OXFORD UNITED, A, DEC 10

Michael Duff lived in Oxfordshire as a teenager when his father was based at RAF Brize Norton, while he rates Karl Robinson’s Us as one of the better teams in League One.

Oxford have been close to the

Championship for years, losing in the play-off final in 2020, then the semi-final in 2021 then they missed out on the play-offs last year with 76 points which put them eighth.

They picked up just 11 points from their first 11 games this season which left them only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

But now they are 13th, six points behind Barnsley, and unbeaten in eight in all competitions heading into tomorrow’s match at Accrington.

Barnsley have only won twice in 12 games at Oxford, and none of the last five with the only trip in the 21st century a 2019 2-2 draw in which Daniel Stendel’s side came back from 2-0 down.

Herbie Kane was a regular for the Us last season on loan from Barnsley while Robbie Cundy is from Oxford and was released by them as a youngster.