MIDE Shodipo felt Oxford United’s thrashing of Burton Albion was the performance of a side brimming with belief.

The winger’s double helped the U’s race into a 3-0 lead after 31 minutes to dash any fears of Sky Bet League One’s bottom side claiming a morale-boosting win in front of new boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Matty Taylor had opened the scoring nine minutes in and Josh Ruffels struck twice in the second half, with Kane Hemmings’ effort only a consolation as United ran out 5-1 winners.

It was an emphatic fourth victory in a row for Karl Robinson’s side, who ended the weekend in the top half for the first time since September.

The U’s have gone eight games unbeaten since the derby defeat to Swindon Town on November 28 and Shodipo believes success breeds success.

Player ratings: find out who our Oxford United man of the match was

He said: “I feel like our confidence has grown with every game.

“Every time we go into a game we feel like we can win.

“The attitude was always there, but the team has clicked now.

“We were playing well before, but we weren’t getting results.”

It was a memorable afternoon all-round for United, with substitutes Sam Winnall and Cameron Brannagan completing their comebacks – the latter after a serious eye problem had kept him out since October 10.

Albion were poor, but the U’s scored some goals of real quality – with Shodipo’s curling effort to make it 2-0 one of the best.

The QPR loanee has notched seven times this season, despite having never scored in senior football before he struck two minutes into his United debut against MK Dons in October.

Highlights: watch Oxford United's goals at Burton Albion

He said: “Getting that first one helped a lot.

“Now I feel confident striking the ball and when my opportunity comes I know I’ll take the chance.”

The 23-year-old should have had a hat-trick, but inexplicably cleared the bar from three yards out in the second half.

He said: “I don’t know how I missed.

“I should have gone home with the match ball, but it wasn’t to be.

“I’ll be thinking about that one.”

Ruffels’ double meant both left-sided players netted for the second game in a row and Shodipo feels their partnership is flourishing.

“I feel like he trusts me a lot,” he said.

“He gives me the ball and he knows where my strengths are.

“We have a good relationship on the left side, so long may it continue.”