Buckingham 'paid the price' for U's poor form - Moore

Oxford United captain Elliott Moore said former head coach Des Buckingham "paid the price" for some recent poor form by the U's players.

Buckingham was relieved of his duties on Sunday, as the club thanked him for his contribution at the Kassam Stadium but said that they had decided to move on.

Oxford are one point and two places above the relegation zone in the Championship table, winless in their last five games.

"The players are the ones that go out on the pitch and the coach pays the price," said Moore, ahead of Saturday's game against Leeds United.

"Ultimately it comes down to us to put in a performance and from inside the camp we know that our levels as a team and individuals have dropped off in the last month.

"We started the season well and it might have heightened expectation from us as well as the outside.

"It's up to us now to just get our heads down and work, we need to start picking up some points."

BBC Radio Oxford understands former Millwall and Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett is close to joining the club to replace Buckingham.

Craig Short has been in caretaker charge this week - supported by fellow first team coaches Chris Hackett and Lewis Price and as it stands that will be the case at Elland Road at the weekend.