Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has laid down a challenge to centre forward Justin Richards - to see if he can now get among the goals like some of his new team- mates.

Saturday's 3-0 victory over Histon showed how improving United are now looking much more of an attacking threat at home, to the delight of their long-suffering fans.

Oxford hadn't managed a two-goal winning margin at home in the Blue Square League up until Christmas this season, but in the last few weeks they have hamm- ered Altrincham 4-0 and now crushed Histon 3-0 . . . although away, they have still found goals hard to come by.

But with bottom club Droylsden the visitors to the Kassam Stadium this Saturday, it's an ideal opportunity for the new-look U's to build on the result, and their encouraging performance against the Stutes.

Patterson said: "I think we're starting to see that we're better going forward.

"We're big, strong, we hold the ball, and we can get patterns of play going. If you retain the ball up top, you've got every chance of getting your midfielders on the ball, and getting your wide players involved, and I thought we did that very well on Saturday.

"Also we've got pace, so we can stretch teams. So we can mix our game, we can play long or we can play into feet.

"I think it's been the biggest thing in the last three games - the strikers have got a fantastic work ethic. They make it very difficult for opposing back fours. It's something I've stressed quite a lot since I've been in charge, and I think they've upped the bar.

"They're getting better and better, but by no means are the finished article.

"Two goals for Matt Green will do wonders for his confidence.

"I'd just like Justin to start getting goals because, in fairness, I think that's all he needs."

Richards is still looking to get off the mark, but has impressed supporters with how hard he works, and he helped to make Michael Howard's goal against Histon with some clever shielding.

THERE is a chance of further transfer activity at Oxford this week, with Patterson lining up a loan player to come in, but it will only happen, he says, if one goes out. Talks were believed to be taking place last night.