WE MUST KNUCKLE DOWN, INSISTS GARBUTT
IT’S time to put up or shut up but Luke Garbutt believes that Oxford United have the ‘never-say-die’ spirit to snap out of their funk.
The U’s remain embroiled in a relegation battle, heading into this weekend inside the bottom four, and the Everton loanee is under no illusions that the coming weeks and months are going to put him and his teammates through the wringer.
But the 25-year-old fullback, who has joined Oxford from the Toffees for the season, is certain that Karl Robinson’s troops can battle their way to safety before the trap door swings shut.
“My ambition was to be at the other end of the table,” said Garbutt.
“With the signings we made and the way the gaffer wanted the season to go, it was all pointing in the right direction.
“We got off to a bad start and we’ve not really been able to U-turn that and make it into a positive.
“In the middle of the season, we had a few positive results but it never really cleared us out of that relegation battle.
“Now, we’ve just got to knuckle down.
“We’re in a dogfight and our mentality will see us over the line because I believe we have enough quality.
“The never-say-die attitude is what’s going to get us out of this situation.
“You can’t feel sorry for yourself. You can’t just shy away from it.”
Manager Robinson insists that criticism of his current handling of the situation is water off a duck’s back.
The former Charlton and MK Dons boss said: “I think I’m good at my job.
“I think if you asked any of my players they’d tell you I’m very good at what I do.
“I have to accept the criticism. It’s the most difficult time of my career, obviously.”