{"id":596432,"date":"2021-07-18T13:04:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-18T17:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=596432"},"modified":"2021-07-18T13:04:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-18T17:04:00","slug":"oxford-united-weekly-round-up-karl-robinson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/07\/18\/oxford-united-weekly-round-up-karl-robinson\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Pre-Season Friendlies and Karl Robinson Frustration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pre-season has begun for Oxford United<\/a>. After a week’s training in Bournemouth, the U’s kicked off their pre-season friendlies with games against local sides North Leigh and Oxford City. While the League One side saw off both of their opponents, manager Karl Robinson aired his thoughts after the win over City, mainly about the lack of incoming transfer during this window.<\/p>\n

Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Pre-Season Friendlies and Karl Robinson Comments<\/h2>\n

Young U’s Side Win at North Leigh<\/h3>\n

Oxford United began their pre-season friendlies with a 3-1 win over North Leigh, in memory of U’s fan Lloyd Calcutt.<\/p>\n

The visitors raced into an early lead through Enrique Tiamuna before Adam Smith doubled the young U’s lead.<\/p>\n

The hosts reduced the deficit after the break with a penalty but Gatlin O’Donkor, Oxford’s youngest ever player, added a third late on.<\/p>\n

Oxford City 2-3 Oxford United<\/h3>\n

After a week spent building up the players’ fitness in Bournemouth, the first-team squad kicked off their pre-season with a visit to Court Place Farm to face city rivals, Oxford City.<\/p>\n

After a strong start, the U’s took the lead when Dan Agyei headed home Anthony Forde’s corner. At the other end, Jacob Bancroft hit the post with Simon Eastwood<\/a> beaten.<\/p>\n

United doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half through Matty Taylor<\/a> but a late surge from the hosts brought the game level. First, Lewis Coyle beat substitute goalkeeper Kie Plumley with a fierce effort before the midfielder added a second two minutes from time.<\/p>\n

But with seconds remaining, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin met Ryan Williams<\/a>‘ cross to give the U’s the win over their city rivals.<\/p>\n

Karl Robinson Gives His Views on the Club’s Current Transfer Situation<\/h3>\n

Following the U’s win over Oxford City, U’s boss Karl Robinson gave his thoughts on the current squad and the club’s transfer activity.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the Oxford Mail<\/a>, he said: \u201cWe weren\u2019t great tonight but I didn\u2019t expect anything other than what I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe players have been brilliant but we\u2019re still miles away from being a good team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a few things that have happened in the last 24 hours with things that will stay internal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be one of them stories that we\u2019ll talk about in a couple of weeks when we\u2019re allowed to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking about his sides transfers, he added: \u201cWe know we need two left-backs, a left-sided centre half, two left-wingers \u2013 it\u2019s clearly evident.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we want to compete in the league this year, this is not good enough where we\u2019re sitting right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really pleased with where this group is at, but we\u2019ve lost players so don\u2019t expect this group to lose players and be better than last year when everybody else is improving.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we mean it, we go for it. I\u2019m sorry if I\u2019m bringing the level of excitement down, I\u2019m not employed to accept \u2018that\u2019ll do\u2019 \u2013 I\u2019m employed to want more and be better.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to be a team that\u2019s rivalling the rest in this league, but right now this league is going insane.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t lose Rob Atkinson<\/a> and Josh Ruffels<\/a> and expect this team to go again \u2013 we\u2019ve sold 11 and a half million in three years and reached the top six twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Win at Salford City<\/h3>\n

On Saturday, the U’s took to the field again to take on Salford City. The hosts took a first-half lead before Mark Sykes was denied by the Ammies’ goalkeeper. The midfielder then won his side a penalty but Sam Winnall was denied from 12 yards.<\/p>\n

But his strike partner Taylor came to the rescue after meeting Agyei’s cross to level the game before adding a second 13 minutes from time.<\/p>\n

At the end of the game, a young U’s side played 45 minutes against Salford, with O’Donkor netting a hat-trick in a 4-1 win.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>