the best out of him.
The winger said: “It helps me perform.
“I always find when you can’t go up or down it becomes a bit boring and there’s nothing to play for.
“I’m not saying you’d rather be in the bottom four, but when you are in a situation like this there’s pressure on the game.”
Tomorrow’s clash at Highbury will be the first league fixture of Graham’s loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 23-year-old had not played competitively for three months before last weekend, but getting two cup games under his belt has boosted his spirits.
He said: “Brentford last week was good for me physically, because on Tuesday I felt loads better.
“I came through feeling good and now it’s about winning.”
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