JAKE Wright says that Oxford United have to start games on the front foot if they are to get out of their sticky patch.

The U’s have trailed 2-0 within 15 minutes in their last two games, and Wright admits that until that stops, the U’s will struggle.

“You’re told that when you start playing football at six years old,” United’s captain said.

“Don’t concede in the first 15 minutes, keep it tight just before half-time and make sure you don’t concede at the start of the second half.

“We haven’t done any of those today.”

He added: “We are given all the information we need on the opposition and as players we have to do our jobs.

“We are prepared right, but need to start well and on the front foot – it’s just one of those things and I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s got to change, that’s for sure.”

Wright said that confidence in the camp has obviously been dented by their fourth straight defeat, but says that there are enough strong characters around to put things right.

“Confidence is low, of course it is,” he said.

“The lads are down and the gaffer has told us we were not good enough today.

“We all knew that, but it has to be said. There were a few home truths said in there and we’ll be in again on Monday and we’ll do things right and work towards getting the three points against Cheltenham next week.”

United’s skipper said that the manner of the goals was the most disappointing aspect of the defeat.

“You don’t like it, but you can accept losing if a team has been brilliant or you have been unlucky or been beaten by a wonder goal – but not like that,” he said.

“Every goal we should have done better with.

“Clarkey’s obviously made a mistake with the third one, but we aren’t going to stand here and blame him for it – he’s been our best player this season and that’s one mistake all year.

“We’ve got to make sure we get Clarkey out of the rubbish and score two or three more goals so it’s forgotten about at the end.

“But we haven’t done that, we have let them dominate and I am devastated with the result.

“They are good at what they do here, but we know we have not played anywhere near as well as we can.”