CHRIS Wilder says that his Oxford United side will face a totally different test when they entertain Crewe tomorrow.

The Railwaymen are renowned for playing attractive, passing football.

And after being forced to endure an aerial bombardment against Crawley in their last home game, Wilder says his side will be fully prepared for the test that lies ahead.

“We played Crawley in our last game at home and I have to say that they are possibly the most direct side I have faced since I have been here,” Wilder said.

“I’m not critical of it, teams all set up and want to play in different ways.

“But they play a completely different style to Crewe.

“We are going to face a number of different challenges, and good sides can handle that.

“That’s how teams can show their true colours by how they handle different ways of playing.

“But while we always keep an eye on the opposition and how they go about it, the most important thing is we concentrate on ourselves.”

He added: “Every club goes about things in different ways.

“The last opponent we played at home and the one we play this week have shown very different strategies.

“One that concentrates on producing and improving its own players and there’s the other who can go and turn down a reported massive bid for one of their players.

“They play very different ways, and I know which one I would rather watch and I know what strategy I’d rather go down.”

The U’s lost 3-1 at Gresty Road in September, but were without both James Constable and Peter Leven that day.

“We played OK up there, but lost,” Wilder added.

“We talked about that game in the same mould of a Gillingham and Southend where we should have got something out of it, but were not good enough in the final third.

“They took their chances, we didn’t.

“We have tightened ourselves up since then, got another clean sheet at Aldershot which is testament to the hard work we have all put in.

“We might have to be a little bit more patient because they like to pass and play.

“I understand that it is a game we are maybe expected to win, but we always said that after the New Year our home form is key as six of our nine games are at home.”