We are giving Oxford United fans the chance to share their views on the club every Thursday this season. This week, Will Tyrrell looks at where United could search in their hunt to replace Karl Robinson as head coach.

Towards the end of Karl Robinson’s time at Oxford United, it was becoming a matter of when, not if, he would get sacked. With result after result not going their way, the scoreline, as well as the manager’s answers, were becoming recycled and relentless.

It became clear that something was not working, but what? The same manager who got us back-to-back play-off finishes and a League Cup quarter-final only two seasons before, suddenly couldn’t buy a clean sheet, let alone three points. In fact, the last time the U’s survived 90 minutes without conceding was December 17 against Sheffield Wednesday.

With Robinson’s fate sealed, we can look back on what was a truly impressive time as United manager. Turning a Pep Clotet blunder into a side expected to finish in the top six each season.

And with the passing of legends like Mickey, Jim and Joey, Robinson showed his qualities. He became the spokesperson for the club and the city.

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Looking forward, the frontrunners are a collection of past Yellows and experienced pros. And with the club in the position we find it in, it’s natural for us fans to look towards familiar faces such as Michael Appleton.

There is also a tendency to see the bright lights of big names who are looking to set sail on their managerial career, with the likes of Robbie Fowler and Sol Campbell. But I can’t see the club taking a risk like that with the club sitting in 18th.

Maybe we don’t need a big shake-up. Robinson had clearly lost the magic touch, and a fresh face was needed. That doesn’t necessarily mean we need a manager who’s the opposite of him.

Liam Manning follows a similar template to Robinson in that he’s spent many years working as a coach in a Premier League academy and Under-21 football. He had an extremely successful first season at MK Dons, finishing one point off second.

He plays a similar brand of possession-based football, which means the teething stage between the two managers won’t be extreme.

Whoever the board choose, the most important thing is that we are in a new era, a change was needed to re-energise the squad. Hopefully the new appointment will give the side, and the fans, a boost to get us out of this situation.