Oxford trying to be more creative in attack - Rowett

Oxford United boss Gary Rowett says his side are "working hard" to try and be more creative in attack ahead of the trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Results vastly improved after Rowett took charge in late December, the U's going on a nine-game unbeaten run (W5 D4) to move away from the bottom three.

They suffered their first defeat under Rowett at Burnley on 4 February and also lost 2-0 at home to Portsmouth last time out.

Oxford are now without a win in their past five Championship games (D3 L2) and have scored just one goal in that time, drawing a blank in three consecutive matches.

But Rowett says he's "seen a good reaction" from his players and that games are always going to be determined by fine margins.

"When you go a goal ahead in this division it makes a huge difference to the outcome of the game," he told BBC Radio Oxford.

"Disappointed as we were, the players have been back on it this week. They've worked really hard to try and improve on one or two areas.

"Of course, we're trying to be a little bit more creative in some of those final third positions and help the attackers build that confidence back up."

Rowett added: "The team has to chip in, set-pieces, other ways of scoring, the team have to support the forwards and create opportunities for them.

"But ultimately if you're a forward player, you need to step up and come up with some of those moments.

"There is no easy solution. It's a tough league and what we've got to do is work really, really hard to make those things go our way."