FIN Stevens reckons Oxford United’s formation tweak in recent games is getting the best out of him as a player.
The U’s have moved to a 3-4-2-1 formation for the last six matches, with Brentford loanee Stevens vying with Stan Mills for the right wing back berth.
Stevens has started four of the last six games, while Everton loanee Mills was picked for the other two.
READ ALSO: Liam Manning discusses the red card shown to him at the weekend
“I’m probably a bit in between a right back and a right winger. I can do both, but when I can do both in a game, it suits me well in getting forward and defending,” said Stevens.
“It depends on the team we’re playing against and what they’re going to come with, and then it’s down to the gaffer and what he thinks will work best.
“You’ve just got to do what you can every week in training, and try and get yourself in the team, and if not, just be ready for the next opportunity.”
With the current formation, United’s shape changes when in and out of possession.
When the U’s don’t have the ball, Greg Leigh drops into left back, while on the other side, the right wing back sits in front of Sam Long.
It means during a turnover in play, United’s players must act quickly to get into position, however Stevens said regular work in training makes the transition run smoothly.
He said: “Because we work on it so much and do a lot of things in training around that, all the boys are really clear with what to do, so they know exactly when to move in and move out, go high or go low.
“When you do it week in and week out, you just know what to do.”
Discussing the season so far, Stevens said: “We’re just taking it game by game and doing what we can, and preparing as best we can for each game.
“We had a really good pre-season and did loads of work out on the pitch with the gaffer and all the staff.
“From the beginning, we were working on a lot of things which we implemented into games in pre-season and then brought it into the season.”
The U’s drew 2-2 at home to Wycombe Wanderers last time out, with Stevens expressing frustration that the game wasn’t won by half-time.
He said: “It was a tough one for us. A few of the boys said after that game that we should’ve killed it off in in the first half.
“The penalty decisions didn’t help us out even though we came back and made it a draw.
“We had a few chances and one where we were clear cut through, and the ref pulled it back, which was a bit of a shame.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here