VICTORY tomorrow would significantly ease Oxford United’s relegation fears – and in some seasons would be good enough to secure survival.

With 42 points on the board, the biggest question for everyone connected with the club is how many of the remaining 11 games do the U’s need to win?

The 50-point barrier is traditionally seen as the safety mark, although in eight of the last 20 seasons that has not been enough.

Twice in that period teams have gone down with 51, so United require ten points before they can breathe easily.

But they could get away with just two wins, as the average haul of the side finishing fourth bottom has been 48 points.

The lowest bar was set in 2011/12, when Wycombe Wanderers came 21st with just 43.

Derek Fazackerley has no intention of just scraping by, though.

The caretaker boss believes the most important factor is United staying in control of their own fate.

He said: “We’re very aware of the results the teams at the lower end are getting, as always happens at this time of the year. But it’s in our own hands.

“Ultimately we have to look after ourselves.

“The situation has got gradually worse over the last three or four games, but it’s something we have well within our means to put right ourselves.

“That’s the only way you can approach it.

“We’ll be doing everything to get the results that will retain the club’s status at this level and finish as high as we possibly can.”

Final points of sides finishing 21st in the third tier

  • 2016/17: 49pts (Port Vale)
  • 15/16: 46 (Doncaster)
  • 14/15: 50 (Notts Co)
  • 13/14: 47 (Tranmere)
  • 12/13: 48 (Scunthorpe)
  • 11/12: 43 (Wycombe)
  • 10/11: 47 (Dag & Red)
  • 09/10: 50 (Gillingham)
  • 08/09: 49 (Northampton)
  • 07/08: 48 (Bournemouth)
  • 06/07: 47 (Chesterfield)
  • 05/06: 50 (Hartlepool)
  • 04/05: 51 (Torquay Utd)
  • 03/04: 50 (Grimsby Tn)
  • 02/03: 48 (Cheltenham)
  • 01/02: 44 (Bournemouth)
  • 00/01: 51 (Bristol Rov)
  • 99/00: 44 (Cardiff City)
  • 98/99: 50 (York City)
  • 97/98: 50 (Brentford)

Average    48.1