KARL Robinson demanded clearer heads from his Oxford United players in adversity after they went down 2-1 at home to Coventry City.

The U’s were unable to replicate the performance level which had seen them win three of their last four games.

A deflected shot from Jordan Shipley in the 64th minute broke the deadlock in a poor contest, while a mistake from goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell conceded a penalty from which Conor Chaplin struck what proved to be the winner.

Jon Obika pulled a goal back late on, but despite a rousing finish United ended up empty-handed.

Robinson said: “I just felt emotionally we struggled with the game. It’s not acceptable.

“It seems to me at the moment that when we play well we’re good and when a team gets in our face we don’t really want to be there.”

The U’s boss watched the game from the top of the South Stand as he completed a two-game touchline ban.

And the different view left him exasperated at times.

He said: “It’s colder up there from an emotional point of view.

“I was pulling my hair out because I was seeing players do things that we’ve never worked on.

“I’ve never told my goalkeeper to kick it when we’re open and expansive.

“I’ve never told a centre back when you get beyond someone that you come back. You go forward.

“This is the opposite of what we’re saying, because we’re in an emotional place.

“Then we have a free-kick. Cameron (Brannagan) got slaughtered by the fans, but he put a great ball in and my two best headers of the ball are outside the box. Why?

“Get yourself in the middle and go and score a goal. We’ve got to do better.”

Robinson bemoaned a lack of options to make an impact off the bench, as in addition to the squad’s injury list they were also depleted by Gavin Whyte’s international call.

The U’s boss was unhappy to see the winger kicking his heels as an unused substitute with Northern Ireland.

But he will be taking a closer look at Nicky Maynard, who has been training with the squad, today.

The 31-year-old former Bristol City striker due to play for the under 23s in a behind-closed-doors friendly away to Peterborough United, where Robinson is keen to get an idea of his fitness levels.

“We’ll see,” he said. “He’s been excellent in training.”