Oxford United’s players believe it’s nothing to worry about that the team have failed to find the net in three of their five matches this season.

The goals will come, they insist, because they are making chances all the time.

That was very evident at Wycombe last Saturday, and though scoring opportunities were, as to be expected, fewer at the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday, against Premier League West Ham, there still were some.

James Constable had a low shot saved first half, Asa Hall’s drive was tipped over the bar, and Simon Heslop wasn’t far away with his superb drive at the start of the second half.

“We know there’s goals in the team after the Carling Cup game against Bristol Rovers,” said goalkeeper Ryan Clarke. “It’s only a matter of time.

“We’re creating a lot of chances, we’ve just got to make sure we take Tuesday night into Saturday now.

“I’m sure the boys will do the business up front and I’m sure we can shut up shop at the back.”

Striker Matt Green agreed.

“There’s nothing to worry about. We’re getting opportunities,” he said.

“All three of us – Jack, Beano and me – are all proven goalscorers throughout our careers.

“I’ve been through this many times before, as long as you keep believing in yourself and working hard, it will come. You have to be patient.”

Clarke admitted that, after his slip for York’s goal in the play-off final at Wembley, he was delighted to put in a good performance on the big stage.

His low one-handed save from Scott Parker ten minutes from time was superb.

“It was nice to make that one, it felt good,” he admitted. “It was nice to get a good game under my belt on the big occasion.

“But not just me, Wrighty was like a rock at the back. I know it was a sucker punch at the end but we matched them for 90 minutes.”

The U’s will be desperate to get a win against Accrington Stanley tomorrow, but the Lancashire club have yet to conceded a goal in League Two this season, and their two goals against Newcastle United in Wednesday’s televised Carling Cup tie were quality strikes.

l THE eight West Ham internationals who played against Oxford – Ben Haim, Spector, Parker, Barrera, Faubert, Cole, McCarthy and Piquionne – had no fewer than 196 caps between them!

Just as well some others on the bench didn’t come on. Green, Kovac, Boa Morte and Ilunga shared a further 90 international appearances.