TOM Newey hopes Oxford United’s supporters will embrace the side’s progressive style after seeing them make it work for the first time at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s entertain Stevenage tomorrow, looking to build on Tuesday night’s 3-1 home win over Accrington Stanley.

While the game, which saw the U’s win for the first time in Sky Bet League Two, ended in buoyant mood, at one stage the fans were restless.

With the score at 1-1 in the first half, a backpass from Newey to goalkeeper George Long prompted boos from a minority of home supporters.

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The full back praised the way the U’s shrugged off the criticism to win the game convincingly and urged fans to buy into the approach.

He said: “We could feel the atmosphere wasn’t as positive as we would’ve liked, but we had to be patient and stick to the game plan and the way we want to play.

“It takes a lot of bravery and courage to do that and the players stood up to be counted the other night and it paid off.

“The gaffer’s not someone who looks like he’s going to change his ways and we’re encouraged by that because we don’t want him to.

“We’re enjoying that style and that’s the way it’s going to be – we’re going to play patient, progressive football.

“Sometimes you have to go back to go forwards. If you’re in control of the ball, you can’t get hurt by the other team.

“I’m sure when we finally got control of the game the fans saw when you do it right it’s so enjoyable to play and watch.

“I’d say stick with us because you can see we’re playing good football.”

However, Newey admitted he did sympathise with supporters, with Tuesday’s win United’s first at home since March.

He said: “Going back to the end of last season we only won once in eight games and then that’s pretty much continued this season, so it’s been a tremendously frustrating time for everybody involved.

“Supporters are paying hard-earned money and seeing their team lose every week.

“But we got a win for them on Tuesday and hopefully we can get many more.”

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