FIRST of all, I would like to thank the Oxford Mail for giving me the chance to let the fans across Oxfordshire know what is happening at the club each week.

We have an excellent relationship with the paper and hopefully there will be huge headlines to celebrate successful times this season and beyond.

We start away at Barnsley this afternoon and I think the first game is always a tricky one for every manager.

You work so hard for four or five weeks and it is easy to get carried away and put all of your focus on that opening game.

What you should really be doing is building a squad and putting the plans in place for the entire campaign rather than one specific game.

We believe we have the infrastructure and the principles in place to sustain a challenge at the top of the table all season.

Hopefully we start well and get our first win today.

But strange things can happen on the opening day where everyone is trying to get their new team to gel first time out.

The players look ready, the staff definitely are, and I know the fans can’t wait to get started now.

We have talked about the bond and togetherness in the dressing room, but one thing I am keen to build and develop is that connection between the players and the supporters.

I will hold my hands up and say that I maybe underestimated just how good the Oxford fans are, but now I am starting to get it.

Home and away we know we can count on amazing support – well over 1,000 of you will make the long trip to south Yorkshire today.

But I also know that when this club went to Wembley it took 30,000 people with it and basically emptied Oxfordshire!

That fanbase is incredible and if we can bring success this season then hopefully many more of that 30,000 will start to come along on a more regular basis.

So let me start this page with a challenge.

This season, Oxford United will play bright, entertaining football and every player will wear that yellow shirt with pride.

They will give it everything, in every game.

In exchange all I ask is for as many fans as possible to come along and see what we are all about.

We play at home to Fleetwood next Saturday.

Come and play your part and be part of a new era for the U’s.

IT’S not just on the pitch that the club is making progress.

Next week we should be able to start using our brand new training ground at Horspath.

I spent a few hours helping this week – we all help each other, that’s the basic principle I insist on at this club.

You would have to ask the team there whether me lifting boxes and getting in their way was a help or hindrance though!

The players have seen it and love it and everyone behind the scenes has worked so hard to get it ready.

To build the whole thing in 12 weeks is a massive task and I would like to thank Richard Blackmore and the entire build team who have been flat out, around the clock this week, to enable us to move in.

It has been a brilliant effort and it is truly appreciated by everyone at the club.