IT may be too early to identify key periods in Oxford United’s season, but the last few weeks have certainly been vitally important.

Three defeats in a row saw the U’s slip down the Sky Bet League One table and put the brakes on what had been a decent start under new boss Pep Clotet.

But, importantly, the panic button was not pushed at the Kassam Stadium and instead the message was ‘keep calm and carry on’.

The emphatic victory at high-flying Peterborough United a fortnight ago stopped the losing run and was followed by a convincing win over AFC Wimbledon.

In both games, the U's attacking options were on show for all to see, with seven goals scored and only one conceded.

But for Clotet it was all about staying positive in what could have become a difficult period.

“It didn’t require much from my side, because the squad is really mature and focused,” said the U’s boss.

“Everyone understood that we showed better performances than the results we had, but we still managed to overcome it.

“I think that will give us a lot of strength in the future.

“That is why this team, in a way, now has the ability to never be affected by a bad result and that can make a difference in the end.”

Clotet added: “It will always be in the back of our mind from a positive side.

“We know that if we do have a couple of bad results, we can overcome it against any opposition.

“We did it at Peterborough and at home to Wimbledon, so I think that will always give a boost to everyone.

“But for me the important thing is we keep playing the football that encourages the players and allows the fans to see they are giving everything.”

Clotet is fully aware his side are far from the finished article and expects many more highs and lows in a tough league.

In the space of a fortnight, United climbed from within three points of the relegation zone to one win away from fourth place.

The U’s boss is ready to experience more ups and downs, but asks for one thing from his side – improvement.

He said: “I think the team from the beginning of the season has been on an upward trend when it comes to performances.

“But at the same time it is still early, so it is difficult to say we have stabilised everything.

“You can get really, really low and you can get on a high after two wins, but I always try to keep a balanced approach.

“I believe the players understand that way of thinking.”