Oxford United defender Elliott Moore is relishing the chance to be the clubs’ leader at the back, given the recent changes in defence.
The 23-year-old has become the most senior centre back in the team following the sale of Rob Dickie and the recent injury to John Mousinho.
Playing alongside the less experienced Rob Atkinson, Moore has had to take on similar responsibilities that Dickie did when he first joined the U’s, but he isn’t phased by the prospect of being the leader in defence.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Moore Said: “It’s my role as a centre back, you do your own job but then you also have to help others as well.
“You see the big picture on the pitch and you have to take responsibility for your own game and others in front of you.
“That’s part of the job as a centre back and I do relish that.”
Moore, who joined the U’s last summer from Leicester City, had to wait for regular first-team football but did go on to make 35 appearances for the club. And it’s that tolerance that has allowed him to take the opportunity when it comes.
He added: “I’m not the person to be smacking down the gaffer’s door. I just come in, work hard in training and bide my time.
“It’s paying off at the minute so I need to keep training hard and keep playing how the gaffer wants.”
The U’s welcome Sunderland tomorrow with both sides looking for their first win of the new League One season. The U’s are without a number of key players through injury, with Mousinho the latest casualty after picking up a knee problem during the loss against Watford.
