Oxford United boss Liam Manning has spoken previously this season about ensuring his players don’t “get too high or too low” following results.
Oxford United boss Liam Manning says his in-form squad are not “taking anything for granted” in what he describes as a “difficult” League One.
The U’s are second in the division, with eight wins and just two losses so far this season.
They have defeated their past four opponents – including strong Stevenage and Exeter City sides – scoring 12 goals and only conceding one.
“We know we have started well,” Manning told BBC Radio Oxford.
“We want to continue that, we don’t want to take anything for granted, we don’t want to get complacent and we don’t want to get carried away thinking we have cracked it.
“This is such a difficult division with so many difficult opponents. It is relentless.
“We understand it is a marathon and not a sprint so we have to make sure we focus and be prepared.”
Oxford’s season got off to a shaky start when they lost 2-0 to Cambridge.
But Manning was able to quickly get his side back on track in his first full season as their head coach and they have lost only one league game since.
The 38-year-old ex-MK Dons boss is clear on what he wants from his players.
“I want emotion but I want it to be controlled and that is the big difference,” he added.
“I want players that are emotional and have heart in their performance, but I want them to control it and not the other way around.
“When you play off emotion it can potentially become quite dangerous, you lose discipline, focus, and sometimes lack bravery.”
‘Chasing perfection’
Oxford host Bristol Rovers at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday in League One’s early kick-off (12:30 BST).
Their opponents, who are currently 11th in the division, are on their own impressive run, with three wins, a draw and just one loss from their past five matches.
Manning believes the mindset of his players is a gamechanger.
He said: “After the game the other night [against Shrewsbury] the most refreshing thing for me was in the changing rooms when some of the players were saying they felt they could’ve been even better. It shows me where we are at culturally.
“Even if we perform well and get the result we are still not content.
“I think that mindset of chasing perfection, knowing that we are never going to achieve it or get there, is refreshing.
“But we know Saturday will be extremely difficult and a tough game.
“We just need to take what we have learned already and put it into action against Bristol Rovers.”
