CAMERON Brannagan heaped praised on Oxford United’s backroom staff after work on the training ground paid off against Norwich City.

The U’s won 2-0 in their Sky Bet Championship opener, with Brannagan doubling the lead provided by Mark Harris in the first half.

Brannagan struck first-time from just inside the penalty area, after Sam Long expertly picked him out with a driven cross from the right-hand side.

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Brannagan said: “I can’t credit enough Hacks [Chris Hackett, assistant coach] and Isaac [Alder, analyst].

“We sat down and looked at clips, and how I can get in them areas, and how we can improve, and get them goals.

“There were a few times in the first half when I did arrive in there, and I just didn’t quite get there.

“It was a fantastic ball from Longy and all I had to do was guide it. I just want to help the team as much as possible, and win as many games.”

He added: “We spoke about it at half-time, about me arriving in there, and if I’m not there, then tell me.

“There were a couple of times when I was getting in there and thinking about a cutback, but it just didn’t come.

“Longy listened at half-time, and that pass was fantastic to be honest, a real top-quality pass.

“I didn’t really have to do anything apart from guide it. The pace was there, it was perfect.”

On the performance as a whole against the Canaries, Brannagan said: “From front to back, everyone was fantastic. Jamie [Cumming] in goal was fantastic, and every single one of us was fantastic.

“We worked hard for that result. Norwich are a very good side with a lot of good players, and you have to respect that, but you’ve got to have that self-belief to go and do the right things. It’s a fantastic start, but there are 45 more to go.

“It was a special one, but it’s only one game. I’m a winner and I want to win, and be successful.

“We can sit and celebrate this occasion, but it’s one game and we’ve got 45 more.

“Internally, we know what we’ve got to do. We work hard every single day in training, and we’ve got to push to be the best.

“We’ve got a fantastic squad, and everybody is fighting for position.”