COURAGE is needed if Oxford United are to get off the mark in Sky Bet League One tonight, according to Cameron Brannagan.

Visitors Accrington Stanley were favourites for relegation before the season started, but after three games it is Karl Robinson’s men propping up the division.

A hat-trick of defeats has exposed problems at both ends.

Brannagan believes a lot of issues will be overcome if the U’s can rediscover their preferred style – but cool heads are needed.

He said: “The manager wants us to be brave, get on the ball and in all circumstances try to play out, the way we should play.

“I think he’s right. At times we’re forcing the ball and we’re not being good enough on the ball.

“We’re forcing things and panicking.

“I think everybody needs to step back, take a breath and when we get the ball just relax and play our football.”

And the midfielder, who signed from Liverpool in January, is delighted the squad do not have a week to stew on Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Portsmouth.

He said: “When I walked off that pitch the other day I was so frustrated, it was unbelievable.

“We’re doing the opposite of what we’re good at – we’re a good footballing side and at the minute we’re not doing it.

“Because Tuesday’s come so quick I’m hoping we can get on there, strut our stuff and play some football.”

Accrington’s away games this season have been unpredictable – with a 2-0 league win at Bristol Rovers followed by a 6-1 Carabao Cup defeat against Mansfield Town.

Brannagan is wary of the League Two champions, but is confident of the outcome if United can finally fulfil their potential.

He said: “They play without fear.

“I’d see it as more of a technical game, but we should come out on top because we’ve got the better players.

“We’ve got the team that can really pass the ball around and if we do stick to that I truly believe we should win.”

But before quality comes into play, Robinson stressed the first priority is work rate.

He said: “My job is to make sure we get ourselves out of this and there’s only one way – that’s by working hard.

“That’s got to be our mantra going forward.”