ANDY Melville believes having a settled back four has been fundamental to Oxford United’s excellent defensive record this season.

While the squad has been hit hard with injuries this season, with the exception of Jake Wright the defensive areas have been relatively unscathed.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Morecambe, United have conceded just 14 goals in 16 games.

It is the joint best in Sky Bet League Two and less than half the 30 goals they had leaked by the same point last season.

Melville, who won 65 caps at centre half for Wales, credits the whole team for being tough to break down, but was particularly pleased with the back four and goalkeeper Ryan Clarke.

United’s first team coach said: “The coaching staff do a lot of work on defending from the front and protecting from midfield.

“It’s a team thing and we’re really pleased with that side of it.

“A massive thing has been the consistency of playing together and being familiar with each other, which has been better this season.

“Even though we have a few injuries the defence has been pretty consistent.

“If you can keep that side of it nice and strong it gives you a good base.”

It has come after United made significant personnel changes to the first-choice defence during the summer.

Full backs David Hunt and Tom Newey were among the new signings and Melville has been delighted with their no nonsense approach.

He said: “The game has changed where you want your full backs getting forward, but first and foremost they are defenders.

“Sometimes players can look good on the eye, but people don’t realise the other side of the game.

“Hunty and Tom bring us that stability defensively and maybe we didn’t have that in the past with certain players.”