SKIPPER John Lundstram has revealed just why Michael Appleton got the best out of his players.

The club captain, who was persuaded to drop three divisions to join Oxford United, has been an influential figure at the club since signing in August 2015.

The former Everton midfielder was made captain by Appleton last summer, and in a revealing, unpublished, interview with the Oxford Mail before the final game of last season, explained why he felt his manager’s way of dealing with players is second to none.

“He is just the type of person you always want to impress,” he said.

“He doesn’t speak to players all the time, but when he does, it’s the right thing.

“I think it’s what he says not how much he says that’s massively important.

“He always speaks with dignity and humility and for me, I just always want to impress him. All the time, every session, every game. For me that’s massive.”

Lundstram says Appleton’s calm persona on matchdays is a measure of how he conducts himself throughout the week.

And United’s skipper insists that approach helps bring out the best in his team.

“You see him on the touchline and that is just how he is all the time,” he said.

“Some players act differently and respond differently to pressure, criticism or praise and he seems to get it right.

“And when he does make big calls, he will do it in the right way.”

But the over-riding aspect of Appleton’s approach, Lundstram says, is his honesty.

“He will never lie to you,” he summised.

“I have had managers in the past who just tell you what you want to hear and don’t back what they say.

“He always tells you the truth. If you’re not playing well, he’ll tell you and if you’re out the team, he tells you why.

“Some people try to sugar-coat things, but what every man wants is the truth.

“That’s what he gives you.”