Oxford United boss Karl Robinson has labelled Bristol Rovers' tactics as "peculiar" after admitting that his side had to change their plans on Saturday.
An early injury to Marcus McGuane forced Oxford into a change, with the midfielder going off after just 15 minutes at the Kassam Stadium.
Cameron Brannagan came on in his place and helped Oxford to a 2-0 win against Paul Tisdale's side, leaving the Gas outside the relegation zone in League One.
But Robinson has admitted that he quickly switched from a 4-3-3 formation to play a 4-2-3-1 system off the back of what Bristol Rovers had done, with Tisdale lining up with a 3-5-1-1 shape, which drew criticism from supporters as Max Ehmer again played at right wing-back.
Meanwhile, as a result of a booking for Rovers' Luke Leahy in the first half, Oxford wingers James Henry and Mide Shodipo switched flanks, which Robinson felt afterwards was key to their success.
“We just felt if somebody’s booked, one person you don’t want in a one-v-one duel is Mide Shodipo,” said Robinson, as reported by the Oxford Mail.
“They played a very peculiar system with a back five, a diamond and then one (up front).
“It’s hard to cope with, because when you want to be aggressive against their back three and wing-backs, you then get flooded in the middle of the pitch.
“We had to make sure the pivot of their diamond didn’t control the game.”
Robinson added, however, that he felt Rovers would improve under Tisdale as he praised his opposite number after the game.
“I wouldn’t say we were scintillating," he said.
“I wouldn’t say we blew Bristol Rovers away, but they’ve got a good manager, they’ve got good players in their squad and they will strengthen before this (transfer) window comes to an end."
