JOHN Mousinho believes it is up to Oxford United’s players to take the lead when it comes to settling supporters’ nerves tomorrow.

Anxiety on the terraces has risen in recent weeks as the U’s have slip to just four points above the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

Despite not playing at home for a month due to the freezing weather, the form in front of their own fans has played its part in the problems.

And in-form Peterborough United will fancy their chances of inflicting a seventh defeat in ten games on home soil.

Mousinho appreciates it could mean a tense atmosphere, but knows there is only one way it can be eased.

The United captain said: “I understand it might be a bit jittery to start with.

“That’s going to be up to us to settle the nerves and try to take control of the game.

“We need to make sure we don’t perform like we have a couple of times at home.

“Then it got very nervy and the team have reacted off the crowd, the crowd have reacted off the team and it’s become a negative and nervous place to play.

“The positive is we had that good reaction off the fans after Plymouth (a 1-0 defeat last month) and we have to come into it and really give them something to cheer about.”

To get themselves out of trouble, United need to tread a fine line between taking their predicament lightly and being overwhelmed by it.

Mousinho said: “The best teams physically win every battle and look really hungry.

“You have to play these games like they’re the last of your life and don’t let the whole cloud of relegation drag you down too much, because you need to remain positive to win games.”

United’s stalling momentum has come in parallel with their search for a manager, which has been running for eight weeks.

It is believed this will be the final game before an appointment, but Mousinho is adamant the uncertainty is not used to justify recent results.

The defender said: “We have to dig in and make sure none of that affects us, because ultimately it doesn’t matter what’s happening with the manager, the results affect peoples’ lives and will affect everybody here.

“It’s just about players taking that upon themselves, doing the right thing and not using it as an excuse.”