SAM Long reckons that things are clicking at just the right time for Oxford United as they look to secure a place in the Sky Bet League One play-offs.

The U’s defender pointed to the return of players from injury, competition in the squad, and adjusting to a tactical tweak under Des Buckingham.

In the aftermath of United’s 5-0 hammering at Bolton Wanderers, Buckingham reverted to a 4-3-3 system which sees the team’s wingers play high and wide, while two attack-minded midfielders get into advanced areas.

The U’s won 4-0 at Burton Albion, to leapfrog Lincoln City, who drew at Reading, and get themselves back into the top six.

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Long has been involved in two League One play-off campaigns for United previously, and is looking forward to potentially having another crack this season.

He said: “We’ve been close a few times, and it’s been tough to take with the results we’ve had, with the one at Wembley and the semi-final against Blackpool.

“Hopefully we can go one better this year if we get in there. We need to concentrate on getting in there first.

“We’ve definitely got belief and we’ve got really good players in the dressing room. We’re hitting form at a really good time, and it can only be good.

“We’ve got competition for places and people coming back fit, like Browney [Marcus Browne], who’s a massive person to come back into the fold at a crucial time of the season.

“When you’ve got those sorts of players that you can rotate or bring on, it’s only good for the squad.

“It’s not just at the front of the pitch though. We’ve got good competition at the back, and even people that are not in the squad.

“It’s really good competition for places, and we’ve got to be on it if we want our shirts.”

The tactical tweak with the U’s means the team’s full backs have to play a more reserved role, but it’s something Long feels the side has adjusted to.

He said: “We’re grasping it at the right time, and you can see with the goals that we’re scoring, and the positions we’re getting into, and the chances we’re creating, that it’s clicking.

“It’s more of a supporting role for us full backs. We recycle it and keep pressure on, rather than it going end-to-end.

“It’s working for us at the moment, and we’ve obviously got a big week coming up, with three tough games, but we’ve got to be ready for it.

“We’ve still got quite a bit to go, but it’s in our hands, and if we concentrate on ourselves, hopefully we’ll be more than capable of staying in there.”

Long has had a campaign hit by injury, with an ankle problem ruling out for more than two and a half months, while concussion saw him sit out three games earlier this year.

He said: “I was out for three months, so it’s not easy coming back and getting put straight back in.

“I feel back to myself, and getting stronger and fitter every week. It comes at a good time, with the run-in that we’ve got coming up.”