Sheffield Wednesday rival boss on how League One has become a 'graveyard of ex-Premier League teams' with Sunderland, Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers and others battling it out
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Oxford United boss Karl Robinson whose side will be aiming for promotion having sneaked into the playoffs last time out, has spoken about the rising financial tide in the third tier despite the coronavirus crisis.
The 40-year-old former Charlton boss, who has former Owls forward Sam Winnall among his charges, said his side were going to up their spending to compete again this season.
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Hide Ad“We’re going to spend more money next season,” Robinson told BBC Radio Oxford.
“We have a transfer pot available which is brilliant, but we’re probably going to be in the same position in the [spending] league.
“We’re having to spend to stay anywhere near. There are teams in our league offering £10,000 a week for defenders and you’re thinking ‘this is ludicrous, where this league is going’.
“We can’t get anywhere near this.”
Robinson also commented on the make-up of the division heading into the new campaign, which is scheduled to start on August 7.
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Hide AdA raft of big clubs are in League One this time out. The tally of seven former Premier League sides has been beaten only twice since the league’s rebranding way back in 2004.
Robinson also backed Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri to splash some cash when circumstances allow.
“Where do I start? Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich, Sunderland, Bolton have just gone up,” He said.
“It's a graveyard of ex-Premier League teams. I said at the start of the season: ‘We need to get out of this league this year, it is getting tougher and tougher’.
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Hide Ad“We haven't even spoken about Wigan. Wigan will spend money, Ipswich will spend money, Sunderland will spend money, Sheffield Wednesday is owned by a wealthy guy who'll want to get back on the saddle again.
“Portsmouth, owned by the Eisners, I don't know if they will spend that kind of money. But, again, big club and I'm sure I've missed another big boy.
“Lincoln will go again, I haven't even mentioned Oxford. There are a lot of big clubs and that's the way it goes.”