{"id":587719,"date":"2021-03-28T05:23:55","date_gmt":"2021-03-28T09:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=587719"},"modified":"2021-03-28T05:23:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-28T09:23:55","slug":"oxford-beat-lincoln-defeat-northampton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/03\/28\/oxford-beat-lincoln-defeat-northampton\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Oxford Beat Lincoln City But Suffer Defeat Against Northampton Town"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s been another week of inconsistency for Oxford United<\/a>. The U’s lost their game in hand against relegation-threatened Northampton Town on Tuesday night before picking up all three points on Friday night as Oxford beat Lincoln City.<\/p>\n

Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Oxford Beat Lincoln But Suffer Defeat at Northampton<\/h2>\n

Three Years at Oxford United for Karl Robinson<\/h3>\n

The week began with Oxford United celebrating three years since the appointment of Karl Robinson as manager.<\/a> The U’s boss has seen several ups and downs during his tenure but the stability he has brought to the club has been a huge success.<\/p>\n

Some of the downs include spending much of his first season in the bottom four of the table and failing to make a quick start in each campaign. However, there have certainly been more ups. These include enjoyable cup runs and reaching the League One play-off final.<\/p>\n

Another thing Robinson has managed during his time at Oxford is breaking records. Twice, the U’s boss has handed a debut to an academy star who has become the club’s youngest player, his side recorded the club’s highest away win in the Football League when Oxford beat Lincoln 6-0 at Sincil Bank<\/a> and, earlier this season, he led the club to a record nine wins in succession.<\/a><\/p>\n

Defeat at Northampton<\/h3>\n

Oxford headed into their game against Northampton off the back of a league loss to Blackpool. However, the game at Sixfields was a game in hand having been postponed in January.<\/p>\n

Oxford knew a win and a Blackpool loss against Peterborough United would have moved the U’s into the top six for the first time all season, but the results were reversed with defeat for Oxford and a win for the Seasiders.<\/p>\n

The U’s just struggled to get going against a Cobblers side that sat in the bottom four and without a win in three. Jon Brady’s side are also the divisions lowest scoring side, so it was hardly a surprise the game ended 1-0. Robinson made five changes with one eye on the Lincoln game, and while it worked on Friday, it backfired on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Oxford Beat Lincoln<\/h3>\n

Again, Robinson made five changes against the Imps. One of the returning players was James Henry, who had been out with injury since late February.<\/p>\n

Lincoln headed into the game with just one win in eight, losing four, and were without a string of absentees. Despite that, Michael Appleton’s<\/a> side took an early lead. It could have been easy for Oxford heads to drop but the U’s responded brilliantly.<\/p>\n

A penalty appeal was waved away before substitute Anthony Forde netted his first goal of the season, drilling in from inside the box.<\/p>\n

While an entertaining first half ended all square, Oxford took the lead after the restart through Matty Taylor, and the U’s managed to see the game out.<\/p>\n

The win moved Oxford up to seventh and level on points with Blackpool, but dropped one place and one point off the top six after Saturday’s results.<\/p>\n

Mark Sykes Discusses Contract Extension<\/h3>\n

Midfielder Mark Sykes is out of contract in the summer but the club have the option to extend his current deal.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old has been in and out of Karl Robinson’s side this season but is enjoying a run of games at the moment.<\/p>\n

The midfielder is hoping his improved performances will prompt the club to extend his deal. Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Sykes said<\/a>: “If they take it up happy days, but they haven\u2019t told me what they want to do yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve done well when I have been playing. But it\u2019s not my decision, so it\u2019s up to the club and whatever they think.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m playing well it makes their decision a little bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>