TEN games into the season is traditionally when you can start judging a club’s level, although that has not been so true for Oxford United in recent years.

The U’s were 12th with 12 points and 21st with nine at this stage of 2019/20 and 2020/21 respectively, but reached the Sky Bet League One play-offs both times.

They are eighth with 15 points this year, despite a slow September following an encouraging August.

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There was clear progress between the defeat at Cheltenham Town to Tuesday’s 5-1 win over Accrington Stanley, though.

United did not create chances at Whaddon Road, then created them but failed to take them in the draw with Gillingham.

But on Tuesday, it all came together.

Defending set-pieces was an issue at the start of the month, but United have not conceded from a corner or free-kick in four games.

One concern is that the U’s are not riding out good spells from the opposition, with Cheltenham, Gillingham and Accrington all scoring when on top.

United will want to build on their last two games and tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday is a good test of how far they have come.