OXFORD United must look to secure their Sky Bet League One status by the end of a pivotal week at home, according to Rob Dickie.

Defeat at Shrewsbury Town on Monday left Karl Robinson’s side just four points above the relegation zone with seven games remaining.

While the safety mark is close – and would be virtually guaranteed with two more wins – the concern is a run of form which has seen the side taste victory just twice in the last dozen league outings.

But they have an opportunity to pull clear during a run of three successive home games in the space of eight days.

It begins on Saturday against Oldham Athletic, one of the sides United need to keep below them between now and May 5.

With Fleetwood Town and Southend United to follow, Dickie believes it offers a chance to get clear which the U’s must grasp.

He said: “Yeah, 100 per cent – these are the three games we’ve really targeted to pick our points up from.

“We’re playing against teams that are around us now.

“I really feel we can pick up maximum points to get ourselves safe.”

He added: “There’s no lack of effort, commitment or desire at all.

“Everyone in there is in it together, there’s no-one sacking it off or anything.

“We’re all committed to get the job done as early as possible.”

United’s urgency is partly driven by the fact they still have to visit Wigan Athletic this month, before wrapping up the campaign at another promotion favourite, Blackburn Rovers.

Robinson is keeping cool, pointing to his experience last season as an example of what can happen.

Charlton Athletic held the same four-point advantage over the relegation zone 12 months ago, before collecting 13 points from the final five games.

The head coach said: “I know what it’s like to be in this position and you’ve got to stay calm and positive with the players.

“That’s my job. There’s still a long way to go, but we can’t relax on our laurels and think results are just going to come on to your lap.

“I’ve said to the players ‘you’re in a dogfight’, but it is what it is.

“The performances are certainly getting there – they’re not of a team that is in that position.

“I’m not worrying, I’ve got faith in this team and this football club as well.”