DEREK Fazackerley has warned that Oxford United’s poor run has significantly raised the stakes ahead of this weekend’s clash with Plymouth Argyle.

A 3-1 defeat at Rotherham United on Tuesday night was the side’s fifth in their last six outings in all competitions.

They have now slipped to 13th in the Sky Bet League One table and concerns are rising about the prospect the U’s could be dragged into a relegation battle.

Caretaker manager Fazackerley did not shy away from the situation and knows the priority is to reach the 50-point safety mark as quickly as possible.

“When you start the season that is first and foremost your aim,” he said.

“I’ve not looked over my shoulder yet, but of course the longer you go without wins (the worse it gets).

“It’s only two games ago that we had a fantastic win at Charlton – but you can’t keep passing up opportunities.

“A home game against Plymouth is one that’s becoming almost a must-win. The players and the crowd sense that and there’s a little bit of extra pressure because of it.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to handle that and have a decent enough performance that will help us get the result that everybody wants.”

While the three wins – plus a couple of draws – needed to guarantee survival from the remaining 14 fixtures should be achievable, the worry is United’s downward trajectory.

A lack of confidence has been clear to see in defeats to Bristol Rovers and Rotherham, while Plymouth have won four in a row to get within sight of the play-off places.

It is not long ago United were still talking of a top-six push, but their ambitions have been scaled back.

And Fazackerley acknowledged the loss of momentum was the main source of concern.

He said: “It is and it’s disappointing, because from being in a position where we wanted to kick on and chase the play-off positions, now it’s becoming a mid-table battle but wary of what’s going on behind us.

“We have to deal with that.

“There’s some experienced players in the squad who will hopefully help the younger players.”

Saturday’s game is the fifth in temporary charge for Fazackerley, whose chances of being appointed in a more permanent role have been hit by the successive defeats.

U’s chairman Darryl Eales has indicated next week was the most likely timing for an announcement, with ex-Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs a new front-runner with one bookmaker.