Ciaron Brown on Oxford United hitting form ahead of Charlton

The U’s centre back has been key in a side that has won its last three games, with Brown getting on the scoresheet in their 3-1 win away at Preston North End last week.

Their most recent victory saw them beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 in an impressive home display.

“I think maybe the penny has dropped and some things are starting to click and got the ideas across that we need to do better performance-wise but also need to do better results-wise,” Brown said ahead of United’s next game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Ciaron Brown (left) celebrates his Oxford United goal against Preston North End with Will Lankshear (right) (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

“I think a lot of the season, we’ve probably been a bit too inconsistent where we haven’t put runs together, haven’t put back-to-back wins together which has ultimately put us in this position.

“Over the last month or few weeks, before we put this string of wins together, it did feel sometimes a bit unfortunate. It felt like we were just on that line of putting wins together.

“I think we’ve all come together and…it’s clicked.

Oxford United and Blackburn Rovers players pause for a minute’s applause for Amelia Aplin during the 15th minute at the Kassam Stadium (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

“A big part of last season was the defenders chipping in with goals and maybe we haven’t done that as much this year as we would’ve liked.

“But to get clean sheets and chip in with a few goals is always nice.”

Oxford are fighting for survival in their second season in the Championship after avoiding relegation in the previous campaign.

Oxford United’s Ciaron Brown meets the ball against Blackburn Rovers’ Taylor Gardner-Hickman (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin

A lot has changed since then, with Matt Bloomfield now in charge and plenty of new players arriving in OX4, eight in the January transfer window alone.

“I think a lot of people are going back to last year, but I do think our squad is massively different” admitted the 28-year-old.

READ MORE: Oxford United ‘can all see the prize’ ahead of Charlton

“Whether that’s some of the boys from previous years stepping up and helping [the new players] through that process.

“It’s a totally different season and there are different obstacles thrown at you, but I think maybe the experience of last year can hopefully play a part this year and have the same outcome.”

Jamie Donley is urged towards the Oxford United fans after his goal helped beat Blackburn Rovers (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

The Yellows face a Charlton side this weekend who have won two in a row, with a shock 1-0 win away at second-placed Middlesbrough last time out.

READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn

The Addicks looked as if they would be involved the relegation scrap but have now pulled away from the pack and look likely to survive.

“I think they’ve done really well this season, especially getting promoted last season and then first season in the Championship this year; I think they’ve done unbelievably.

“Whether they’re out of it or in it, who knows? But I think they’ve put themselves in a great place to stay up.”