WHILE Oxford United’s forwards have caught the eye this season, the team’s promising start owes much to a blossoming partnership in midfield.

Danny Rose and Liam Sercombe have teamed up in the engine room to provide a very useful pairing.

After lining up on opposite sides several times in previous seasons, they knew a lot about each other when Sercombe arrived from Exeter City in May.

But Rose is delighted with the way they have quickly figured out how to combine effectively.

“I think we complement each other quite nicely in our styles,” he said.

“Sometimes you’re just on a wavelength with a player and without even talking to them you know roughly where they’re going to be because the mindset is the same. That’s the case with Liam.

“I do thoroughly enjoy playing with him.

“When you are in the same team you have respect towards the guy you’ve played against, that’s always been a good challenge.

“It’s not really a surprise when it clicks.”

The feeling is reciprocated.

Sercombe said: “Danny Rose has started very well, I liked him before I came to the club.

“I’ve played against him a few times and knew what he was about.

“We’ve got a good understanding so early on.

“I do love playing with him, he knows when I want to go forward.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Danny Rose first saw signs he and Liam Sercombe could work well together during pre-season training

The first indications the pair could dovetail came in pre-season training, but Rose only knew for sure when they had done it during a game.

He said: “You can be on each other’s team in training and play well together, but until you get into a match scenario, especially in pre-season games, you really get to see the little things a player does that you remember.

“He’s not the biggest of talkers off the pitch, but on it he will let you know where he is or where you need to be.

“Those are the little things that can make the difference.”

Sercombe has been a big hit this season and kickstarted the Capital One Cup shock at Brentford with the opening goal in a 4-0 win.

The 25-year-old admits the speed at which he has bedded down has taken him by surprise.

“I was at Exeter since I was 12 and I was pretty nervous to move,” he said.

“The players and staff helped me settle in so quickly, I didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it did because I’m quiet in some ways.

“It’s been brilliant for me so far.”

  • DANNY Rose says the signing of John Lundstram can only be good for Oxford United, even if it makes his task of staying in the side tougher.

The former Everton trainee made his debut as a late substitute in Tuesday night’s 3-1 win against Notts County.

He is likely to be in the squad again tomorrow for the visit to Mansfield Town, where Rose and Liam Sercombe are set to continue in the starting XI.

Rose is well aware Lundstram will be fit enough to play 90 minutes shortly and his shirt will be one of those under threat.

The 27-year-old is aiming to maintain his strong start, but thinks it is great news for the squad.

He said: “John’s got a great pedigree and there’s no doubt he’s come here to play.

“It only increases the competition, but he has to get himself in the team.

“We can only do our best to keep the shirt for ourselves, but ultimately it only bodes well for the team as a whole.”