OXFORD United saw their goals against tally hit nine in two games with their 3-0 defeat at new Sky Bet Championship leaders Sheffield United.

The loss followed the 6-2 thrashing at home against Middlesbrough on Saturday, with a concerning trend for some of the goals conceded.

Against Boro, the third goal came after Ciaron Brown lost his footing and consequently possession, leaving the U’s defence exposed.

In fairness, United got back into shape quickly, however Finn Azaz slid Emmanuel Latte Lath between Sam Long and Elliott Moore, with the Boro striker beating the offside trap and then Jamie Cumming.

The fourth goal was only four minutes into the second period, with an Azaz ball over the top finding Latte Lath in on goal and with only Moore for company.

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There was a similar theme against the Blades last night, with two goals conceded when opposition forwards managed to get one-on-one with Cumming.

The second goal at Bramall Lane saw Brown lose possession just inside his own half, and the Blades were then quickly in on goal.

Sydie Peck pounced onto the loose ball, passing to Gustavo Hamer, who played a lovely first-time ball round the corner for Tyrese Campbell.

The striker’s first touch took him away from Long, and he then rounded Cumming before applying the finish.

Thirteen minutes into the second period, the Blades ensured the points when Hamer drove a pass through the heart of the U’s backline, allowing Jesurun Rak-Sakyi a one-on-one opportunity, and the winger arrowed his effort into Cumming’s bottom left corner.

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Asked by this newspaper after the full-time whistle at Bramall Lane whether the concession of one-on-one opportunities was a weakness right now, head coach Des Buckingham said: “How you want to press it or how you want to set up against it, but the reality is they’ve got players that are very good and quick in central areas.

“They rolled into a four-man midfield, almost a box, and at times, they can free themselves.

“They’re quick enough and good enough, and able to move the ball very quickly to do that, but once again, it’s something we’re adapting to and getting better at.

“Certainly against this type of team, we need to make sure that we don’t give them too many opportunities.”

He added: “It’s important that we’ve got two different ways that we can play. I’ve been here for a year now, and everyone’s very aware that we want to play a certain way, with a formation that allows us to do certain things.

“But we also had to adapt and evolve. That 3-4-3 that we played over the last couple of weeks, that still allows us to develop who we are and what we are because there will be times in games, however we set up, we may need to change. It’s always about getting better and improving.”