The U’s travel to Pride Park having managed a clean sheet in a goalless draw in the East Midlands last season and winning there the season before in League One thanks to a Mark Harris brace.

Harris bagged a goal in the Yellows’ most recent game, coming off the bench to score a stoppage-time second goal in a 2-0 win over Watford.

“I have scored a couple of goals there so, hopefully, we can carry that on,” the Wales international said.

“But the most important thing is the team and the three points and, you know, business end of the season.”

Oxford United players urge goal scorer Mark Harris towards the crowd (Image: Jason Dawson)

Some of Oxford’s rivals have been picking up good results elsewhere, Portsmouth in particular surprising the Championship by beating two promotion-chasing sides in Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town of late.

“Only we can control how many points we finish on and no one else is going to help us,” Harris continued.

“Obviously…I’m not going to lie and say we’re not looking at other results.

Mark Harris fires Oxford United to a 2-0 win over Watford (Image: Oxford United)

“There’s four games left of the season and you want to see what’s going on around you. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to make sure we’re putting in the performance to get as many points for Oxford.”

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“We’ve probably been written off quite a lot this season. I think at one point there was a lot of: ‘They’re gone, they’re dead and buried’. But you know, mentality, determination in this group, you can see the run we’ve put together now.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position. But that only matters if you take care of the last four games.”

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield (Image: Jason Dawson)

When asked whether he was cheering Ipswich on in their defeat to Pompey on Tuesday night, Harris replied with a smirk: “Maybe once or twice.”

The Welsh centre forward has played in some big games lately. Not only has he been a consistent addition of the bench in the U’s crucial run-in so far, he also played in a huge World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia & Herzegovina last month.

“Experience is a big thing when you’re playing big games. You get used to it.

“You get your routine leading up to the game. And once you cross that white line, it’s just all about you, the teammates, and getting those points that you need. That’s it.”

The U’s travel to Pride Park on Saturday to take on Derby who are trying to force their way into the Championship play-off spots with just four games to go.

Oxford are fighting relegation and are two points from safety, behind 21st-placed West Brom who have this week been accused of breaching EFL profit and sustainability rules.

A points deduction for the Baggies would massively aid the Yellows in their efforts to stay in the second tier.

“It’s not in my control,” reasoned Bloomfield when asked about the ramifications of a potential deduction on United.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield punches the air (Image: Jason Dawson)

“It’s for other people to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. We need to put points on the board and that’s the only thing I’m focussing on.”

Oxford face the Rams tomorrow lunchtime in one of three Championship early kick-offs.

Whilst the U’s are again in the midst of a relegation battle this campaign, John Eustace’s men are pushing for a top-six finish after also surviving in the league last season.

“[They are a] very good team,” Bloomfield considered.

Oxford United celebrate Mark Harris’ goal against Watford (Image: Jason Dawson)

“I think John’s done a great job. [They were in] a similar position to us now, this time last year, and stayed up.

“He did a great job to keep them in the league. They’ve gone and recruited over the last summer some real Championship know-how and experience. They’ve got Championship know-how throughout their team.

“They’ve had a very, very good season to kick on from where they were this time last year and knocking on the door for the play-offs. So, we know we’re in for a very tough test tomorrow afternoon.

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Derby County’s Carlton Morris celebrates scoring against Southampton (Image: Peter Tarry/PA Wire)

“There are so many teams with so much to play for with four games left. Derby still believe they can get in the play-offs.

“They know how big the game is for them. We know how big the game is for us. There’s lots riding on it for both teams.

“We’re trying to win games and if you can’t win, then don’t get beat.

“The old football mantra, we want to put points on the board, we need to put points on the board and we’re doing that in the best possible way we can.

“There was a lot of talk when I came in the building about a lack of consistency. We couldn’t put two performances together as a team over the course of the season up until January and we’ve been consistently putting building blocks in place and we feel like we can keep building on that.”