MICHAEL Appleton admitted Oxford United’s 4-0 victory at Rochdale was far better than anything he could have hoped for at the start of what he believes could be a defining week for his side.

Everything about the trip to Spotland, where high-flying Dale had won their previous ten matches in Sky Bet League One, looked tough, but the visitors ultimately won at a canter.

Marvin Johnson and Rob Hall put them 2-0 up before the break and goals from Ryan Taylor and Ryan Ledson were the least United’s play merited in the second half.

It was the perfect way to set up United’s cup double-header at the Kassam Stadium.

Victory against Bradford City on Tuesday would put them one win from Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy, while Newcastle United visit in a sold-out Emirates FA Cup fourth round clash four days later.

The scoreline on Saturday meant Appleton was even able to rest players in the latter stages, something which had not crossed his mind when preparing for the test.

He said: “My biggest concern before the game was losing three in a week and it being an absolute disaster.

“Any manager who says they don’t think like that is a liar.

“I also said to the players this could be a defining week for us.

“It could potentially be one of the biggest weeks in the club’s history, because if we get through on Tuesday we’d be one step from Wembley.

“Then if we were to somehow turn over a top Championship club – does it get any better than that?”

He added: “Without a shadow of a doubt that was the biggest game of the week for me.

“We’ve almost got two free games now to enjoy ourselves and see what we can do.”

While his side have played better football this season, the way they handled the opposition and conditions was a huge positive for Appleton.

He said: “It wasn’t silky, but in terms of knowing what we’re facing and approaching it in the manner we did, it was up there in the top three or four this year, definitely.”

The only hitch for United was a hold-up in the second half when goalkeeper Simon Eastwood discovered a dead rat in his penalty area.

Appleton said: “I asked him why he didn’t pick it up and he said he was scared of them.”