U’s ‘not an easy team to beat’ – Rodrigues

Oxford United have proven that they are “not an easy side to beat” after the first eight games of the Championship season, according to forward Ruben Rodrigues.

The U’s are still unbeaten at home this season, drawing once and winning on three occasions at the Kassam Stadium.

On Tuesday, they picked up their first away point of the season as they drew 2-2 with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

“I think overall, we are doing very well this season,” Rodrigues, 28, told BBC Radio Oxford.

“We’ve been very solid and have shown that we’re not an easy team to beat, especially at home. We’re delighted with how we’re playing.

“We have a lot of depth in the side, everyone that has been coming on has been doing well across the pitch.”

The U’s are currently 12th in the table with 11 points, with 12 goals, and Rodrigues, who joined from Notts County in the summer of 2023, has been a key part of their attack already this season with a goal and two assists in seven league starts.

Only four teams have scored more in the league than Des Buckingham’s side this season and Rodrigues said his team have carried on doing what they did last term when they won promotion from League One.

“We know how the manager wants to play,” he added.

“Since last year we’ve shown it works and this season it’s working as well, so we keep believing and playing this way.”

The U’s are next in action on Saturday lunchtime when they visit fellow League One promoted side Portsmouth.

It will be the first time that the U’s will face former player Josh Murphy after his summer move to Fratton Park.