WHEN it comes to looking ahead to 2017 on the field, the biggest challenge facing Oxford United is how on earth you can follow-up 2016.

As far as problems go, it is not a bad one for Darryl Eales to ponder after a 12 months where potential turned into success.

They head into the new year again in two cup competitions and if the league form has yet to really take off, the gap between United and the playoff places is half their advantage over the bottom four.

For Eales, a born optimist, it represents a clear opportunity.

“On the pitch the challenge is having a good second half of the season, a good transfer window and trying our best to put ourselves in a position to get into the play-offs,” he said.

“I think we’ve got every chance.

“If anything I think our performances are better than our league position.

“That augurs well for the second half of the season.”

For someone who is constantly attempting to plan 18 months into the future, it means Eales is contemplating a very big goal.

He said: “It’s about planning for different scenarios – one of them might be the Championship.

“Let’s not get carried away, we’re a long way from that, but I look at our squad compared to most other teams and I’d be disappointed if we don’t finish in the top ten.

“We’ve also got a young squad that I think will improve as the season continues.

“They will get more confident as a unit.”

The end of the calendar year was also a rare opportunity to reflect on what had been achieved in the previous 12 months.

Highlights came so thick and fast, especially in the first half of 2016, it was easy to get blasé about what Michael Appleton’s side produced.

Picking out his favourite feats proved a challenge for Eales but, when pushed, the United chief selected two stand-out memories.

He said: “There have been so many highlights, but one stand-out moment was Carlisle away (a 2-0 win in April).

“That was unbelievable and it was fantastic to see almost 2,500 people on a day trip 300 miles away.

“The way we finished those last three games was pure class, we won them comfortably.

“Another major highlight for me was seeing the crowd run on to the pitch after the Wycombe game to seal our promotion.

“I’m probably not allowed to say that, but that must be any chairman’s biggest moment to see thousands of fans running on to the pitch in pure celebration.

“It epitomises success and togetherness. It’s a highlight among many.”

Frustrations have surfaced in recent weeks over the lack of progress made with ownership of the Kassam Stadium during Eales’s two-and-a-halfyear tenure.

But when it comes to the on-field events, it is a different matter.

“Part of the joy for me of owning the club is being a supporter,” he said.

“I think the day you lose that is the day you should pack it in.

“The other highlight for me is the togetherness of the fans and the players. I think that is essential.

“It’s the foundation of what we’ve put in place that the relationship between fans, players and staff is very close and we’re all on the same side.

“You’re not going to get everyone buying into that, but for me the vast majority of our fans have completely bought into what we’re trying to do.”