Rob Atkinson: Every Oxford United player must score goals

The U’s have found the net just once in their last four Sky Bet League One games to slip from seventh to tenth in the table.

Top-scorers Matty Taylor and Mide Shodipo have failed to notch in their last 18 matches combined, but Atkinson feels United have a collective responsibility in front of goal.

And the centre back has challenged himself to get off the mark.

The 22-year-old said: “We know they’re capable, they’ve done it this season and they’ll start doing it again.

“It’s so important that we all contribute.

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“I find it hard to say that, because I haven’t had a goal or an assist yet.

“I’m still looking to put that right.

“As a back four, we’ve scored goals from set-pieces and we need goals from midfield as well.

“If we want to be successful everyone needs to be contributing.”

Although Atkinson is yet to open his account, the rest of United’s first-choice back four have been productive in front of goal.

Sam Long, Josh Ruffels and Elliott Moore have claimed 12 goals and 11 assists between them in all competitions – finding the net four more times than the whole U’s midfield.

United have only conceded twice in their last four matches, helping them draw with Ipswich Town, MK Dons and leaders Peterborough United.

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The gap to the play-offs grew to six points after the stalemate with the table-toppers, with 16 games still to play.

Atkinson knows the U’s have to start closing in on the top six – beginning with tomorrow’s visit of ninth-placed Charlton Athletic.

He said: “It’ll be a good test – you’d argue they’re not as good as Peterborough on paper, but we can’t afford to come off it.

“We need to start getting those wins again.

“The teams above us aren’t winning their games so they’re not getting further away, but we’re not catching up.

“We need to start capitalising on other teams slipping up.”