LIAM Manning is pleased with the increased competition brought about by Oxford United’s latest signings.
Left back Greg Leigh arrived from Ipswich Town last Thursday, with Leeds United striker Sonny Perkins signing on a season-long loan the following day.
The duo took the number of summer arrivals at the U’s to 10 new faces.
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United head coach Manning said: “If you want to be successful as a team, you have to have competition.
“It’s always a danger if people know they’re going to play or feel like they’re going to play no matter what.
“You get that element of complacency, which we don’t want.
“We want people right on the edge and knowing they’re accountable for their performances.
“People have to step up and deliver because ultimately we’re in a performance industry.”
On the arrival of Leigh, who signed for an undisclosed fee, Manning said: “His physical attributes are terrific. He gives you a lot going forward, but at the same point, defensively he’s strong in the air, aggressive and robust.
“He’s someone that knows the level and has played many games at the level, and won a promotion last year.
“You’re bringing in someone that knows what it takes to win, which is also important.
“He’s only going to strengthen what we’ve already got.
“Ciaron’s [Brown] been terrific and is still an important part of what we’re doing, but what it allows us to do is give us other options.”
Discussing the addition of Perkins, the U’s boss said: “He plays predominantly as a nine, but he can also play wide and as a 10 as well, so he gives us another option in our frontline.
“He can play off both feet and carries a goal threat.
“When you look at the depth in those areas of the pitch and the quality we’ve got there, the competition is there for people to deliver.
“That’s the challenge. Sonny brings more competition, so now people need to stay at it and keep delivering.
“When they don’t, we’ve then got options to change it.”
Asked where Perkins is likely to feature most often this season, Manning responded: “I don’t think I need to commit to one or the other right now, part of it depends on who we’re playing and what the game plan is.
“We’ve got options. Tyler’s [Goodrham] played left and right, Ruben’s [Rodrigues] played from wide at times, Billy’s [Bodin] played both and Sparky [Mark Harris] can play wide if needs be. It gives us the options to move people around and rotate.”
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