Good mates at Bristol Rovers - but Portsmouth defender's friendship with Oxford striker will be non-existent in play-offs

So it’s no wonder Lee Brown believes the Blues must be wary of his good mate Matty Taylor in the League One play-offs.

The striker has been identified as one of Oxford’s danger men when they visit Fratton Park for the semi-final first leg tonight.

On a season-long loan from Bristol City, Taylor has bagged 17 times in 35 appearances for Karl Robinson’s men.

SEE ALSO: Defender relaxed over future with focus on the League One play-offs

Two of his efforts have arrived against Pompey – in the 2-2 Leasing.com Trophy draw in October and the 1-1 stalemate in the league a month later.

Taylor and Brown were both key members of the Bristol Rovers side that clinched back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One in 2015 and 2016.

The pair have exchanged messages in the build-up to the game in light-hearted spirit – but friendship will go out of the window when they lock horns.

Brown said: ‘Matty is a great lad and is a really close friend. He was in that group at Bristol Rovers that was very tight-knit.

‘I know his capabilities and that he can score goals so we'll have to be very wary of Matty tonight and on Monday.

‘Do I want to beat him? One-hundred per cent and so does Ellis (Harrison).

‘There have been a couple of texts on how he thinks they're going to win and we're going to batter them!

‘It's all a bit of banter but the real McCoy will start tonight. As soon as you cross that white line then there won't be any laughing and joking.

‘We had that mentality for seven or eight years when we played together. We'd laugh and joke off the pitch but as soon as you cross that white line then we'd switch on and it'd be go time.

‘It didn't matter if you played against your family – it was all about winning. It was so important and we've kept that throughout our careers.’

There’s little to choose between Pompey and Oxford heading into the clash.

The Blues finished fifth in the table after the season was curtailed, with the U’s a place higher in fourth.

And having already shared two draws this term, Brown’s expecting another tight affair.

He added: ‘Oxford are a good side and are in the play-offs for a reason.

‘They were on a very good run before the lockdown but that was almost four months ago. All the matters is the here and now and it's like a mini-tournament.

‘No team or player is used to playing with no fans and being off for so long. We'll see which team copes with it best and the best team will go on to get promoted.

‘They're a good side but I'm quietly confident. We are a good side and it'll be very tight, especially the first game.

‘It usually is in the play-offs. You're there for a reason and there isn't much in it between the two teams.

‘No-one wants to be that person to make a mistake. I know the League Two final wasn't like that but that's what these unprecedented times are causing.

‘Northampton adapted better and ended up winning 4-0 whereas the final would usually be a really tight game.

‘In the play-offs, especially now, it's who prepares best and who will get over the barrier of there being no fans and that's who'll come out on top.’