After two consecutive losses in the last week, Oxford United have fallen from fifth and now sit eighth in the league and three points away from the play-offs. 

This Saturday they welcome Sunderland who sit directly above them in the table and also have a game in hand over the Us making this a massive game in both teams' seasons, as they push for a play-off spot.

Sunderland go into Saturday's game on the back of three wins and no losses in their previous five games so Oxford have their work cut out for them and will have to re-find some form to overcome them.

Despite the toughness of this game, Oxford boss Karl Robinson believes his side can still make the play-offs reminiscing on his side's late run of form that took them to the play-offs last season.

He told Oxford Mail: "We've got 15 points to play for, this is far from over and we'll go again on Saturday.

"We've still got five games to go, that's the big thing.

"We work in blocks and we haven't won the first game in any [since the new year].

"You almost look at it with a wry smile and know we will have another chance.

"This is not the end of it, I remember speaking at AFC Wimbledon last season and we thought that was the end."

With six games to go for Oxford now, Robinson has rallied his team as he believes they are capable of achieving the play-offs as he said: "These players give everything every time they go on the pitch.

"They're going to lose games, they're going to make mistakes, we're human beings.

"Look after them, protect them, get behind them and give them what they need.

"We've got to take it game by game and try to get the points total that gets us in the play-offs.

"There's nothing more we can do than keep winning games and see where we end up."

The Verdict: 

Robinson is completely right not to give up on his team especially considering the late run they had last season.

Obviously his side's last two results have not been great especially with a loss against relegation battling Morecambe, but this could also be the wake up call they needed to get themselves into gear for the end of the season.

They've still got a fair amount of games to go based on where they are in the league and whilst they'll also need a couple of results to go their way, in general as long as they're in good form they can make the play-offs.

Robinson has reiterated his belief in his players which should give them a confidence boost and they now go to face Sunderland.