OXFORD City general manager Justin Merritt admitted it was difficult to recognise the side which have looked so irresistible in some of their recent performances following the 4-1 drubbing by Solihull Moors on Saturday, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

City’s best results have been won playing attacking passing football, but against a clinical and well-drilled Solihull side they seemed unable to resist the temptation to adopt a more direct, long-ball approach.

And Merritt was disappointed with the performance.

“It simply wasn’t good enough,” he said.

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“We didn’t do the basics right today and that comes from workrate, getting yourself into the game and making good decisions.

“Our weaknesses were exploited.”

The visitors were themselves physical and direct, but Merritt says that it’s up to his players to deal with those tactics.

He added: “We knew that was what they were going to do.

“We knew that before the start and we talked about it, but we just didn’t do it on the pitch.

“We have to find ways of getting ourselves into the game when teams play direct and strong, and I felt we resorted to a similar style ourselves.

“But they’re obviously geared up for that and are better at it, so part of our development is to compose ourselves against sides like that.”

City will bid to get back to winning ways when they make the long trek across country to face Lowestoft Town next Saturday, seeking their sixth away league win.

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