'Rowett has done exactly what he was hired to do'

Some Oxford fans may privately be annoyed that I've even been asked to write this about the Championship relegation battle (there's no mention of Preston or QPR who have only a point or two more than United), but you would struggle to find one who would admit it.

The U's success - and staying up would be a big achievement - has been built on taking nothing for granted. It was key when they picked up valuable wins in the early weeks of the season and remains true at the end.

As they check the league table to gauge what is required, it is only recently that supporters' muscle memory has stopped them having to type in "League One".

One win should do it, a point or two might. They might not need any more than the 48 points they have already accrued, but this club started the season as relegation favourites.

Their remaining home matches are against promotion hopefuls Leeds and Sunderland. The game at Cardiff on Easter Monday looks the most significant. If it goes to the wire at Swansea, it has gone wrong.

Gary Rowett has done exactly what he was recruited to do.

It may come as a surprise to many because Oxford have made hard work of it at times, but the form since he arrived at Christmas would get you a top 10 finish if played out over the season.

Recent wins over Watford, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United have his side on the brink of confirming survival and even allowing themselves a moment of satisfaction before the inevitable "second-season" syndrome worries kick in.

It would be a nice problem to have.