Oxford manager Karl Robinson has revealed that player retention is going to be as crucial for his side this season than attracting new faces to the Kassam.

The U's had a tough season, only finding form in the final few matches. Their recent streak has seen them climb to the lower top half of the table, heights seemingly outside their grasp as they emerged from the January transfer window.

Karl Robinson appears to have found the right method at the death, but he's now going to be looking ahead to next season, hoping to ensure this campaign's struggles are not repeated.

He's told the Banbury Cake that not only is it important to bring in new faces, but also keep the players he sees as part of his plans.

“If he (chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth) allowed me to bring in three or four players and lets me keep everyone I’ve got, I’d back myself and this team. That’s just as important as bringing players in.

“Obviously certain loan players would go back, but don’t forget you could add Hally (Rob Hall) to that and Shandon (Baptiste), who have been injured.

"If you look at our results since October when Simon Eastwood came back in it’s been a play-off team.”

Oxford are now 11th on 59 points, with Doncaster and Luton left to face.

In recent weeks they've beaten play-off hopefuls Coventry City, in-form Charlton Athletic and emerged from a clash against Shrewsbury on the right side of a five-goal thriller.

The Verdict

Robinson is right that his team have showed great form, but perhaps going back to October is a little bold. They won one in eleven between December and February, meaning their recent form is the reason behind the rise.

That said, they've lost one in eleven, winning eight of those since February 23rd. That's an impressive run and hints at a capable squad that needs to be kept together.