MATTY Taylor reckons Oxford United have swapped style for substance, enabling he and his teammates to go on an eight-game unbeaten run.

United haven’t lost a game since the 2-1 defeat at home to Peterborough United on October 22.

Since then, the U’s have drawn four matches in Sky Bet League One, winning another two.

The club has also set up a glamour tie at home to Arsenal in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, following victories against Woking and Exeter City.

Taylor believes the team has become more solid defensively in recent weeks, although that means a loss of sharpness at the other end of the pitch.

In 2021, United scored 109 goals in the calendar year, reaching their century on December 4.

At that point, only Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United had scored more in the calendar year.

This year, the U’s have managed 82 goals.

Thirty-nine of them have come this season, while Taylor has only bagged five of those.

The 32-year-old-striker said: “The unbeaten run stands for itself, we’ve definitely turned a corner and performances are improving game by game.

“We look more of a unit and not as free-flowing as we have been, but we’re definitely going in the right direction.

“We’re a lot harder to beat and hopefully we can just keep improving.

“There’s plenty of games left and plenty of points to be won, so fingers crossed we keep this unbeaten run going.”

After the 4-1 win at home to Exeter in the FA Cup, attention turns back to the league and the trip to Accrington Stanley this afternoon.

United have enjoyed a mixed set of results at the Wham Stadium in recent years, with the last three visits producing a loss, a win and a draw.

Taylor scored two late goals in a 4-1 victory in September 2020, but the U’s were beaten 2-0 during their last visit, in February.

“It’s always tough – we’ve had some good results there in the last few years but it’s always been a tough game,” said Taylor.

“They’re a hard-working, honest bunch with threats all over the pitch.”

READ MORE: Karl Robinson praises Accrington boss for longevity at club

One area where Stanley are set to be dangerous from is set pieces, in particular the long throw-in of Blackpool loanee Doug Tharme.

Taylor though said coming up against threatening set plays is the norm in League One.

“Most teams are pretty good from set pieces now, so you’ve got to be switched on and organised, not just for the first phase but the second and third phases,” he said.

“We know our roles and we’ve just got to keep it out the net, and hopefully put it in theirs.”