JUST like fish and chips, Batman and Robin, and a host of other famous pairings, Oxford United and injuries have been inseparable this season.

The U’s have suffered fitness woes right through the side, with the likes of Elliott Moore, Sam Long and Matty Taylor all spending time on the sidelines.

Some injuries have been unavoidable and unfortunate – think Kyle Joseph.

However, the fitness of others has been a contentious talking point among United supporters.

Head coach Karl Robinson has addressed whether Alex Gorrin and Sam Baldock should’ve been awarded new contracts.

The response was emphatic – these were players the club needed through the door.

READ ALSO: Karl Robinson has no regrets over deals for Sam Baldock and Alex Gorrin

In hindsight, a very strong argument can be made that neither have played their part in getting those deals.

Yet the club can only make decisions based on what they know at the time.

Prior to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Gorrin was United’s go-to man in the holding midfield role, while Baldock fired four goals in seven games last season.

It looks as though the risk to give the pair new deals has backfired – for now.

But how many times does a player return to form and fitness towards the end of a season, and make a vital contribution?

That possibility shouldn’t be ruled out with both Gorrin and Baldock.

If the U’s are indeed to push for a play-off place, then games in the last few weeks are going to be edgy and solidity in the midfield will be needed. Enter Gorrin.

Those matches will also require a clinical striker who can grab goals from nothing.

Just look at the impact Baldock made last season.

Fan frustration is understandable when it comes to fitness and injuries, however the time to judge United on decisions such as contracts and signings should be the end of the season.