CHRIS Maguire says Oxford United need to acquire a nasty streak if they are to turn their slump in Sky Bet League One around.

A run of one point from a possible 12 has left the U’s one place above the relegation zone.

Following a 2-0 defeat on Saturday at struggling Shrewsbury Town, which owed a lot to a woeful first half, head coach Michael Appleton told his players to prepare for a dogfight.

Maguire is one of United’s experienced heads in a side which contains plenty of youthful talent.

But the 27-year-old believes the team cannot fulfil their potential without an appetite to get their hands dirty.

He said: “I think at the moment we are maybe just a little bit too soft.

“We just need to roll our sleeves up and get back to working hard.

“If we do the nitty-gritty first then I’m sure we’ll be fine.

“There’s no question about the ability, but it’s what the manager said at full-time – it’s the desire and willingness to do it in the first half.”

The problem is illustrated by United’s results this season.

They have had the quality to beat three of the sides sitting in the top five, but against teams scrapping at the other end of the table it has been a struggle.

Shrewsbury were the second team this season who climbed off the bottom with a win against the U’s.

Maguire said: “The bottom line is we came knowing Shrewsbury had won two games all season and they turned us over.

“We should have set our tempo straight away and knocked the stuffing out of them.

“It was the same at Coventry. They hadn’t won many when we went there and they beat us as well.

“We know we’re not too far away, we just need to get that determination and grit back.”

He added: “Good sides go and win anywhere.

“We’ve got to start being more ruthless.”

United, who host Coventry on Saturday, have a development squad game today away to Reading.

All those who did not start at Shrewsbury and are not on international duty are expected to start.

It means the likes of Wes Thomas, John Lundstram, Alex MacDonald and Phil Edwards will have the chance to push their claims for a place in the team against the Sky Blues.