MARK Sykes says Oxford United’s September opponents show there are no easy games in Sky Bet League One.

The U’s host Gillingham on Saturday looking to end a four-match winless run, having lost 1-0 at last season’s Sky Bet League Two champions Cheltenham Town five days ago.

It was United’s third meeting with a newly-promoted side in 2021/22, but those games have yielded just one point.

Next up are a Gillingham team who sit 19th in League One but will set out to frustrate the U’s – as they did for long spells of their last clash in April.

Read also: Karl Robinson insists Oxford United will 'click' - here's what the stats say

United need a reaction to the Cheltenham defeat, but Sykes knows how hard they will have to work for victory.

The midfielder said: “Honestly, Cheltenham got promoted last year so in this league you’re not going to get an easy game.

“Saturday’s going to be tough, we know what Gillingham play like.

“It’s the same whoever you play, so we’ve got to stick to our guns and hopefully the points come.”

Last season, 55 of United’s 74 points came against teams in the bottom half of League One.

It is early days, but they appear to have carried the same trait into the new campaign.

The U’s have claimed ten points from their four matches against sides currently in the bottom half, with the home draw against Wycombe Wanderers all they have taken against clubs in the top 12.

Sykes said: “Last year, the lower half of the league was where we were getting most of our joy.

“We need to sort ourselves out and get back on track.”