Short hopes Rowett's arrival sparks revival

Oxford United caretaker manager Craig Short took charge for one game

Oxford caretaker manager Craig Short spoke to BBC Radio Oxford after their 4-0 defeat at Leeds.

"I was disappointed with the nature of the goals but there's a massive gulf in class in this league," he said.

"We are playing against some who have Premier League experience. We've realised that recently.

"We're in a mini-league now and in a relegation fight and I have made that clear in the dressing room. Yes that's a place lots of people thought we would be but it is now mentality and physicality as well as using their ability.

"I have worked with Gary [Rowett] and I think he will think 'yes half-time the boys have done well' but I think he will be very disappointed with the second half and the cheap nature of the goals we gave away.

Short said the U's needed to have a good Christmas period under the new boss.

"Confidence is a big thing and you can't order that on the phone," he added.

"If you lose confidence it is easy to lose and hard to find. It is up to the individual and senior players. But it is about fight and being hard to beat.

"We have to look at the mini league we are in at the bottom and have a good Christmas. Two home games and we have to produce a response.

"Gary understands there is a difference in class. But I told them before it was not just a chance to show the new manager your football ability but to prove how resilient you are. I thought that went missing in the last 20 minutes."