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Michael Blackwood says it's been a return to getting the basics right which has prompted Oxford United's winning run.

The left-sided midfielder, who filled in at left back in United's 2-1 victory over Stevenage on Easter Monday, revealed how boss Darren Patterson had told the team that if they could just keep it tight at the back, they had the players who would get them goals.

And that's what they have done, with successive Blue Square Premier triumphs against Stafford, Halifax and Stevenage which have lifted Oxford from 16th in the table to 11th.

"We got back together as a team and the manager and coaches have been brilliant as well," Blackwood said.

"After Burton, we got back to basics on the training ground and started again. And basically, if we can keep clean sheets, we've got the strikers who will score goals.

"Justin Richards is a proven goalscorer in this league, Matt Green is a threat and then we've got people like Yemi (Odubade) on the bench, and Macca (Craig McAllister) coming on.

"We should have a lot of belief in this squad if we keep on playing as a team. We've won three on the bounce now and it's like that on the training ground, to be honest.

"The team performance all over was solid against Stevenage so I was delighted that we got three points.

"It was a bit unfortunate that we conceded the goal.

"But the response from Matt Green, and all the lads, was great and just what we wanted We dominated the game and didn't get our heads down when they equalised, and got the goal we deserved."

Blackwood, who like Richards is on loan from Kidderminster until the end of the season, says it's just disappointing for all concerned that the play-offs are out of reach because of the poor form earlier in the season.

"It must be frustrating for our fans," he admitted.

"We just have to enjoy it while it lasts, feel good about ourselves and see where we can finish in the league, and hopefully we can take it on into pre-season."

And Blackwood, who loves to bomb down the left wing, admitted he had to be very disciplined on Monday, despite many times wanting to overlap teammate Phil Trainer to start up attacks.

"I could see the gaffer saying to me 'get back' and I had to remember that I was playing at left back," he chuckled. "I don't mind where I play . . . I get more of the ball at left back, to be honest.

"We passed the ball really well, but we do that in training every day and it's good that we can show the fans what we can do at home. We've played tremendously well away from home in the last couple of weeks, on some tough grounds, butand I'm glad that our supporters can see now how well we can play."

6:59pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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