RUBEN Rodrigues is enjoying having wide players with pace to burn as options to pick out, as he continues to be Oxford United’s creator in chief.

The Portuguese playmaker has grabbed seven goals and three assists in Sky Bet League One this season, having primarily been United’s first choice in the No 10 role.

Rodrigues shared creative duties with Billy Bodin when the U’s played a 3-4-2-1 system under Liam Manning, and took up the position behind the striker when Manning opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Des Buckingham has settled on playing 4-2-3-1 now that he has most of his squad available following a raft of injuries, but with more emphasis on speed in the wide areas.

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Rodrigues said: “I have a similar role to be fair, because with Liam, we were playing mostly five at the back with the wing backs very high.

“I was still in that right attacking midfield pocket, and I think I’m still there with this manager.

“When I have the ball, I always have an option forward, and that gives me more options to play because when it was a wing back, they were on the same line.

“With the wingers, especially with Murph [Josh Murphy] and Owen [Dale], with the pace they have, it makes it easier. I can overhit my passes and they can still catch it. It hasn’t really changed the way I play.”

Rodrigues joined United in the summer, after helping Notts County win promotion from the Vanarama National League, and while he has rarely looked troubled by the technical side of the game, he required a little bit of time to get to speed physically.

He said: “Coming from the National League, two leagues below, you’re never sure if you’re going to play or not, because it’s a big step up.

“I think I struggled at the start, maybe fitness-wise. Maybe I underestimated it a bit, and I struggled at the start.

“When I got my fitness and my confidence, I think it’s gone well. I’ve played maybe 40 games, and it’s been very enjoyable. I just want to get more goals and assists, that’s the only thing I really want.”

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He added: “Cambridge was a tough game, and we lost. It was physical in the National League, but it was a big step.

“After the third game, Liam put me on the bench against Derby away, and then Barnsley away. When I came on, I think that’s when I started to feel a bit more confident and growing towards where I wanted to be.”

The U’s make the trip to fellow League One promotion hopefuls Bolton Wanderers tonight, with the fixture being televised live on Sky Sports.

Rodrigues said: “We like to play against the big teams on the big stages, so that’s good for us. If it’s on TV or not, I’m always trying to shine.”