A dramatic winner from Billy Bodin kept Oxford United in the chase for the League 1 play-offs last night.
Bodin’s goal with five minutes left gave Karl Robinson’s side a 1-0 win over promotion chasing MK Dons and left Karl to reflect on three points earned the hard way.
“I thought we could have been two or three down at half time” he said “and that’s not being harsh on my players. We had to change one or two things but it wasn’t technical or tactical, it was because we looked a bit nervous. But from then on I thought the way we did things was impeccable and it was a very good performance against an outstanding football team.
“Our target for the season was to go better than last year and we have beaten that with two games to go. You can’t say “where do you want to finish?” but 75 points would have been enough in ten of the last 13 years but there are some incredibly good teams in the division this season and it is difficult. I felt a point would have maybe been OK but then put us under pressure to go and win the next two: six points became a must in that case. But win one of the last two and we have 78; our objective is clearly to get to 81 but the unpredictability of football is there to see.
“To be applauded by both sets of fans meant a lot to me and my family. MK fans know how much I loved my time there. Today was my 650th game as Manager and only about 70 have been anywhere other than MK or Oxford. I have loved everything about the clubs I have worked for and I wish MK all the luck in the world.
“We didn’t go wild after winning, we kept the music down because who knows, we could meet them again in the play-offs and we are always respectful. But it’s about us now and Oxford fans know this is my World.
“I want to thank the fans who really drive us on in the second half. We get so much stick for the fence at one end but kicking the other way is kicking towards a very special end for us. It’s not because of the stand or the bricks and mortar, it’s because of the people who sit in there. It’s our club, all of us, and those fans are who we play for.”
See the full interview and extended highlights in iFollow