OXFORD United’s versatility across a week which reignited their play-off chances left Karl Robinson buzzing.
Back-to-back wins against Ipswich Town and AFC Wimbledon have slashed the gap to sixth place from eight points to just three.
Read also: Oxford United's victory at Ipswich Town was the 'perfect' away display, says Rob Dickie
But it was the stark difference of the performances – a gritty 1-0 success at Portman Road on the back of a glorious 5-0 hammering against the Dons – which stood out.
United head coach Robinson said: “As a football manager that’s the pinnacle, when you know you can send your team out in a slightly different way with the same basic principles, but with a twist to it.
“I think the players took on board everything we worked on in the week and to get the win here I’m so proud of them.”
While the triumph at Ipswich was based on hard graft, the goal was a thing of beauty.
The move started in United’s half, but rapidly cut through the Ipswich defence as four teammates combined to leave Matty Taylor with a simple tap-in.
Robinson said: “It’s a wonderful goal, a wonderful move.
“Weirdly we worked this week on getting the first pass out of the middle of the pitch, Cameron Brannagan running forward between the lines and then Matty staying out of the way.
“When little plans like that come together it’s nice, the players work so hard on repetition.”
The result took United past the 50-point barrier with 12 games remaining.
Robinson, who added he did not know anything about a link with the Blackpool vacancy, said: “We didn’t get to this point until five games to go last year.
“Everything we’ve done this year has surpassed what anybody thought we would manage to achieve.
“For us to be where we are with what we spend and what we do is quite remarkable.”
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