OXFORD United’s Easter victories with ten men prompted boss Karl Robinson to end a four-month wait to respond to criticism of his side’s preparation.

The six points gained against Charlton Athletic and Shrewsbury Town came despite playing a man light for 90 of the 180 minutes.

Robinson felt it showed just how good a job his sports science staff were doing.

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Their methods had been questioned on New Year’s Day, when Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams thought United’s session in the swimming pool on the eve of their clash gave his side the upper hand.

He felt such a ploy left players ‘dehydrated’ and ‘jaded’.

The Pilgrims won the game 3-0, but are now only one point above the relegation zone – nine places below United.

Robinson kept his counsel publicly at the time, but has now hit back.

He said: “A manager said on the first day of this year that Oxford United don’t prepare right and we looked fatigued because we go in the pool.

“It’s something that really annoyed me.

“I’ve not said anything all season, but I think our sports science team is one of the best.

“We have thousands of games of experience in this building to get players fit and cope when we have ten men.

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“We were in the pool at the weekend. Did we look dehydrated and fatigued (at Shrewsbury)?

“They were the words that got used. I don’t think I’ve ever criticised another club for their preparation.

“We prepared very well, in a swimming pool, getting ourselves ready and raring to go for another game.

“For us to play with ten men for 90 minutes in two games over three days and we outran the opposition in both and win both, I think our preparation has been one of the best.”