LIAM Manning believes Oxford United’s opening day defeat has reinforced where he needs additions to his squad.

The U’s slipped to a 2-0 loss at Cambridge United on Saturday, and struggled to impose themselves in the final third against a well-organised side.

Reflecting on the game earlier this afternoon, Manning said he wants to see his team take more risks in attack.

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United’s head coach is also optimistic the club may be able to bring in a couple of signings ahead of the first home game of the season against Carlisle United on Saturday.

Manning said: “It highlighted what we need and reinforced that, not necessarily from the start but potentially changes as well.

“We didn’t take enough risks at the weekend. That was the one thing we spoke a lot about, around being braver to try and break their block down, whether that be taking people on, sliding things, getting shots off or getting crosses in.

“I want us to keep the ball and build but I want us to create chances.

“We were just a little bit too quick at the weekend to go back and sideways.

“Bringing in additional players that are able to give us different solutions to different challenges is something that I knew we needed and hasn’t changed off the back of the weekend.”

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He added: “Hopefully in the next couple of days, we’ll able to get one done, and possibly two.

“We’re moving down the road with a few of the outgoings as well, so hopefully in the next three or four days, we might have some more news.”

Discussing the weekend’s defeat, Manning said: “The lads came in a little flat on Monday morning, which isn’t always the worst thing.

“We had a meeting and looked at it, dissected it and had discussions around it.

“What helps is that it’s such an honest group of lads and they knew straight away themselves.

“They’re still learning as a team and it was the first competitive game they’d played in as a group, so that takes time to learn and if you want to be successful, you have to suck up some difficult experiences along the way.

“We had a frustrating, difficult one on Saturday but it was the first game and there’s a lot of football still to play.

“It’s now about learning from it and making sure we bounce back, and respond in the right way.”

The 37-year-old added: “It’s hard to say it was exactly one thing. The big thing we went on was around the behaviour element.

“I think the attitude was good and the honesty was good, it wasn’t a case of that.

“It was almost becoming too anxious and wanting to do too well, and I think there were elements of that.

“After the pre-season we’ve had, and the performances against Swansea and QPR, the expectation on people changes completely.

“I think for everybody, it’s not a bad thing to stay grounded and stay focused, and take it game by game.”

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