Certain players have to improve performances, says Oxford United boss Chris Wilder, ahead of tomorrow’s game at Stockport.

They need to tighten up at the back, and be more decisive at the other end.

It may seem a bit early in the season to describe games already as “must-win” but this is approaching that category for the U’s, certainly if they want to challenge for one of the automatic promotion places.

It is not just that they need to bounce back after two defeats in a row, or that their opponents are bottom of the table, but next midweek they are the only team in the top half of League Two without a fixture – their game against Cheltenham was brought forward – and the following Saturday it’s “a toughie” at Port Vale.

Others behind are chasing hard too. Stevenage and Torquay are both now just two points behind Oxford with two games in hand.

Wilder cannot believe the U’s emerged pointless from the games against Hereford and Lincoln.

“I’m really scratching my head how we’ve not come away with six points because we’ve done enough with the general play,” he said.

“But we’ve been hurt by a lack of concentration in both games.

“I don’t think we’ve had the bounce of the ball, two own goals really have not helped the cause on Tuesday . . . individual errors and we possibly need a little more conviction around the opposition goal.

“With all the teams we have played recently, the opposition managers say what a really good side we are.

“The Lincoln manager was saying they’d have been happy with a point at half-time because we are a really good side.

“Really good sides win games.

“We’ve got to get back to playing well and winning.

“It’s not that long ago that we played Morecambe and put a really good performance together.

“Some have got to improve but I don’t think they’re putting ridiculous performances in.

“We’ve got to make sure we defend tiny bits of the game better, and when we get in the opposition’s box, we must take responsibility, and be better in the final third.”

Stockport will be no push-overs.

They only went down 3-2 at Bradford last Saturday to a Bantams winner in the 95th minute, and that with nine men.

Ryan Doble, who was sent off for a reckless elbow, misses tomorrow’s game because of his three-match suspension.

However, Adam Griffin, the former Oxford United loanee back in 2005-6, is available again after serving his ban, for handling a goalbound effort.

County have a loan goalkeeper, Ipswich’s Ian McLoughlin making his first start in midweek, replacing the experienced Matt Glennon.