“We’re not being as aggressive as we need to be.”- Karl Robinson reacts to New Years Day defeat

Karl Robinson was disappointed with the efforts in the final third following Oxford’s 1-0 defeat to Exeter City at the Kassam Stadium.

Sam Nombe’s 79th minute strike took the three points back to the south-west despite the Yellows’ domination for the majority of the match.

Speaking after the game, U’s manager Karl Robinson reacted to the result: “I thought the attitude was excellent and level of intensity in the first half and parts of the second half, but you can’t play for the large part of that game and not score.”

Matty Taylor led the line for the home side due to Billy Bodin being restricted to second half minutes through illness. Yanic Wildschut and Tyler Goodrham played on either wing despite neither having a start under their belt for the U’s.

“When we speak of defending, we do so as a team and when we speak of scoring, we do so as a team, that includes set plays and their goal came from two of our players not doing their job [from a set piece] so it’s frustrating.

“We were on top against Charlton and put the game to bed. [Against Exeter] We haven’t been aggressive enough and it’s been the story of the last three, four years that we’ve been aggressive in our final third play but for some reason at this moment in time, we’re not being as aggressive as we need to be.”

Robinson’s men have a hiatus from league football with Fleetwood their next opposition in 13 days, following an FA Cup third round tie with Premier League opposition, Arsenal, next week.

“We’ve had a lot of players out, we’ve only had one striker fit, practically all season so we’re looking for some reinforcements; the Fleetwood game in the aim but there’s a lot of work to do before then.

“Players like Kyle [Joseph] would’ve been useful today with his energy and you’re always going to get injuries and you have to accept them.

“A disappointing thing for me today was when the substitutes came on, they looked lethargic, they had no impact on the game, and that’s something we will look at.”