Oxford United head for Fleetwood on Saturday looking to put the disappointment of defeat at Charlton behind them.
A 2-0 defeat at the Valley on Tuesday hurt the U’s after beating MK Dons in their previous game and Karl Robinson told iFollow “We have to move on to the next game”
“But we never neglect the details or the result from Tuesday, the good, the bad and the ugly. We played two games in a row, MK and Charlton with three shots on target, four conceded. We all make mistakes but we have to cut them out and we spoke to the players about it. They honestly care so much about this club. We all make decisions and sometimes make mistakes. Theirs have been in public so we accept the criticism but we know we are playing well.
“We have had so many injuries and so much go against us: No Rob Atkinson, No Josh Ruffels, No Alex Gorrin for 80% of the season so far, no Sam Winnall, Cameron Brannagan’s eye problem. It has been crazy and so many things have affected what would be our strongest squad: our strongest team has not played together yet. But we have brought in players to stake a claim for their places and they now have to stand up and be counted.
“We know people aren’t happy with results or the league table. But don’t think we’re not hurting and don’t think my players are bad. We are playing very well and we are creating chances. We are in a good place with our philosophy and what we are as a club and a team. But we have to take chances and we have to eliminate the small little mistakes that have cost of games, as a team not just as individuals.
“The sports science, the medical, the coaching, the food, the preparation and the build up is very good. The players are very good. They are just feeling the effects of a long season and a short break then injuries happening, games getting cancelled: those things knock us. I will always back my players but I know people are only looking at results right now. They have every right.
“I’m not down. I was angry and disappointed after Tuesday, but so were the lads. We are going up against a good team managed by someone I have a lot of respect for and whose teams play good football with lots of energy. Which should make it a good game, but it’s definitely a game we believe we can win.”
See the full interview in iFollow right now with Match Passes available RIGHT HERE - see the game for just £10