RYAN Taylor says the move to playing in a wide role has not diminished the pressure he puts on himself to score for Oxford United.

The 28-year-old had always been used as a target man since joining the U’s 18 months ago.

But he has started the last two games in left midfield and could be asked to perform a similar role in the game at Port Vale tomorrow.

Taylor’s only strike this season came in the Checkatrade Trophy win against Exeter City.

While he has never been prolific, a return of five goals in 29 starts at United is below what was expected when he signed from Portsmouth.

United head coach Michael Appleton felt one of the benefits from the positional change was it would “take a bit of pressure off” Taylor to weigh in with goals.

But the forward insists that is not how he sees it when it comes to expectations of finding the net.

“Maybe from the outside but not from myself,” he said.

“I’m the same, every time I go on the pitch, I want to score.

“The goals haven’t come at the minute, but I’m sure they will.”

The move to play him on the flank caught many onlookers by surprise last weekend.

But Taylor, who was deployed in the position as a makeshift midfielder when the U’s were reduced to ten men against Swindon last month, is no stranger to a wide role.

He said: “The gaffer obviously knows I’ve played there before.

“At Bristol City I was on the left of a three up-top and I played for Rotherham on the left of a four, but that was a few years ago now.”

Although a job in midfield requires players to cover more ground, switching out from the rough and tumble up front has its benefits for Taylor.

He said: “It’s not as much of a physical battle out there and you get more time on the ball.

“You can turn and there’s more of a picture to play in front of you.

“I enjoyed myself, it’s something a bit different.

“As long as I’m playing, I’m happy.”