KARL Robinson hasn’t given up on Oxford United’s play-off push and hopes his side can use the remaining festive period to climb the table.

United are 15th in Sky Bet League One, nine points outside the play-off places.

Despite a slow first half of the season, Robinson remains confident his team is still in the race for a top six spot.

The U’s were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at Ipswich Town on Boxing Day, but have the opportunity to put that result immediately behind them with home fixtures against Charlton Athletic and Exeter City within the next four days.

“This time of year is generally a blur every year just because you play so many games,” said Robinson.

“For us, we would never want to lose this period from our industry, it’s one of the best.

“We’re institutionalised in it now so it’s not something that we look on as a chore, it’s a privilege.

“Pressure is a privilege we take into these games against Charlton and Exeter, we’ve just got to make sure that we enjoy it and perform properly.

“We still believe in ourselves and we’ve just got to make sure we start putting points on the board, and our performances need to start reflecting the points.

“We still feel like we’re in this and we’re not going to stop until it’s mathematically impossible.”

First up for United is a clash tonight against Robinson’s former club Charlton.

Despite sitting two places below his side, Robinson was impressed by teenage duo Daniel Kanu and Miles Leaburn in the Addicks’ 1-1 draw at home to Peterborough United on Boxing Day.

The match was Dean Holden’s first in charge after replacing Ben Garner earlier this month.

Robinson said: “They’ve got good players. As everybody knows, there’s not many bad teams in the league this year.

“I really like the two young lads up front, they give them tremendous energy and a bit of bite as well.

“We know at the back, they can be strong and there’s some strong characters in there.

“We know everything about them, they’re a very good team.

“We feel that it’s a game we should be looking forward to and we’ll prepare to the best of our abilities.”

The U’s boast a strong record in recent years against Charlton, losing just once in 11 league games over the last six years.

Robinson said: “We’ve always had half decent results against them but it’s a different team with a different manager.

“We’ve got to make sure we take this game in itself, we can’t look at a history of games.”

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On the Boxing Day loss at Ipswich, Robinson said: “It wasn’t just a defeat, it was the manner of the defeat, especially in the second half.

“This one left a little bit of anger with some of the players because of their own personal performances, so I’m looking forward to this game and I’m sure it’s something the players will get the bit between their teeth.

“It’s not just about us managing them, it’s about them managing each other as well.

“I think they were really open and transparent with their performances, and some of the little things that needed ironing out.”