Rowett delighted by Oxford's 'tough edge'
- Published
Oxford United manager Gary Rowett says there is an "overall raised quality" in his side after they picked up their second away victory of the season.
The U's spoiled Sheffield Wednesday's day on Saturday, winning 2-1 as Owls fans ended their boycott of Hillsborough due to administration and the effective end of Dejphon Chansiri's reign.
The result saw Oxford rise to 19th in the Championship.
"The second half was certainly a tough watch from the sideline because we couldn't seem to get out and play with any sort of composure," Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford.
"I was really pleased with the first half, it's never easy these games with a full house, it could've been a very difficult half.
"I was really pleased to make those moments but disappointingly not take them.
"The main positive to come from the second half is when you see the back three, the likes of Longy [Jack Long] and Jack Currie clearing balls out the box and defending the box like their lives depended on it.
"We've played well in games and lost where we've had a soft edge to us. We didn't play well second half but had a tough edge to us. We just had to find a way to win."
Oxford next host third-placed Millwall on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with Rowett having spent four years in charge of the Lions from 2019-2023.
