Oxford United got back on track with a fantastic 5-0 win at home to AFC Wimbledon last night, leaving a delighted Karl Robinson pleased with the effort from everyone: players, staff and fans.
“We spoke about how well Wimbledon had been doing and that it would be difficult for us so we needed to keep the ball moving quickly and press at the right times” he told iFollow. “The players did that and it was the same sort of performance that we got at the weekend but the result was different. We knew that if we kept playing well then results would follow and I thought we played in a very controlled way
“We had to play well and some of the stuff we did was outstanding, Nathan Holland got his two goals but I thought Marcus Browne was on another planet some times. We forget how young he is: Nathan, Marcus, Sykesy, Cameron, Elliott…they are all 22 or 23 and have many years ahead of them but they played with tremendous maturity tonight as well as that youthful enthusiasm. Some of the stuff we played was terrific.
“There will be days when we are way off that sort of performance and have to grind things out; the season is very long and there is no team in the world who can play well every single time. We have to find other ways of winning when things go a little bit against us. Those things come with confidence and maybe a little bit of luck. Tonight was a lovely night but the football season is a lot more than that.
“We have an opportunity here and need to grasp it now. We have lost players and then tonight were without Alex Gorrin who is almost ever-present, plus our captain John Mousinho. But Cameron, James Henry and Matty Taylor are all finding their rhythm again and to have those energy levels tonight when we have nine games this month was sensational. Our Sports Science team with Shorty and Amy and all their staff have given everything to make sure our players are fit and able. We face any challenge together and that gives you a tremendous platform for that sort of performance.
“We move on to Ipswich on Saturday and then there are two home games next week where we want fans to come along and get behind us. I thought the fans got behind us after 25 minutes or so this evening, just when we needed them, and we are going to need them every game now between tonight and the end of the season.”
See the full interview plus extended highlights, all in iFollow right now.