Robinson: I am the right man for Oxford
KARL Robinson insists nobody could do a better job at Oxford after scrutiny over his future intensified following their defeat to Wimbledon.
Joe Pigott netted his sixth goal of the season at Kingsmeadow to back-up Scott Wagstaff ’s opener, with the hosts stunning the U’s in the first half.
Cameron Brannagan’s rifled finish gave Oxford hope in the second half and they had plenty of chances to equalise – but again they came up short, leaving Robinson with tough questions to answer.
“If I walked away and somebody else walked in, what more would they do?” he asked.
“Would they have a dressing room that is 100 per cent together? No. Would they have a team who believes they can go into games and be successful? No. So, what do you do? All of our players are in a good place, we’re just frustrated.
“They made a lot more errors than us and we didn’t capitalise. We’re getting what we deserve as we’re not taking our chances.”
Wagstaff ’s second goal of the season broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. The winger headed a cross from Andy Barcham, flicked on by Jake Jervis, past Oxford goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell.
Pigott doubled the advantage 12 minutes later, capitalising on a stumble by Oxford skipper John Mousinho to make it first to a long ball before calmly slotting the ball home.
In the last minute of the first half, Brannagan rifled home after a smart one-two with Jon Obika to reduce the deficit.
Oxford piled on the pressure in the second half but the hosts held firm, the visitors’ best chances to equalise coming through a succession of corners in a nervy end. Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley agreed Oxford were the better side, admitting: “We weren’t great. I’ve got to take responsibility for that because I’ve battered the boys all week. I thought Oxford were unfortunate to lose, I thought they were the better team. But today was our turn to dig in and get a result.
“We dug in and defended our box really well. It was all about substance over style, we had to grind. We need to try and get some momentum now.”