Jake Wright knows that if Oxford United are to stay in the npower League Two play-off places, they have to break down teams at home.

Saturday’s loss against Crewe Alexandra at the Kassam Stadium was only United’s second defeat of the season at home.

But they have drawn as many games as they have won in front of their home fans – and actually won more matches on their travels, although they have played two more away games.

However, with their next three home matches coming against the three teams sitting just outside the relegation zone, Wright knows that United must make home advantage count.

The U’s have won only one of their last four home games, and on Saturday could not break down a Crewe side that defended deep and were happy to soak up pressure.

And that, Wright says, has to change.

“I think 90 per cent of the clubs that come here sit behind the ball,” United’s skipper said.

“We have got to think about that as Hereford will do that this weekend.”

The U’s captain accepts that they are able to impose their game on teams more away from home, but knows that the upcoming games at the Kassam Stadium are huge.

“I would always rather be at home than away,” he said.

“The fans here are brilliant, we get big crowds here and they get right behind us.

“But it is sometimes more difficult as teams come and set up in a certain way. Away from home, we play exactly the same, but get more chance to play our football because teams are coming at us more.

“It is difficult, but we need to learn to break down the teams.

“If we get the first goal then it is really difficult for teams to get back into it, so we know that’s what we have got to do.”

Boss Chris Wilder echoed the thoughts of his skipper.

“We are a scalp here (at the Kassam Stadium), and have to overcome it,” he said.