Robinson wants Oxford to be more ruthless

Posted Wednesday, February 20, 2019 by PA

Oxford boss Karl Robinson wants his side to be more ruthless as they look to move out of the relegation places following their 4-2 loss at Accrington.

Stanley had not won in the league since Boxing Day but United could not capitalise as it was the home side who secured the vital three points.

Billy Kee headed home his 12th goal of the season in the 36th minute before Sean McConville made it 2-0 in the 57th, firing into the far corner of the net.

Substitute Luke Garbutt headed Oxford back into it just after the hour mark before Jordan Clark headed home in the 73rd minute to restore Stanley’s two-goal cushion.

John Mousinho set up a grandstand finish with an 89th minute header before Middlesbrough loan striker Luke Armstrong finally made the game safe for Stanley in injury time.

“In both boxes we were found wanting,” said Robinson. “We dominated and had chances to score but went in 1-0 down. They scored against the run of play to make it 2-0 but then we have got back in it.

“We had chances to get it back to 2-2 but it’s poor defending again and it’s 3-1. Again we got back in it and had chances to make it 3-3 but the fourth goal deflated us with little time left.

“We have got to be more ruthless, you can’t ask the players to give any more effort but we just weren’t clinical enough and we are leaving another ground scratching our heads.

“I will take the criticism, it’s part of my job, and I understand the fans’ frustrations. A lot falls on my shoulders and I ask the fans to stick behind the team.

“The players do care, they do not wear the shirt and disrespect it as I wouldn’t accept that. We have to go again. There is always pressure whether you are in a promotion fight or relegation fight and I accept that.”

John Coleman admitted his side were nervous after their seven-game winless run in the league.

“You could tell we hadn’t won for a while, we seemed determined to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory.

“We did get edgy and you have got to credit Oxford as they upped their game, committed men forward, but we kept going.

“It’s amazing as we were miles better in the first half and we scored one goal whereas we got three in the second half and we didn’t play anything like we had.

“I think on the balance of play we deserved to win but I did fear the worst. We lost a 2-0 lead at Sunderland on Friday to draw 2-2 and I thought it was going to be a repeat but thankfully we took our chances.

“We haven’t won since Boxing Day so we aren’t shouting from the rooftops. There is still a lot of work to do.”