Ramon Diaz has been named as the fourth division Manager of the Month for January, following United’s unbeaten run in 2005. The run started with the 2-1 win over Wycombe on New Year’s Day, and included four wins and two draws.

Oxford are now 13th in the table, just three points off the play-off places, and Diaz and his entourage have turned the club around. When he took over, United were fifth from bottom and in danger of being dragged into the relegation scrap, having just lost at home to Swansea.

Of course, Diaz is Oxford’s manager in name only. The person in charge of team selection and tactics is Horacio Rodrigues, and Diaz suitably claimed that the award was for the whole backroom staff and all the players, who have done so well over the last four weeks. The big test now is to carry on the unbeaten run through February, starting at Lincoln this weekend.