Saturday was make or break.

Had Oxford United not won against West Bromwich Albion, it felt like the season may as well have ended come the final whistle. But that was not the case and the U's live to fight another day, with survival all of a sudden not looking like a pipe dream.

Results prior to the Yellows game ended kindly, with defeats for Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, and Portsmouth leaving just the small task of winning in the way of halving the gap to safety.

Will Lankshear celebrates doubling Oxford United's lead against West Brom (Image: Oxford United)

That pressure, something that Oxford have failed to manage at other moments this season, felt like it may overwhelm the team before kick-off with the gravity of the West Brom clash already immense.

Under both Matt Bloomfield and Gary Rowett, United have consistently failed to show up in games that really mattered in that moment. Norwich City at home still rings fresh, whilst Charlton Athletic away before Christmas, which cost Rowett his job, also stands out.

Question marks, therefore, really stood out regarding the mentality of the players. The fact that they have been performing so well against the top teams, when there is little pressure, only highlights the change in fixtures that bear less weight.

But this 2-1 win over West Brom was different.

Aidomo Emakhu runs away with the ball for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

Yes, the Baggies are bad. Now winless in 11 Championship games and without an away win since October, there could not have been a more obvious time for a U's win, but, with essentially their season on the line, it still felt like a challenge.

Two first-half goals banished the goalless hoodoo at the Kassam and, despite Ollie Bostock getting one back for the visitors, the United players handled the pressure to see out a maiden home win for Bloomfield.

These players showed that maybe they do have the minerals it takes to stay in this league under a manager who is infectious when things are going well.

It feels like a turning point, and it has to be. Oxford have no choice.

READ MORE: Bloomfield says Oxford win over West Brom is big relief

Oxford United's Jamie Donley darts away from Josh Maja (Image: Oxford United)

With the kindest run of fixtures ahead amongst the relegation-battling clubs, there is no excuse now to not show the same resilience when the likes of Blackburn, Charlton, and Sheffield Wednesday come to town.

READ MORE: Oxford United claim massive victory over West Brom

Now Oxford must handle the pressure consistently.

Past form must be forgotten and there can be no looking at other results. If the U's can get the wins against those three teams just mentioned at the very least, they can have their fate in their own hands. Three points from safety is not a lot.

It is the hope that kills you, but this season is not dead.

© The Oxford Times