KARL Robinson hailed a collective effort on and off the pitch which saw Oxford United begin a crucial week by extending their cushion over the relegation zone.

The goalless draw with Oldham Athletic fell short of the victory the hosts craved, but results elsewhere largely went for the U’s, who have a five-point advantage over the bottom four.

More points are needed at home to Fleetwood Town tomorrow night and Southend United on Saturday, but Robinson was encouraged.

While the head coach admitted his side looked low on confidence in the final third, he could not fault the desire – on the pitch and the terraces.

“I can’t ask any more of the whole football club, I’m proud of them,” he said.

“We tried everything to win the game, but not to throw it away at the same time.

“The fans were brilliant and I’m learning about this club.

“When you first come here and you see the stadium with the lack of one side and the openness between the corners, you wonder how an atmosphere can be created, but I’ve really seen it now. It’s only enthused me even more. People who know me know I’m all or nothing.

“Once I know there are people here who are willing to push and push, my life now is dedicated to this football club to try to achieve things.”

Two of the talking points revolved around loan players from Premier League clubs.

While Chelsea full back Todd Kane waved away a stretcher to play on after being clattered in a nasty challenge, Manchester City loanee Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was taken off just 16 minutes after he came on.

Robinson said: “I’m here for Oxford United, not Manchester City or anybody else.

“Loan players have to make a difference when they come on. If they don’t like what I’m saying I don’t really care.”

He added: “Todd’s words were ‘I’m not coming off’.

“I said ‘I need you more than ever’ and he went ‘don’t worry about that, I’m here’.

“He’s a loan player that wants to put his body on the line for the football club.”

And although the coach is still waiting for his first win, he said: “I think we’ve been going in the right direction since I walked through the door if you look at the four games.

“It was always going to be nerve-racking, but we are performing better.”