Karl Robinson has stated that he needs more pressure upon himself as a manager ahead of the League One run-in across the next couple of months.

Oxford take on AFC Wimbledon at The Kassam Stadium tonight as they look to give their play-off hopes a boost and move closer towards the top six.

They have recently dropped out of the top six because of their cup exertions over recent weeks and are now sat 11th in the League One table with eight points separating them and sixth-placed Portsmouth.

Speaking to the official club website, Robinson said: "There is so much more football to play this season.

"I took stock at the weekend and thought to myself that this club needs to kick on now.

"I need more pressure on me to deliver. There was pressure in those first few months but this is honestly the best I have felt. I feel home. I don’t know why that is.

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"Maybe it’s the fans: the criticism is fair but I also think they understand when I stick up for my players. I love this group and will always stick up for them because I need to get them to perform again. And on Tuesday night I know they will."

Oxford have failed to win in their last three league games with losses to high-flyers Sunderland and Peterborough coming either side of a draw with Burton Albion.

Those two losses have only been part of nine this season in the league as the U's have seen their form dip following Christmas.

Robinson has been in charge of Oxford since March 2018 when he took over after departing Charlton Athletic and the 39-year-old put pen to paper on a new contract at The Kassam Stadium last August which sees him stay contracted until 2022.

The Verdict

Oxford still have 16 games to go this season and they will be fighting for plenty of points between now and the end of the season.

The League One side have a squad that is capable of making it into the play-offs by the time May comes around but they know that they will be playing catch-up against their more experienced rivals.