WILL Goodwin is enjoying learning about different formations and styles after joining Oxford United.

The 21-year-old striker played mostly in a two-man strikeforce at previous club Cheltenham Town, but in his two substitute appearances for United, he has found himself up front on his own and playing in a two.

Signed from the Robins last month, a quad injury ensured Goodwin had to wait patiently for his debut, doing so off the bench at Blackpool on February 10.

In that game, he played through the middle on his own, while Mark Harris moved out to the right, but at Wycombe Wanderers last time out, Goodwin came off the bench at half-time to partner Harris up front.

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“In the last year or so, I was playing in a two, and we play with a one here,” said Goodwin.

“It might be something we look to do more often if I’m coming off the bench, to put more bodies forward.

“As a striker, you want players around you that look to find you in the box or link up with, so it’s always good to have a little partnership with whoever you might be playing up top with.

“He [Harris] went out wide in the Blackpool game when I came on, but I think I’m more used to playing in a two.

“I’m not against playing in a one. It’s something I want to learn and get better at, because it’s quite different to being in a two.

“I’m ready to keep learning and I’m only young, so I’ve got plenty to learn on other things as well.”

Despite Goodwin’s physical stature, U’s boss Des Buckingham has been clear that the centre forward has much more to his game than being a traditional target man.

Goodwin agrees with that sentiment, and said: “I like to mix my game up. In the Wycombe game, you’re playing against big centre halves, so you have to be that physical presence, and try and hold the ball up.

“There’ll be other times when you’re playing more ball-playing centre halves, and you have to mix your game up because of it.

“It’s different kinds of centre halves you come up against, and you have to know when to run in behind and when to come into feet, and I think it’s good that I’m learning both styles.”

Discussing his return to match fitness, he said: “You can only get that game fitness from games. There’s nothing like playing in a game.

“You can do all you want in training, and extras, but to get that real match intensity comes from playing games.

“All I can do is come off the bench and work towards a start, and until then, I’ve got to keep working hard on the training pitch and when I come on.”