Des Buckingham hails Oxford’s work rate in draw with Burnley

Oxford boss Des Buckingham saluted the hard work his players put in to holding Burnley to a goalless draw at the Kassam Stadium and continue their unbeaten home record this campaign.

In a contest of few clear chances, Scott Parker’s men went close with Jamie Cumming tipping Luca Koleosho’s effort over the bar early in the second half.

Oxford almost grabbed victory late on when Tyler Goodrham saw his low shot blocked on the line by Maxime Esteve.

“It’s a big jump to come up against what was a Premier League club last season, but what we’ve shown already in these first seven games is that if we stick true to what we try to do, we’ll put ourselves in the best position to get good performances and secondly results,” Buckingham said.

“We knew today was going to be a very tough test at home but I’ve said to the players in the dressing room that they can be extremely proud of how hard they’ve worked to secure at least a point from this game.

“The last three home games have probably been a little bit more Oxford, with more chances, but we will need that other side to the game, and I’m extremely pleased with what I’ve seen today.

“It was a controlled performance from us. I think they’ve had one shot on target throughout the whole game, as have we, so it was a pretty balanced game in that respect.

“They had a lot more of the ball but I thought defensively our structure was good, solid, the players were clear on what they had to do.

“We’re being tested at a level we never have been before, and the pleasing thing is that we’re able to adapt to it, and have adapted to it to get something from this game.”

Burnley dropped a place to fourth in the Championship and boss Parker felt it was a missed opportunity.

He said: “I’m a bit disappointed and frustrated. They’re obviously unbeaten at home and had won their first three here in the Championship.

“It was a real dogged, disciplined performance from them and one where we had to break them down.

“We dominated possession but today was always going to depend on us taking our chances and whether we could do that – and we didn’t.

“When two big opportunities came our way, we didn’t manage to convert them. But we come out with a point.

“Today’s game was always going to be about fine margins, so yes it’s disappointing we couldn’t execute those fine margins and break them down and convert when the chances came our way, but I’m pleased overall with how we approached the game.”