THE fierce competition in Sky Bet League One is raising standards higher than ever, says Karl Robinson.

Oxford United are locked in an intense promotion race as they head into the last eight games of the season, where they face several of their rivals at the top.

The U’s sit fourth in the table on 68 points, but they are by no means guaranteed a play-off finish with a number of teams breathing down their neck.

Ninth-placed Ipswich Town are one of those clubs and the Tractor Boys need a positive result when they visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

READ MORE: How free-scoring Oxford United compare to teams of the past

Kieran McKenna’s side have 60 points, normally a very strong total at this stage of the campaign, and Robinson believes the promotion contenders are driving each other to greater heights.

United’s head coach said: “I certainly think that with the level of competition, we’ve all had to think better.

“We’ve all had to be more athletic, and tactically more astute and diverse in how we approach the game.

“We’ve changed a lot and managed games better.

“All of the questions of this team in the last three or four years, I almost think we’ve answered all of them this year.”

The last time League One’s sixth-placed side ended the season on more than 74 points was 2009/10, when Huddersfield Town racked up 80 – although Southampton, in seventh, only reached 73.

This season’s table is more likely to resemble 2002/03, though.

That year, Tranmere Rovers missed out on 80 points, with Cardiff City pipping them to sixth place with 81.

Oxford Mail:

The top eight in Division Two (now Sky Bet League One) in 2002/03

Based on points per game, the same total will be needed this term, with Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers outside the play-offs on 65.

Robinson has repeatedly said that United will only focus on their own target for each five-match block.

READ MORE: Alex Gorrin steps up recovery from ACL injury

And the U’s boss insists Saturday’s game is about boosting their own play-off chances, rather than damaging those of Ipswich.

He said: “With all due respect to everybody else, it’s not about us keeping other teams at arm’s length.

“It’s about us accumulating enough points on our personal target.

“The one thing that experience does give me is I don’t worry about anyone else.

“I do when we’re playing them, all eyes are focused on them and every game will be watched in detail, ripped apart and put back together with a game plan.

“I don’t think many managers worry too much about ruining other teams’ seasons – that’s the last thing that we ever want to do, that’s not my personality.

“We’re paid to win that game, but they’ve got 44 games to achieve what they need. That’s been our mentality all season.”

Oxford Mail:

The top ten in Sky Bet League One