He may never have experienced life in the Football League as a player but Karl Robinson has certainly made his mark on the EFL as a coach.
Robinson guided Oxford United to back-to-back play-off campaigns in the previous two seasons and will certainly feel some frustration that he is unable to complete the hat trick this term.
The 41-year-old has been in charge of the U’s since March 2018, after switching from Charlton Athletic.
His coaching career began in the Liverpool Academy before a switch to Blackburn Rovers, with his first managerial role coming with MK Dons in 2010. His first two seasons brought play-off appearances before guiding MK Dons into the Championship in 2015.
Robinson on Oxford’s loss to Rotherham United last weekend:
“At the moment, the bigger picture overshadows the small detail of the game. I don’t want to say human error.
“The same players have been magnificent this year. Luke [McNally] is a young kid, and he’s learning.
“He shouldn’t be held accountable for that one mistake by him.
“He’s given us everything – from the beginning of the season to the end of the season – sometimes playing or not playing.
“But from my point of view, they’ve got to make sure they keep doing the right things.”
On the pressures of this season after earning a play-off spot last season:
“I don’t even feel the pressure, and that’s me being completely transparent honest. But I feel more pain sometimes than joy of winning.
“I’d like next week [against Doncaster Rovers] to be important. I’d like our fans to get there and support each other.”
On what it will take to get promotion next season:
“We finished [the game against Rotherham] on 75 points, and the league is crazy this year. We’ve been a part of that craziness. There’s been some memorable moments.
“It’s certain games – no disrespect to these teams, the Gillingham at home; the Morecambe; Cheltenham – and that’s not being disrespectful, like AFC Wimbledon.
“I’m not trying to use them as anything of sorts [disrespectful], but they are examples of where we have to be better. And that’s how you get promoted.”
On facing Rovers:
“Doncaster are an amazing club who have done so well over the last few years and we will respect them and the rest of the league as well.
“But first and foremost we want to win.”