DEREK Fazackerley is open to changing Oxford United’s formation in a bid to improve their defensive record – but it is unlikely to happen tomorrow.

As a defender himself during a long playing career, the U’s struggles at the back have been felt particularly keenly by their caretaker manager.

The 3-1 defeat at Rotherham United in midweek brought up a half century of goals conceded, just two short of the side’s total from the whole of the last league campaign.

Fazackerley is prepared to be flexible tactically – experimenting with a back three in his first game in charge, the 3-0 Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Stamford Bridge.

But while it is an option, there is unlikely to be a new look for tomorrow’s game with Plymouth Argyle.

“I would certainly consider changing the system,” the U’s boss said.

“We did it at Chelsea and unfortunately that didn’t work for us.

“It’s just trying to get the balance right between having enough defenders and still having that creative ability in the attacking third.

“It is something you do chew over.

“It’s more difficult when there’s midweek games because you don’t get a great deal of time to work on it.

“But in a clear week you look at it in training – as we have done on a couple of occasions – and see whether that will make us a little bit more resilient.”

Scoring goals has not been a problem for much of the campaign, but it is being undermined by the issues at the other end.

Fazackerley acknowledged it should be more straightforward to correct than if the side were tighter defensively, but struggled for goals.

He said: “You would think that to learn to defend and keep clean sheets would be easier to achieve than scoring goals.

“But unfortunately for the vast majority of the season that’s not been the case.

“Fundamentally there’s something not quite right and we’ve got to try to solve that.”

The other recurring theme in recent weeks has been the home record.

Following the fifth defeat in eight games, against Bristol Rovers last weekend, Fazackerley sensed players had become nervous at the Kassam Stadium.

But that did not mean tomorrow was a day for packing his side with experienced heads.

“No, because I think unfortunately one or two of the older heads have been affected as much as one or two of the younger ones,” he said.

“Sometimes the younger players come in like a breath of fresh air.

“Malachi (Napa) plays with a smile on his face and doesn’t seem to be affected by the situation.

“That’s what you want from players, but everybody’s different.”