New chief Ian Atkins modestly played down the impact he had made after a new-look Oxford United chalked up their biggest win of the season at The Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

The team appeared totally transformed from that under Mark Wright at Leyton Orient four days earlier, as they crushed Cheltenham 3-0 in the first Cotswold Derby.

Atkins's decision to switch to 4-4-2, which the fans had been crying out for, was a masterstroke. But he also managed to get many of the players back to enjoying their football again.

"Tactics play a big part, but it's the players who make things happen," said 44-year-old Atkins, who was only installed as United's new director of football on Friday, following the club's decision to suspend boss Wright.

"Managers are in the spotlight, but it's players who win games," he added.

"It was obviously a new situation for them, but their attitude was excellent. We defended very well, though we had half an hour where you could see the lads are used to playing with three centre halves.

"The two wide men, Sam Stockley and Paul Powell, were absolutely magnificent. They allowed David Savage to get forward and Dean Whitehead to have more of a sitting role. It worked out well."

Atkins continued: "This was one for the supporters. They were due a win over the last few months.

"It was a difficult game for Cheltenham because of our situation with someone new coming in, but I've also seen that situation backfire where you get stuffed as well. So, all in all, it was a terrific performance.

"We've ended up playing two centre halves as full backs but they used the ball well when they could.

"The two wide men have got terrific pace and worked extremely hard and they got the ball to David Savage, who I know all about - he's a terrific player breaking forward. I also know a lot about Paul Moody.

"It was a terrific start and you're not going to get that every week, plus we had the breaks today. Cheltenham didn't have the run of the ball in the first 25 minutes and the ball fell kindly for us.

"It was a new system for the lads. We only had 20 minutes on it on Friday and they were playing against a strong and powerful team.

Wright's No 2, Ted McMinn, has continued to act as an assistant, though it was reserve team coach Mike Ford who took the players' warm-up on the pitch before kick-off.

Atkins admitted: "There was an input from everybody. It was a late decision and my decision to put Stockley where I did, so I take a bit of credit for that one.

"I've no idea what happens after this," said Atkins, who has a contract until the end of the season.

"I've just been told to come in and lift spirits and do what I can to help things."