AFTER a nine-month slog the end of the football season is normally welcome, but Karl Robinson admits he is not the only one at Oxford United who wishes there was more to come.

A campaign which for a long time was endured has been one to enjoy in recent weeks.

It finishes with an echo of last season – a trip to a side who have already secured promotion.

Unlike Blackburn Rovers 12 months ago, tomorrow’s hosts Luton Town are in the box seats to lift the Sky Bet League One title.

United will fancy their chances of being awkward party guests, though, with an unbeaten run which would reach double figures if they can avoid defeat.

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And there is nothing like winning games to put off thoughts of heading to the beach.

Robinson said: “I had meetings with the players on Wednesday and there are some very motivated people.

“Some don’t want the season to finish just yet, which for the first time in a long time that’s how I feel.

“Normally when you get to this time of year you can’t wait for your holiday, but now I really wish there were four or five games to go because I feel against anybody we can be ultra-competitive.”

The excellent run has taken United to 60 points, which is the target Robinson set his struggling side several weeks ago.

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It was a closely-guarded secret, for one main reason.

“That was our target,” the U’s boss said. “Even though it seemed so far-fetched and people would have laughed at me at that time.”

It has put a different gloss on the season, but there is a reluctance to forget what went before.

And the identity of tomorrow’s opponents should send a chill down the spine.

In October, Luton were a mid-table side when they came to the Kassam Stadium and won 2-1 in stoppage-time to inflict an eighth defeat in the first 11 games.

Robinson said: “I’m still a little bit embarrassed by some of the things that have happened and the results.

“I have to take responsibility for that and it’s my fault.

“But I think we’ve worked very hard to put ourselves in a more competitive position moving forward.

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“I hope now the players remember what it was like at the beginning of the year and we can use that as a motivation.

“We’ve stood up to so many different things that people have thrown at us.

“We’ve taken it like men and haven’t shirked responsibility.

“I’m really proud of my players and I want to thank them publicly.”