Analysis: Jerome Sale previews Oxford United's crucial final games of the League One season

Des Buckingham's team take up the final play-off spot in the League One table with four games remaining

Of course, it only feels like the three games in six days are season defining, EFL campaigns are 46 games long - the three home games coming up equate to 6.5% of the total.

The table doesn't lie, but it also doesn't tell you the backstory. The ups and downs, departures and arrivals.

The club and the team Oxford United are now is very different to six months ago.

It is still Oxford United, but then Trigger's broom was the same broom, right?

The U's have found some form under Des Buckingham who has quietly changed the set-up of the team to suit his own style.

Now they must continue to get results in back-to-back home games against other top 10 teams.

The four wins in their last six games have been handsome, but against relegation-threatened sides.

The one defeat in that time was the 5-0 horror show at Bolton Wanderers, a result which though a month ago, continues to keep Oxford fans grounded.

It is the final fortnight of the season, there IS a half-decent chance of making the play-offs and if you get there you're in with a shout.

Oxford's supporter base is making all the right noises, but if I am honest if feels still like a reflex response, If Oxford are still in it in a week's time then it will be more heartfelt.

Before the hammering at Bolton, it was Peterborough United - another with a shout of being in the top two - who'd given Oxford their toughest examination this season.

Darren Ferguson's Posh, if they were to win at the Kassam on Saturday, would become the one and only team to do the double over the U's.

Tuesday's clash with Lincoln City looks to be THE match.

Lincoln and Oxford have been swapping possession of the final play-off place in recent weeks.

Tuesday's game won't decide who is sat in the chair when the music stops on April 27th, but it will dictate who is better placed to claim it.

A draw will probably be fine for whoever holds sixth place after this weekend (Lincoln, who are two points behind Oxford, host Wigan Athletic and have a better goal difference than United).

Stevenage are the third opponent to arrive in OX4 in the space of six days.

It is almost impossible to foresee how significant that game on Friday will be without knowing the outcome of the two matches previously.

The match being selected for TV coverage has not done Oxford any favours.

The re-arranged Lincoln fixture would surely not have been put in on the 16th if it was known that the following Saturday's would be brought forward, United will just have to deal with it.

Buckingham's assertion that all members of his squad will have a part to play will surely be put to the test. Squeaky bum time will mean creaky legs time.

This time last year it was a relegation fight. This is better.