MARVIN Johnson will be aiming to be the man to undo Rochdale for the second time this season as Oxford United look to start a massive week with a win.

The 26-year-old made his U’s debut against Dale, days after completing a deadline day move from Motherwell.

While he missed a glorious chance in the dying seconds, it was Johnson’s 88th-minute run and cross which set up Liam Sercombe to score the only goal of the game.

That victory has looked better as the months have passed and Dale have climbed into the Sky Bet League One play-off places.

Johnson’s rise has been similarly impressive, recovering from a slow start to be United’s most consistent outfield performer in recent weeks.

And another clash with Rochdale offers a chance to reflect on how far Johnson has come between the games.

He said: “It’s just been about being willing to work hard and give everything. I’ve let the rest take care of itself.

“Rochdale was my first game and they were a very good side.

“I’ll claim the assist for the goal, but even then I was a bit annoyed afterwards that I should have scored.”

Rochdale’s surge up the table has come largely on the back of ten straight home wins.

Ending that run would be the perfect springboard for United, who host Bradford City and Newcastle United in different cup competitions in the next week.

While Johnson took on Dale in September as an out-and-out winger, his best form has come since dropping deep to become an attacking left back.

An injury to Joe Skarz forced the experiment and although the experienced defender is now being kept out of the side, his advice has been invaluable.

Johnson said: “Skarzy’s obviously very good defensively. That’s his natural role, whereas it’s not mine, so he has helped me out in that aspect and I have tried to put the two together.

“I’ve had a few people in the past tell me they see me as a flying left back, but I had never really seen it.

“Tottenham have the best example of it at the moment, their right and left backs (Kyle Walker and Danny Rose) are like whippets and get up and down.

“That’s obviously working for them because they’re in terrific form.

“I think that’s what a lot of people are looking for now – attacking full backs – I don’t think they look at the defending side as much.”