IMPROVEMENTS are needed in Oxford United’s discipline but they are not a dirty team, according to Chris Wilder.

The squad were reminded of their responsibilities this week in the wake of Damian Batt’s red card in the 2-1 defeat at Bradford City last weekend.

It was the second dismissal in three games for the U’s, who went top of the npower League Two charts for fouls before the Bantams’ game in midweek.

Wilder felt it was an area which needed looking at, particularly as the pressure grows towards the end of the season.

But he stressed the side’s position in the foul play league was down to being robust, rather than anything more sinister.

He said: “We have to be better with the discipline.

“I think we’re a competitive side, I don’t think we’re a dirty side – players don’t roll over and try to get people booked, we compete, take a tackle and give a tackle.

“It is a situation we have looked at in the early part of the season to be fair and we say before every game that we have to keep the foul count down.”