TARIQE Fosu can be the ideal example for Oxford United’s young players to follow, according to boss Karl Robinson.

The matchday squad in the Leasing.com Trophy win at Crawley Town included seven teenagers.

Among them was Tyler Goodrham, who at 16 set a new record as the club’s youngest player.

Robinson was impressed with the way the midfielder stuck to the basics and felt Fosu was an inspiration for the U’s rising stars.

He said: “Tyler fits in so many positions and knows how to keep the game simple.

“He smiles every time he goes on a football pitch, he fights like it’s his last game and that’s really endearing to me.

“He knows there’s another side to football other than the flicks and the tricks.

“Tariqe’s learnt that and he’s a role model for these young players.

“Everyone raves over his talent, but we’re all speaking about his tackles in the defensive third.

“It’s the simplicity of the game which excites me and it’s the hardest thing to do. Coaches and players complicate it.”

“If we strip the game back and be fluent with a simplicity our young players have a greater opportunity to come through our system. I’m so proud of all of them.”

Goodrham began aged seven at hometown club Wycombe Wanderers, moving to Reading two years later.

He said: “I left due to a lack of game time and tried to look for more opportunities.

“I chose Oxford and look at the opportunity I’ve been given.

“In training you see three or four players from the under 18s and 23s (with the seniors).

“If that doesn’t show he (Robinson) backs the youth then I don’t know what does.”