Oxford United boss in not so secret spying trip

OXFORD United head coach Karl Robinson is such good mates with Ryan Lowe that he even told the Plymouth Argyle manager when he was carrying out a scouting mission on the Pilgrims.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

The U’s did not have a game last Saturday so Robinson took the opportunity to watch the Pilgrims beat Burton Albion 2-1 at Home Park and go top of the League One table.

Robinson was the boss of MK Dons when Lowe spent a season there as a player in 2012/13 and the two Liverpudlians are firm friends.

So they caught up for a coffee in Plymouth last Friday, before Lowe attended a 25-year anniversary of Neil Warnock’s promotion-winning Argyle squad that evening

Lowe said: “In fairness to Karl and Oxford, they are a very good team. They have shown that over the past few years, they have got some fantastic players.

“I know Karl was down here. I went and saw him on Friday and had a coffee with him. We are mates but, ultimately, we are looking to get points off each other.

“He will have known the way we have been playing. I know the way they have been playing. They are a very attacking team, possession based, like to get the ball forward.

“Who does that remind you of? A little bit similar to us. I’m thinking it’s going to be an entertaining game and it’s one we are going there full of confidence.

“They have had a bit of a rest because they had an international break, we didn’t. Sometimes that can do you a favour or not.