TWO of Oxford United’s most in-form players have credited Pep Clotet’s man management for getting the best out of them.

Rob Hall and Joe Rothwell both owe a lot to the Spaniard’s predecessor Michael Appleton, who brought them to the club last summer.

But the pair have hit new heights in recent games as part of an exciting, youthful attacking core which has kept the U’s in Sky Bet League One’s leading pack.

Clotet’s approach, which sees him spend more time one-on-one with players, has been a big hit with both.

Hall has scored four goals already, just two behind his best tally for an entire season.

“I think it’s a good time to be an Oxford player because everyone’s confident and feeling good – the vibe is nice,” he said.

“It has to be said that a lot of it is down to the gaffer.

“From day one he pulled me to one side and said what he thought about me. It was all positive.

“Even when he raises his voice it’s always constructive.

“He is getting a side out of me that maybe other managers haven’t.”

Rothwell started 28 games last season after taking the bold decision to take regular senior football over an extra year in Manchester United’s youth set-up.

He was often asked to do a job out wide, but the departure of John Lundstram this summer has opened the door to a role in his favoured central role.

The 22-year-old has seized the chance with both hands, shouldering responsibility to dictate United’s tempo.

A haul of three goals, more than his tally for last season, in the last four games has also helped.

Rothwell said: “The way the gaffer likes the team to play suits me down to the ground.

“He’s not changed too much, but he’s added his own bit of style.

“It seems to have rubbed off on me and hopefully it can continue.

“The gaffer likes to have a lot of one-on-ones with you and wants to know what you’re thinking and how the sessions and last game have gone.

“It’s down to you when you get out on the pitch to do something that’s catches the gaffer’s eye and hopefully helps you cement a place in the team.”

Having missed the start of last season while he recovered from a serious knee injury, Hall was always expecting to improve in this campaign.

But he believes the last time he felt this good was during his first spell with the U’s.

It was six years ago this week Hall joined on loan from West Ham to get his first taste of senior football.

What happened next was hugely impressive, as the rookie bagged six goals in his first nine games, although this time it is slightly different.

He said: “Back then I was only 17, so I was just playing for fun.

“I wasn’t concentrating on points, it was about my own development.

“Now it’s about the team and contributing to winning games.

“I feel there’s still a lot more to come.

“No-one needs to be patient with me because there’s nothing wrong with me and I’m not coming back from an injury.

“I just try to take on the pressure of being fit, ready and raring to go.”