DETERIORATING pitches hold no fear for Michael Collins, who is enjoying scrapping in testing circumstances.

The Kassam Stadium is not the only playing surface showing signs of wear and tear at this stage of the season.

Tomorrow’s pitch at Bury is likely to pose similar problems, but Collins has no issues with getting stuck in.

He said: “I’ve actually quite enjoyed the battles that have happened in recent games.

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“The pitches aren’t really conducive to playing football at the moment, even though we do our best to try and do it still.

“As a midfielder I think you’ve got to adapt your game.

“When it’s on to play, do so, and when it’s not you have to dig in and battle.”

In response to the changing environment, United have altered their approach in recent weeks.

It has seen them play it out from the back far less often, with the emphasis on getting the ball forward, where the side then look to play.

Collins felt the side had been caught out a few times before the change, but does not think it makes them a direct side.

He said: “Maybe we were still trying to do it on pitches and in games that probably didn’t lend themselves to us doing it and it caused its own troubles.

“People might say we’ve been a bit more direct, but I’d disagree with that because I think there’s been a controlled element to it.

“There’s a way of doing it, instead of smashing aimless balls down the pitch.”