A MONTH on from being taught a lesson by Blackburn Rovers, Pep Clotet will find out tomorrow how much Oxford United have learned.

There had been defensive issues in the games preceding Rovers’ visit, but they were truly laid bare in an opening 20 minutes.

United’s mistakes were punished and they were rapidly cut 3-0 adrift, before belatedly stirring themselves to finish 4-2 down.

A response was essential – and it has been a case of so far, so good.

The defence which had been breached 18 times in eight games has only conceded twice, once from the penalty spot, in the last four outings.

But Clotet knows the proof in the pudding will come against leaders Wigan Athletic tomorrow.

“We will make mistakes, that’s common to every team in League One,” United’s manager said.

“The important thing is to learn from them and never make those mistakes again so we can keep a good performance level.

“After Blackburn it was very clear – we cannot give away a result.

“It happens in the game, it’s just finding how can we do it together to improve our focus and maybe have a little more organisation, so if a mistake happens we’re not as vulnerable.

“We’ve been working very hard on that and the week training in Barcelona (earlier this month) was specific for that – how can we improve defensively?

“The good thing is on Saturday we have another test against Wigan.

“I would like to have a game where there are no big mistakes on our side and go from there.

“If Wigan are much better than Oxford then they will have to prove it on the pitch and beat us, but not because we’ve given them something.”

Like Blackburn, Wigan have deep pockets for a club in the third tier and are expected to bounce straight back to the Sky Bet Championship at the first attempt.

A win for Paul Cook’s side would put them through the 50-point mark before the campaign’s halfway stage.

Clotet is well aware of the quality in their squad, but believes his side will be fired-up to spring a surprise.

He said: “Against really good opposition you pay a high price for mistakes and it doesn’t allow you to compete.

“That’s a big focus on Saturday to make sure we’re solid and don’t give them anything.

“Slowly we have to try to use our football and try to spot their weaknesses.

“They’ve won their last four games and it’s a team that have the resources which are more like a Championship club compared to everyone in League One.

“I’m really looking forward to that game, because despite it being very difficult, I know the players have that motivation.

“They only need to focus on putting in a good display on the pitch and making sure that intensity is there.

“Then let’s see what we can get.”