Midweek fun gets Robbo off the mark

KARL Robinson claims a trip to the local David Lloyd Centre for a head tennis session helped lift Oxford’s players ahead of their vital win over Southend.

It was his first win as U’s manager and takes them to 50 points, within touching distance of safety.

First-half goals from James Henry and Ricardinho did the trick as the U’s won for only the third time in 16 games.

Robinson said: “The players were so down after losing to Accrington on Tuesday that we felt we had to do something to lift their spirits. They were on the floor.

“So we went to the David Lloyd Centre and organised some head tennis games instead of the normal training session, just to relieve the tension. It was great, it really helped lift the mood.

“I’m just gutted my team only came third, and I lost a bit of money on it too!”

The light-hearted session put Oxford’s players back in a positive frame of mind – and they started superbly.

Henry dribbled past two defenders and fired low into the far corner of the net in the sixth minute.

Ricardinho then struck in first-half stoppage time when, after running from deep inside his own half, he took Jon Obika’s return pass and shot low into the net from eight yards, with the help of a deflection.

Robinson said: “We were on fire in the first 15 minutes.

“We missed too many chances for my liking, but they had a number of opportunities they didn’t take too.

“For me it’s a feeling of relief. But this is not about me. It was nice to get that win most of all for the fans, and the players, who have deserved it.

“I’m so proud of the players, they performed ever so well. Every aspect of our game was very good.

“Ricardinho is a diamond. I love him because he plays with his heart. That was Derek Fazackerley’s call to bring him back into the team.”

Dru Yearwood’s 20-yard drive just before the break that hit the inside of the post was a gamechanger.

Southend boss Chris Powell said: “If Yearwood’s shot goes in, it’s a different game.

“But I’m very disappointed. We were playing against a team who were desperate for a win, and we let them have their first goal.

“I’m not happy with what I’ve seen. I really hope it’s not end-of-season syndrome because I thought I knew what I’d got with my players, and this performance now gives me a lot to think about.”