ROBINSON RUES LACK OF U’S LUCK
OXFORD UNITED manager Karl Robinson felt his struggling side should have taken more than a point at Southend United.
The U’s dropped to the foot of the table after a stalemate at a wet Roots Hall.
But Robinson thought Oxford’s display warranted more than a share of the spoils.
“For 20 minutes we struggled to hold Southend but then we started to get into and in the second half I thought it was all us,” said Robinson.
“We had plenty of chances to score goals and the application of the squad has been unbelievable.
“Human errors have been costing us, but the big difference today was that Southend didn’t capitalise on the errors we made.
“We had more than enough chances to score ourselves, but it’s typical of our luck that they didn’t go in.
“I obviously don’t like where we are, but it doesn’t bother me because our bad luck won’t last forever.”
The Shrimpers went into the clash on the back of three successive wins but found it hard to break down the U’s.
United’s best chance in the first half saw Rob Dickie head well wide of the mark from a free kick.
The closest Chris Powell’s side came to hitting the back of the net was in the 28th minute when Jason Demetriou teed up Simon Cox, who slammed a well-struck shot against the underside of the crossbar.
Ben Coker then rattled a shot against the scoreboard after 35 minutes, as United’s defence held firm.
After the break, Oxford provided more of a threat and, in the 71st minute, Jamie Mackie met a left-wing cross from John Mousinho, only to head wide of the right post.Mowindow ments later, the visitors came closer to breaking the deadlock when Tony McMahon’s cross from deep on the right found the head of boyhood Southend fan Ricky Holmes, only for him to guide the ball inches wide of the left post.
Southend replied with Dru Yearwood firing past the left post from long range after he battled hard to win the ball.
But Oxford almost won a drab encounter at the death when Mousinho saw his close range header impressively tipped wide by Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley. The save ensured the game ended goalless but Southend boss Chris Powell was keen to remain upbeat.
“It’s seven points out of nine now and 10 points out of 12 and that’s what I’ve just told the players,” said Powell.
“In the first half I thought we were the team on the front foot, but the second half was a really scrappy affair. A point is probably about right but our game plan went out the with Johnny White going off injured.
“We had to change things around after that, but we’ve got to be positive because we haven’t lost but it’s not a game which is going to live long in the memory.”