Oxford United defender Rob Dickie is delighted to have secured his first clean sheet since joining from Reading in January, halting a winless run of three matches.

Dickie played the first half of the season at Lincoln City in League Two, but signed a deal with Oxford after his loan was ended early by his parent club. Since his arrival manager Pep Clotet has been sacked, but caretaker manager Derek Fazackerley has kept faith with the 21-year old. That faith was repaid as the U's ground out a 0-0 draw at Northampton Town.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Dickie said: “I definitely feel more comfortable with each game. Because it’s a new back four I think we’re all gelling together better now with each game. We’ve definitely got a clean sheet to build on. I’m confident in my own ability, but to get a clean sheet on the road like that is a boost.”

Dickie is part of a new-look defence at the Kassam Stadium,  Todd Kane and Ashley Smith-Brown both signed on loan in January, meaning John Mousinho is the only survivor of the embarrassing 7-0 home defeat by Wigan just before Christmas.

Oxford are now six points clear of the bottom four but face a blank weekend as their clash at Fleetwood has already fallen to the weather. Next up are another relegation-threatened side in AFC Wimbledon, but captain Mousinho is confident that the young defender is only going to get better as he amasses more first team outings.

"I thought Rob dominated his aerial battles, positionally I thought he was brilliant and you could see as he grew into the game he got a lot more confident on the ball. That’s important for us with the way we want to play. I think he’s improved in every game he’s played."

The Verdict

Rob Dickie has all the attributes to become a fine defender and Oxford did extremely well to grab him from under Lincoln's noses in January. The U's have enough to pull themselves sway from the bottom four and that revival will be built on a strong defence. Expect to hear more of this young player over the coming seasons.

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