DISCIPLINED. Drilled. Gritty. Organised. Steely.

Use any or all the above words to describe Oxford United’s goalless draw at home to Burnley.

There was a noticeable shift in style from United compared to their previous three home games so far in Sky Bet Championship, ultimately out of respect for a Clarets side which was playing Premier League football last season.

We had a look at some of the key talking points from the game.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings after Oxford United hold Burnley to draw

U’s prove tough nut to crack

So far this campaign, United have made the Kassam Stadium a fortress, with three victories from three prior to the weekend.

The opening win against Norwich City was founded on an intense and aggressive press, while against Preston North End and Stoke City, the U’s were again on the front foot, but had to roll up their sleeves as well.

The visit of Burnley arguably represented United’s toughest challenge so far though.

The Clarets were a Premier League team just a few months ago, and Scott Parker has built a side extremely capable in possession since arriving as head coach in the summer.

Burnley keep the ball superbly well, and have attacking players that can do all sorts of damage at this level.

A look at their starting line-up yesterday proves that. On the left, Jeremy Sarmiento is an Ecuador international on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, while on the right, 20-year-old Luca Koleosho is an Italy Under-21 international.

Playmaker Hannibal Mejbri played 13 times for Manchester United before joining the Clarets for more than £5 million in the summer, while striker Lyle Foster cost Burnley a reported £11m in January 2023.

The U’s saw dropping that little bit deeper and keeping their shape as the best way to tackle the Clarets.

And it worked perfectly. United denied Burnley space to work in, and while the visitors enjoyed 70 per cent of the ball, they only had one shot on target.

It was a different approach from U’s head coach Des Buckingham, but one that drew plenty of praise from his opposite number Parker.

Reshuffle at the back

For a game whereby defensive solidity was the primary focus, it was brave of Buckingham to switch up his back four.

Leicester City loanee Ben Nelson came in for his United debut, meaning Ciaron Brown moved across to left back.

Nelson grew into the game after a perhaps slightly shaky start to it. He showed though his ability to bring the ball out from the back, while defending solidly, while Brown is such a consistent performer, he took to his task with ease.

Injection from the bench

With just under 20 minutes to go, Buckingham looked to his bench to make a forward push late on.

Owen Dale and Kyle Edwards were sent on in place of Siriki Dembele and Ruben Rodrigues, as Dale took to the right wing, with Edwards on the left.

Tyler Goodrham tucked inside Dale into midfield and sniffed out a chance by winning the ball on the edge of the Clarets box.

Dale impressed with a fresh burst of energy and intent, after what has been a bit of a stop-start season with injury at the beginning.

He made a great impact when he joined from Blackpool on January deadline day, and will be hoping to kick on now this season and reclaim a starting berth.