'If we look after ourselves we'll be fine' - Rowett
Oxford United will face three of the current top four at home in their remaining eight Championship games
- Published
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett said that his team will not be distracted by the sides around them during the final stages of the Championship season.
The U's picked up a crucial three points on Saturday with a 1-0 home win over Watford to leave them 18th in the table and four points above the bottom three.
The league's relegation battle is shaping up to be a tight one, and Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford: "I've said since I got here that you can't look around you.
"We have to concentrate on our own game and what we do. If we look after our own house then we will be fine, it's as simple as that."
He added: "You have to expect teams to put in performances and get results because we're coming down to the business end of the season."
In particular, Derby County, who sit 22nd, look to be finding form at a crucial time in the campaign having won their last three matches.
Rowett replaced former boss Des Buckingham in December, in the club's first season in the second tier for 25 years.
His arrival triggered an initial encouraging unbeaten run but then the U's endured a winless streak of nine league games, which came to an end at the Kassam Stadium at the weekend.
The U's were away for six of those games, including visits to promotion-hopefuls Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.
"It's been a tough period with a lot of away games," Rowett said.
"Before Saturday's game we had six away and three home in a period of nine matches, which is quite unusual.
"The break gives us a chance to breathe again, assess, and make sure that we make really good decisions when we come back and be as organised as we can be."
The U's have eight matches of the season remaining and will return after the international break with a game at play-off chasing Middlesbrough.
Their run-in includes home games against Sheffield United, Leeds United and Sunderland - three of the league's current top four.