RYAN Ledson’s 50-yard dashes after the ball may look chaotic, but nothing could be further from the truth, according to Rob Hall.

Pressing – when to do it and, perhaps more importantly, when not to do it – has been one key area for Pep Clotet since taking over as Oxford United manager in July.

It suits a player with impressive energy reserves like Ledson, who regularly leaves his station in central midfield to pursue the opposition in their own half.

The 20-year-old’s desire, not to mention his wild enthusiasm celebrating United’s goals, has made him a big hit with supporters.

But Hall knows there is method behind the surges.

“People see him charging about and they might think he’s running around like a headless chicken, but he knows when to press,” the winger said.

“When you see him go, everyone else in the team thinks ‘I’ve got to go’.

“I think it was against Wimbledon he closed down the defender, to the keeper, to the right back – we won it and had an attack.

“Others might look at it like he’s running around like a six-year-old, but he’s very smart and knows when to press.

“If he goes, he does it 100 per cent.”

The former Everton trainee is approaching 50 appearances for United, but Hall believes he brings a level of understanding to the team normally seen in players more than a decade his senior.

He said: “Lego’s still a young professional from the outside, but the maturity level and experience he has is like a 35-year-old.

“I see him not just as a good friend off the pitch, but on it he’s one of those players who can get you out of trouble.”