Mark Harris Backs Oxford United Push for League One Rise

Oxford United forward Mark Harris said the club is carrying momentum into a key run of home matches after a strong League One start, with the team sitting eighth after eight games following relegation from the Championship.

According to BBC Sport, Oxford have won four matches, drawn three and lost once. The club has played only eight league games, fewer than the rest of the division, where most teams have completed nine or 10.

The latest setback to points came in a draw away at Mansfield on Thursday, when Oxford finished with nine men. As reported by BBC Sport, Harris said the performance still reinforced his belief that the side is well placed for a climb toward the play-off places.

"We've had just one loss all season and in the game on Thursday if we got the penalty that we should have got and kept all of our players on the pitch, then I think we win that game. We have momentum with us and with three home games now coming up it's just about keeping that going," said Mark Harris, Oxford United striker.

Oxford returned to the third tier this season after dropping out of the Championship. Harris made 37 appearances and scored three times in that campaign, according to BBC Sport.

This season, he has scored four goals in eight appearances and has started every League One match for Oxford. BBC Sport reported that his form has also earned him recalls to the Wales national team.

"It's maybe not as intense [in League One compared to the Championship] but only slightly," said Mark Harris, Oxford United striker.

Harris said the shift in division has not reduced the demands of matches. He described League One as a competition that still requires teams to compete for every ball.

"Different games bring different needs but it's still an intense league and you have to fight for and win every ball. It's no walk in the park compared to the Championship, my scoring record's been OK so far, I'll take my current scoring rate of one every other game across the season. We're all in this together, the players and staff and we all have one aim [promotion] so hopefully we can do that," said Mark Harris, Oxford United striker.

Before the Mansfield game, outside preview coverage had highlighted Oxford's solid opening stretch after relegation, including four wins from seven league matches and a notable 4-0 victory over Leicester City. Mansfield, meanwhile, entered that fixture unbeaten at home in the league, according to preview reports.