DES Buckingham reckons Oxford United can sign players this month and in future windows to fit both his preferred formations.

The U’s head coach has been fluid with how he has set the team up since arriving on November 16, although injuries and player availability have also played a part in the tactical side of the game.

Buckingham maintained the status quo in his first six matches, using a 4-2-3-1, before switching to 4-3-3 for the 3-0 win at home to Burton Albion on December 16.

He kept that shape for the next three games, with a lack of options out wide meaning 3-4-2-1 was preferred for the New Year’s Day victory at Charlton Athletic and Emirates FA Cup defeat to Coventry City.

The last two matches have seen Buckingham move to a 3-4-3.

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Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford Sport’s The Dub podcast, Buckingham said: “My two preferred formations would be 4-3-3 and 3-4-3. If you’re smart with your recruitment, you can almost tick off both of those.

“When I look across our squad right now, we’re close to having two players that can play both those roles, across every position.

“If we play three as an example, we’ve got Jordan Thorniley and Ciaron Brown, and then centrally we’ve got Elliott Moore, and on the right-hand side, we’ve got Stephan [Negru] and Sam Long.

“As wing backs, on the left, we’ve got Joe [Bennett] and Greg [Leigh], and on the right-hand side, you’ve got Fin [Stevens], and Sam could play that role.

“Then you’ve got an abundance of midfielders you can take your pick from, to play in that four-man midfield.

“In the 4-3-3, it’s very similar. You’ve got the two left backs in Greg and Joe. On the right side, you’ve got Fin and Sam, and then you’ve got Stephan, Ciaron, Elliott and Jordan between those four centre backs.

“I think those two formations can complement each other, without it hindering the development of the players we have here already, and without it hindering too much around the development plan with what we want to do.”

Discussing his coaching philosophy, Buckingham added: “There’s probably been snippets of it throughout. There are two games that for me would be playing styles and models that I would say are much more my type of football.

“The home game against Burton Albion, where we won 3-0, not just because of the scoreline, but how we played in that game, that’s certainly my type of football and my type of team.

“And then certainly the second half against Charlton, was the type of football we want to play.

“We’re still a little bit away from where I would like us to be, but what I’ve been pleased with, is that there have been snippets of it.”