MARK Harris has heaped praise on Oxford United boss Des Buckingham for helping him get back among the goals following a dry spell earlier in the season.

The Welsh striker scored six goals in all competitions, with just three in Sky Bet League One, prior to Buckingham’s appointment as United head coach on November 16.

Harris netted his first goal under Buckingham in the New Year’s Day win at Charlton Athletic, kickstarting a run of seven goals in nine matches.

The 25-year-old has scored five goals in his last four games, as he closes to within two of his 20-goal target for the season.

Harris credited Buckingham for spending time with him in order to boost his goal return this campaign.

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“He sat down with me and we’ve gone through things. We’ve had chats and I knew my goal return wasn’t as good as it should be in the first half of the season, but I felt I was still chipping in the games, and affecting it,” said Harris.

“It was all about being in the right place at the right time, and timing, and getting a good connection on the ball to slot it away.

“He’s been brilliant since he got in to be fair to him, and I can’t thank him enough.”

Harris has been helped in recent weeks by a change in style, as Buckingham lines the team up in a 4-3-3 formation, which sees wingers Owen Dale and Josh Murphy play high and wide, while two midfielders push into advanced areas.

“It’s fun to play with two players like that [Dale and Murphy], and the two 10s have got closer to me,” said Harris.

“I can bring others into play, and I feel like that’s part of my game as well, and not just running in behind and pressing.”

Witney Gazette:

Looking ahead to the final two games of the season, beginning tonight at home to Stevenage, Harris said: “We’ve got two games left, and we’re in a good position. It was a disappointing result on Tuesday, but the games before that, I thought we played some good stuff and scored a lot of goals.

“It’s just about getting back to that now. It’s the business end and we’re all looking forward to it.

“If we take care of our business, then we’ll be where we want to be. We’re confident and looking forward to the game.

“I didn’t play in the away fixture at the other end of the season, so I haven’t played them, but we know what they’re about, and we know what their strengths are, and their weaknesses that we can try and exploit.

“We’re expecting a tough game, a physical game, and hopefully we can play our own game, and the performance can take care of itself.

“We’re not looking at other teams too much. It’s about taking care of our job. Hopefully if we get the result, and if other results go our way on Saturday, then happy days.”