ANTHONY Forde says Oxford United have the chance to build some much-needed momentum after a difficult start to the campaign.

The Irishman was brought into the starting line-up for last weekend’s 4-1 victory at Accrington Stanley and performed impressively in his first Sky Bet League One appearance of 2020/21.

The win got the U’s off the mark for the season and they will hope for more of the same against Crewe Alexandra tomorrow.

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Another triumph would help to put United’s tough start to the campaign behind them and Forde revealed the Accrington game had given the squad a lift this week.

He said: “That’s why that win was so important for us – it gives everyone that kick.

“You go into training and everything’s better after a win, so we just need to focus on each game and show people what we’re capable of.”

Karl Robinson’s side can take heart from a similarly frustrating start to last season, when they claimed just five points from their opening seven games.

But after losing 2-1 at Fleetwood Town on September 7, United went unbeaten for 18 matches as they well and truly found their feet.

Forde, 26, figured 13 times during that run and hopes the U’s first league success of the campaign shows they have turned a corner.

He said: “Hopefully the same thing happens.

“I think we’ve looked at what we’ve done wrong early enough and hopefully we’ve got that out of the way before it carried on.

“We proved that last Saturday, but that’s just one game and it’s forgotten about now.”

United won at Accrington despite being depleted by injuries and illness, with three quarters of the back four playing while under the weather.

Cameron Brannagan was only well enough to make the bench, where he was joined by youngsters Kyran Lofthouse and Michael Elechi.

Forde slotted into central midfield alongside James Henry as Robinson returned to his favoured 4-3-3 formation, but his 34 appearances for the U’s have also seen him feature at full back and on the wing.

While his versatility has proved useful for United, the former Wolves man is itching to keep his place in the middle of the park.

He said: “I think everyone knows what they’re used for when they come into the team.

“Centre midfield is where I feel most comfortable.

“That’s where I’ve played for the last few games and I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I feel like that brings the best out of me and hopefully I’ll stay in the team and kick on.”