Liam Manning: Oxford United boss says side were left 'hugely frustrated' by loss at Wigan Athletic
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Oxford United head coach Liam Manning says his side can't "carry an emotional hangover" following their Tuesday night loss
Oxford United boss Liam Manning says his side are "hugely frustrated" after their 2-0 loss to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday.
The U's fell behind in the first half and were unable to find an equaliser before substitute Callum Lang put the game out of reach in the 80th minute.
It was Oxford's first League One loss since the beginning of September and only their third of the season.
"You get what you deserve in this league," Manning told BBC Radio Oxford.
"We didn't create enough and we weren't ruthless enough around the penalty box, I think we gave them a couple of soft ones.
"It was a hugely frustrating night."
The gap between second-placed Oxford and League One leaders Portsmouth has now grown to four points.
But Manning is not worried and believes his side have the mental strength to bounce back.
"It all depends how we respond to this," he added, "as we are not going to go all season without losing games.
"We are trying to become adaptable and unpredictable, we empower the players to make decisions and it's our job to coach them to make sure they get more right than wrong.
"It is now about how we respond and I know the group in our dressing room are hungry, driven and ambitious.
"They should be hurting and carrying frustration but we will get back to training this week and work on some things.
"If you carry emotional hangovers and start to feel sorry for yourself in this league you will be in trouble the next game."
Oxford host 10th-placed Wycombe at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.