ROBINSON: WE’RE NOT SURE WHY ALEX GAME WAS CALLED OFF AGAIN
OXFORD United manager Karl Robinson admitted he was in the dark as to why their game against Crewe Alexandra was called off for a second time.
The League One game at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night was called off hours before the game. The fixture had initially been scheduled for 10 days before, but was postponed because of positive coronavirus tests in the Crewe Alex camp. Ryan Wintle and Omar Beckles had contracted the virus prior to the original date, although the duo returned to be involved in last Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.
Owen Dale and Oli Finney are currently self-isolating away from Crewe Alex after also testing positive. However, Tuesday’s postponement was shrouded in mystery with no specific reason being given for the latest decision.
Robinson told the Oxford Mail shortly after the news broke: “There’s been statements sent out and loads of theories as to why the game’s been called off, but it must be serious. You never get this, it’s unheard of.
“We’ve heard the government have called it off, we’ve heard the EFL have called it off, we’ve heard Crewe have called it off.
“If the EFL have called it off because the protocol isn’t correct, then what a great call.
“You have to take your hat off to them if it’s for the health of people, then it’s the correct decision.” Robinson said that Oxford should be handed the points if any issues had developed.
He also felt that the Alex’s protocols before the original game were not right.
He added: “For me it’s a necessity, you have to (award Oxford the points). I don’t want to upset Crewe and let’s be honest we don’t know.
“They could have an influx of people who aren’t well and we wish them well. “The most important thing is people being healthy. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and we have to make sure we do the right things.
“We’re not 100 per cent sure what the right story is. We’ve prepared to play and we’re bitterly disappointed.
“If you’re asking me, I think the protocol they did before the first game was wrong.
“When (Ryan) Wintle got it they should have tested everyone and not travelled until they knew their bus was clean.
“We’ll see. We’ll have to trust the EFL and we’ve also heard the government involved.
“We have to trust the decision not to play tonight.” Meanwhile, Crewe Alex midfielder Tom Lowery has signed a new two-year contract.
Lowery was handed his first professional deal at Gresty Road in 2016 after progressing through the club’s academy.
He has gone on to make 103 appearances for the club, scoring six goals. However he has been limited to just two games so far this season after returning from a hernia problem.