CHRIS Wilder has called on his players to relish the expectation of playing at the Kassam Stadium as Oxford United look to finally crack their home form.

The next few days offer an ideal chance for improvement, as they entertain Morecambe this afternoon ahead of Newport County's visit on Tuesday.

United, who top Sky Bet League Two despite winning just twice in eight home games, are not alone in struggling on their own turf this season.

Incredibly, only half of the teams in the division have collected more points in front of their own fans than they have on the road.

But the U’s have the most extreme contrast, with only nine of their 29 points from games at the Kassam.

Wilder knows the record will feature heavily in Morecambe boss Jim Bentley’s team talk, but says his players have what it takes to step up and break the poor run.

“The players have to embrace the pressure of playing at home, use it to their advantage and take responsibility,” the United manager said.

“Nothing else changes, it’s just the players’ mentality when we play at home.

“We can easily crack it if we get over a couple of obstacles that are in the way at the moment.”

He added: “Knowing the mentality of Morecambe’s manager they will be talking about our home form and about turning the crowd.

“With the results we’ve had at home, people will be trying to use them against us.

“It’s important we stay strong and raise our standards.”

While some of their rivals in the leading pack have been busy in the loan market, United have stuck to their approach of using young players already at the club, even in the face of an injury pile-up this week.

Wilder believes that makes it even more crucial everyone involved with United plays a role.

And while acknowledging he needed to get selection and tactics spot on, the United boss stressed the home fans should not underestimate their potential to help.

He said: “We’re not a chequebook club. We’re not getting players in left, right and centre.

“Everybody has seen what’s happening and the way the club operates. We’re doing more than fine.

“It is important if everybody wants the same thing as me and the players, that we do what we can, whether it’s me, the players or the supporters.

“The players want to win just as much at home as they do away.

“Hopefully people can realise that, respect that and give the players the backing they’re after and give them the confidence to get through this little period we’re having at home.”