TYLER Goodrham is already looking ahead to some crunch fixtures for Oxford United, even if he admits his opportunities may be limited now the U’s are out of the Papa John’s Trophy.

The 19-year-old forward was United’s brightest spark on an otherwise dismal evening as Karl Robinson’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat at Sutton United in midweek.

The loss eliminated the U’s from the Papa John’s Trophy at the group stage, and Goodrham acknowledged there would be less chances for him to impress Robinson and his coaching staff.

What will be a further source of frustration is that the defeat followed the 4-2 crushing of Exeter City at the weekend.

United must however put the Trophy exit behind them, ahead of a challenging run of fixtures.

The U’s welcome Peterborough United, fourth in Sky Bet League One, on Saturday, before rounding off October with trips to Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers, who are currently fifth and seventh in the league table respectively.

Goodrham said: “We’ve got Peterborough, Pompey and then Bolton, so three massive games coming up.

“It’s important not to stop us, and stop the momentum that we had in the Exeter game, and not let it be a bump in the road but a learning curve for everyone.”

United allowed Sutton’s Coby Rowe to rise highest and head home from a corner, before Stuart Findlay fouled Kylian Kouassi in the penalty box, with the striker dispatching from 12 yards.

The goals were a source of frustration for Robinson, who described the defending for Rowe’s header as ‘horrific’.

Goodrham was similarly irked by the way the U’s conceded at Sutton.

He said: “The boys all week have been really good, from the game on the weekend to now.

“It’s been positive but unfortunately the game wasn’t for us.

“The set piece wasn’t ideal for us and we spoke about the penalty.

“It came from a few other bits before in the build-up, but we know it’s not acceptable and that we shouldn’t be conceding goals like that.

“For myself, it’s less games to try and compete in, and we’re all very disappointed with the outcome.”

Oxford Mail: Tyler Goodrham on the attack against Sutton United. Picture: Steve EdmundsTyler Goodrham on the attack against Sutton United. Picture: Steve Edmunds

Goodrham was full of trickery and was looking to make things happen in the final third whenever he could at Sutton, and reflecting on his own performance, he was upbeat but critical of his final product.

“It shows that I can do that stuff, and try and be as positive as I can,” he said.

“Everyone knows with the chances, I’d back myself to be better and to test the keeper more often.

“There were two in the first half that I should’ve at least hit the target, I hit the post and then one wide.

“In the second half, I had a few chances but I need to be scoring them and working the keeper a bit more.”