Robinson unhappy with referee as Oxford draw with Wycombe

Posted Sunday, September 16, 2018 by PA

Oxford manager Karl Robinson criticised referee David Webb for getting the big decisions wrong after his side were held to a goalless draw by Wycombe.

The U’s started the game in the relegation places with just one win from their first eight games, while the hosts were only marginally better off, sitting just above the drop zone.

But despite Oxford having the better of the chances, it was Adebayo Akinfenwa who went closest to winning the game for Wycombe as his headed goal was ruled out in injury time.

And while Robinson rued his side’s inability to capitalise on their chances in front of goal, he did not hold back when giving his verdict on the performance of referee Webb.

“The referee was poor and we didn’t take our chances, that’s how we didn’t win the game,” he said.

“Our back four and the goalkeeper were excellent, but to be honest it’s hard to pick a good player.

“Maybe I need to re-read the rule book because I had a player who got elbowed in the nose and he got a free-kick given against him.

“The referee got some big decisions wrong. I just thought let’s not give the game away because we’re not far away from being a good team. We’ve just got to take our chances when they come along.

“I feel sorry for the players and the fans because it’s [not taking our chances] a tough thing to take.”

Wycombe were forced to make a change after only eight minutes when Anthony Stewart limped off, while the game was halted for nearly 10 minutes when Cameron Brannagan accidentally clashed heads with team-mate Cameron Norman.

The visitors went close to taking the lead through Jonathan Obika, Shandon Baptiste and Gavin Whyte, while Wycombe goalkeeper Ryan Allsop pulled off a great save to deny Ricky Holmes.

Oxford’s Josh Ruffles then saw his shot blocked in the second half before Akinfenwa had his header ruled out at the death as neither side could find the back of net despite 16 minutes of injury time.

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth said: “It’s good to have got something from the game, but it’s frustrating as well that we haven’t taken our chances.

“We played well in patches but we need to be better if we’re going to get the results we’re looking for. They [Oxford] were the better side first half.

“Gavin Whyte was fantastic and we had to stop him getting the ball. But we nullified it and got back into the game. I know Oxford fans don’t like it being called a derby, but it certainly looked like a derby game and it’s a good point.

“There was a lot of passion out there and, for spells, we played well. But we just didn’t have enough to get the win.”