DES Buckingham is cautious of the threat an improved Cheltenham Town will pose in his first game as Oxford United head coach. 

The Robins endured an 11-game streak without scoring a league goal at the beginning of the campaign, with Wade Elliott sacked eight matches into that torrid run.

However, since former Bristol Rovers and Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke took charge, the Gloucestershire side have won two and drawn two from seven league games.

The goals have also begun to flow in a steady stream, with seven netted since Clarke’s arrival.

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Despite signs of improvement under a manager who boasts three promotions on his CV, plus two more as player-manager at Salisbury City, U’s boss Buckingham maintains the focus will be on his own team and what they are capable of.

He said: “When you look at the games since the new manager’s come in, they’ve certainly played a lot better and picked up more points, and they’ve obviously started scoring goals.

“The difference in their game is very clear to see, so it’s not the Cheltenham that was.

“That’s something we’re mindful of and we’ll pay respect to that, but it’s about making sure we focus on doing what we want to do.”