OXFORD United’s knack of signing coveted players is down to philosophy rather than finances, according to head coach Michael Appleton.

A host of Football League clubs, including several above Sky Bet League Two, were chasing John Campbell.

It was a similar situation last week with Patrick Hoban and Chey Dunkley.

All three ended up snubbing other offers to sign up with the U’s, who have been in the lower reaches of the fourth tier all season.

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Coincidence? Not according to Appleton, but the U’s boss believes the key to all three deals was selling them the idea of what could be achieved on the pitch, rather than tempting them with substantial contracts.

“It’s easy for me to say it’s not about offering more money, but we have a budget we stick to,” Appleton said.

“We’re competitive, but we’re not going to go crazy.

“We’ve actually lost out on players because we’re not prepared to pay what some people have asked.

“Each club has a philosophy and a culture and a way they do things.

“I just like looking people in the whites of their eyes and telling them what we’re trying to do.

“ It gives me an indication of whether I think they want to play for us.

“That’s important, I’ve mentioned the hunger because now it’s about signing players who want to play for Oxford United.

“That’s a big thing for us because if they do they’ll have a hunger and a belief that if they put the shirt on there’s no half measures and they’re desperate to do well.

“I try to get that message across when I meet them.

“John was one of them, as was Chey and Pat.

“It was a case of saying this is how I want to play, this is how I work, do you want to be a part of it?”

It was a trait which shone through clearly from Campbell.

Appleton first became aware of the Geordie when the striker was part of Manchester City’s youth system.

It meant his name rang a bell when his goals for Jarrow Roofing this season began attracting attention.

And the United head coach’s mind was largely made up when he was invited to play for United in a trial game at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month.

Appleton said: “I was three or four minutes late for the game and the first thing I saw was him giving one of our players the biggest rollocking ever.

“I mentioned it to Mickey (Lewis, assistant head coach) and he turned round and said ‘he drove down with those two’. I quite liked that.

“He was very passionate and aggressive in the right way on the day.”

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