Oxford United boss Chris Wilder is convinced his three new signings have improved the side – and now the hard work begins this week in trying to develop some understanding.

The U’s 2-1 defeat to Rotherham at Don Valley Stadium on Saturday was their third successive npower League Two defeat and their fourth on the spin in all competitions.

But Wilder saw enough from the trio – Ben Futcher, Paul Wotton and Steve Maclean – to believe they have, and will, make a difference.

He just wishes he had someone like Rotherham’s Adam Le Fondre, a player who comes alive in the penalty area, and whose goals won the match.

“I take heart from the way we played and competed, but I don’t want us to be an average team,” said Wilder.

“That’s why I’ve brought players in who I felt would make a difference, and I thought they did. They influenced players around them and I was delighted with their performances.

“But Le Fondre’s got a lot of goals in this league, and you can see why.

“We switched off, there was a lack of concentration, so hopefully with a week’s work with the new players we can tighten things up in there.

“It has been a bit rushed with the new signings coming straight in to play, but there’s no excuses, and on another day I think we could have got something.

“Le Fondre’s sharp in the box and he’s punished us. He’s the best finisher in the league. We were on the front foot and he knocked us back.”

Le Fondre, nicknamed Alfie by his teammates, smashed 30 goals last season, and his double against Oxford took his tally this campaign to 16 already, with 15 in the league.

“Oxford had chances, but Alfie’s got this brilliant knack of being in the right place at the right time,” said Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore.

“I cannot believe that no-one’s called us about him. He could play at Championship level, no doubt.”

While Le Fondre stood out, new boy Maclean, on loan from Plymouth, impressed for United.

“On a real difficult pitch, I thought all our best play came through him,” said Wilder.

“Steve’s not had enough training sessions with us yet – he’s been chucked in.

“We had probably more possession at the top end of the pitch than they did, but Le Fondre punished us.”