MATTY Taylor hopes Oxford United have given themselves the best possible chance of avoiding another poor start to the campaign.

The U’s visit newly-promoted Cambridge United in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One opener, backed by 1,400 fans in a sold-out away end.

United are targeting another promotion challenge after two seasons of play-off disappointment, when their form picked up after beginning the campaign slowly.

Karl Robinson’s side head to Cambridge boasting seven new signings, while Rob Atkinson and Josh Ruffels have been the only high-profile departures to date.

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And Taylor, who has finished top-scorer in the last two campaigns, expects this to stand United in good stead.

The striker said: “You’re well aware of the start in the last two seasons.

“The signings being in earlier helps and we’ve kept the core of the group that has been successful in the last two seasons, without getting over that final hurdle.

“That’s something we’re focusing on and the ultimate goal is to keep improving.

“If I can improve on my performances and everyone else does that then collectively we won’t be too far away.”

United took five points from their opening seven matches of 2019/20, but clicked into gear in September and did not lose for three months.

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They finished fourth on points per game after the season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic, before losing to Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final when football resumed.

That defeat last July, and a turnaround of less than two months between seasons, was seen as part of the reason United’s slump lasted far longer in 2020/21.

The U’s spent the first three months of the campaign in and around the relegation zone and they were still in the bottom four on December 12.

United produced promotion form to shoot up the table and reach the play-offs on the final day, before they were beaten 6-3 on aggregate by Blackpool in the semi-finals.

But Taylor knows last season’s record goes out the window come 3pm on Saturday as the U’s aim to show they can be competitive again.

The 31-year-old said: “Everyone’s more refreshed this time, whereas that (previous) season came too quick.

“It still hurts, that play-off final defeat.

“We probably ran into the best side in the play-offs last season and Blackpool fully deserved their promotion.

“We’ve signed one of their defenders (Jordan Thorniley), so hopefully he adds to us at the back.

“We know we can score more goals, hopefully we can keep tight at the back and if we keep more clean sheets we’ll win more games.

“We’re looking forward to a new season.

“We haven’t earned anything yet, we need to lay down a marker early.”