MARK Sykes is pleased to play a part in Oxford United’s newfound defensive solidity.

The U’s had not kept a clean sheet in 2022 until last Saturday, but achieved two shutouts in four days as they beat Charlton Athletic and Crewe Alexandra.

United will want more of the same against Cambridge United this afternoon (3pm), on the day they pay tribute to Joey Beauchamp following the club legend’s death last weekend.

Karl Robinson switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation at Charlton and Crewe, although the U’s head coach may be forced into a change of shape with Elliott Moore expected to miss out with an ankle injury.

Read also: Karl Robinson wary of former Oxford United striker

Sykes impressed at right wing back in the last two games and feels United are benefitting from firmer foundations.

The Irishman said: “It’s not as if the problem’s gone, but we conceded three against Bolton and we can’t win games when we’re conceding that many.

“We only needed to score one goal against Crewe to win the game – before that it felt like we had to score two or three.

“Hopefully we can keep that going until the end of the year.

“The last two games have felt really good being a bit more comfortable at the back.

“It looks like we’re not really getting hit on the counter-attack or being as open.

“When me or Willo (left wing back Ryan Williams) goes, the other stays and gives us a platform to build on at the back.”

Sykes has mostly played on the right of a front three this season, weighing in with eight goals and two assists.

He was moved to wing back during last month’s 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday and this week has enabled him to hone the defensive side of his game.

At Crewe, he was up against Dan Agyei, who only left the U’s four weeks ago.

The 24-year-old said: “When he was here I used to tell him when he got people one-v-one to just run at them, because not many people can stop him.

“When I saw him squaring me up the other night I was thinking ‘hopefully he doesn’t do what I told him’.

“I felt like I dealt with it okay and the defensive side is something I want to work on.”

Karl Robinson: Joey Beauchamp can be a source of motivation for Oxford United

A good week on the pitch was overshadowed by Beauchamp’s death last Saturday, aged 50, with United planning several tributes against Cambridge.

Sykes was not aware of the former winger before arriving at the Kassam Stadium in 2019, but appreciates how much he means to U’s fans.

He said: “There’s a lot of things around the training ground which mention past players.

“There’s a couple of Irish lads that were formerly here, so we get reminded of them.

“You’ve got to familiarise yourself with the background of the club, just to make a little bit of a relationship with the fans.

“You represent them on the pitch, so you want to do the best you can for them.

“That’s what football’s about, we noticed that when there was no-one in the grounds.

“When the fans are there it means a lot more to players, so it’s really about them.”