Chris Wilder feels that a win is just around the corner as Oxford United look to end their four-match losing streak at home to Gillingham in Saturday's League Two encounter.
Saturday’s defeat at Rotherham means that it is important that the U’s get back to winning ways against the Kent strugglers.
Andy Hessenthaler’s side have gone 30 league games without an away victory, which represents the worst run in all four divisions.
So far this season, their first since relegation, they have lost seven away games out of .
Last season they failed to win a single match away from the Priestfield Stadium.
And their recent record means they have failed to win any of their last five league matches – or six if you count their humiliating 2-0 FA Cup exit at the hands of Blue Square Bet South Dover Athletic.
Their last away win came the season before last when they beat Shrewsbury 1-0 in the League 2 play-offs at Wembley.
But Wilder said the Gillingham’s wretched record would not be influencing his team selection.
“I’m not going to comment on the other club. We will do everything that we normally do in terms of preparation for the game,” he said.
“We’ll look at the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition just like every manager up and down the country will be doing before Saturday.”
Wilder added: “The level of performance against Rotherham was okay against a decent side.
“But the bottom line is our play is okay between the boxes, but we have to make sure that we are safe and sound in defence and keep creating chances at the other end.
“I think a result is just around the corner and we have to keep faith in what we are doing.
“It’s going against us at the moment, but we have to keep believing and improve our performance.
“Everybody has to up the standard.
“I think we have a committed group of players that work hard on the training pitch and in the matches.
“I don’t think we are far off. We have to keep doing the things we have been doing, that we pass and play.
“We have to make sure we give our supporters something to shout about and if we do that then we can get a positive result.”
Ben Futcher, who made his debut in last Saturday’s defeat at Rotherham, could have been wearing a different coloured shirt when he runs out tomorrow.
The 6ft 7ins defender who is on loan at Oxford until January, turned down a move to Gillingham in favour of a move to the Kassam Stadium.
“He’s known Chris Wilder for a while and I think that’s why,” said Gillingham boss Andy Hess-enthaler.
“We did speak about him. He gave us a thought, but he decided to go there.
“You are not always going to get players to come and play for you.”
One player who won’t be appearing is Gillingham’s former Oxford United youngster Simon King.
The defender, now 27, who joined the Gills from Barnet in a £200,000 deal in 2007, is still getting back to full fitness after recovering from torn ankle ligaments.
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