Matt Bloomfield interview: Oxford United boss believes club can avoid Championship relegation

It was a victory that gave Oxford United and Matt Bloomfield real hope.

A 2-1 win over West Brom, to move within three points of the Baggies and safety. Their first goals, and win, at home since Boxing Day. Their first at the Kassam under Bloomfield.

"The win on Saturday was big for us," he tells Sky Sports. "The lads were fantastic. It was a tough game, but we showed quality with two excellent goals and real defensive resilience.

"As an overall team performance, I was really pleased. Hopefully it can be a springboard for what we want to achieve.

"There were a lot of pleasing things in previous performances, but we were not always getting the points our play deserved. You need wins to really build belief and confidence."

Got Sky? Watch your EFL team on the Sky Sports app

Not got Sky? Stream your EFL team with no contract

Get more EFL to your phone with WhatsApp

It was just the second league win since Bloomfield took charge, but there have been some positive performances sprinkled in.

Two notable goalless draws away at Coventry and Middlesbrough, the primary promotion chasers, underlined the grit and resilience built within the group.

"We have had some really challenging games but I have been pleased with how we have acquitted ourselves," Bloomfield says. "The tactical discipline, the spirit, the character and the resilience have stood out.

"The players fight for each other and train really hard. We have gone to tough places and picked up points. Now it is about carrying that spirit and togetherness into the rest of the season."

It's a spirit he has tried to build since he first came in. Bloomfield arrived in early January with the club in the bottom three.

His last job in charge of Luton was a similar attempt at a rescue act, albeit in somewhat different circumstances.

In the end, the Hatters fell into League One, but from March onwards they were one of the form teams in the Championship - winning six and drawing three of their final 12.

It has given him an understanding of what has to be done.

"I knew what was needed when I came in," he says. "First and foremost, we had to get the football club believing again that we could stay in the division. We needed to restore spirit and the feeling that we could achieve what we wanted.

"We want to play in a way the supporters believe in, getting wide players on the pitch and attacking as much as possible, but it also has to suit the group. You cannot just impose something without considering the players you have.

"Building relationships with supporters and everyone around the club was crucial. Every single person involved is important to us competing at this level.

"There have been pleasing moments and others where we need to improve, but as long as we are moving forward, I believe we have enough quality to get the points we need."

A huge week is coming up for Oxford United. It starts at Preston on Friday night - live on Sky Sports - and is followed by two winnable home games against Blackburn and Charlton next Wednesday and Saturday.

If they win at Deepdale, they would climb out of the bottom three for at least 24 hours. It may not last the whole weekend, but it would be the first time under Bloomfield the U's sat above the dotted line.

"We have to prepare properly and focus on putting in a performance that can win a match," he says. "Nothing is decided on one night and we cannot get too emotional.

"We have to focus on what we can control, train properly, and keep adding points to our total. If we perform to the levels we know we can reach, we will give ourselves the best possible chance.

"We believe in the work we are doing and in our group. We would not be here undertaking this challenge if we did not believe in it.

"There is an exciting long-term future for the football club, which was another reason I wanted to come here. But first and foremost, we have to execute the work between now and May.

"If we focus on what we can control and keep improving day by day, we believe we can pick up the points we need."

Click here to read article