OXFORD United did not do enough to silence a raucous AFC Wimbledon crowd, admitted Karl Robinson.
The U’s head coach’s MK Dons links added an extra dimension to the 3-1 defeat, which was the hosts’ first victory in front of a full crowd at the new Plough Lane.
United led 1-0 at the break through Mark Sykes’s goal, but missed chances and a failure to defend set-pieces ultimately cost them.
“Sometimes when the atmosphere is intense it’s something you know has to be better,” Robinson said.
“You can imagine I’m biting my tongue a little bit from what was actually said out of protection to my players.
Read also: Karl Robinson and set-pieces and tactical changes
“We missed chances at 1-1 and then we get done by set-plays.
“We can analyse the game as much as we think we know about the industry, but that’s as simplistic as it gets.”
Like last season’s fixture – when Wimbledon also fought back to win – there was a frantic pace to the game.
The U’s head coach praised the hosts, who have lost just seven of their 27 Sky Bet League One games under Mark Robinson.
Ratings: Every Oxford United player marked out of 10
United’s boss said: “It was fantastic to watch, these are a very good team.
“They’ve only lost seven in 30, so they’re not on a bad run themselves.
“We dust ourselves off, it’s early in the season, there’s a lot more football to be played.”
There were 24 minutes between Wimbledon’s first and second goals and Jordan Thorniley felt the U’s could have managed the game better.
“I definitely think we could’ve taken the sting out of it at the back and killed the atmosphere,” the centre back said.
“It was just unfortunate that second one didn’t go in.
“The game would possibly have been put to bed if we’d got that second one.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel