Oxford United get set for new season
They'll play in football's second tier for the first time in 25 years
Oxford United return to the Championship on Saturday as they face Norwich City at the Kassam Stadium.
The long-awaited return to the second tier of English football is finally over for Oxford United, who last played in the Championship 25 years ago.
Oxford will be at home against Norwich at the Kassam Stadium, as their new campaign starts with a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday.
Manager, Des Buckingham said: “We’re going into a space we haven’t been in for 25 years; we’re going into the unknown, but we’ve done as much as we can to be ready for that moment”.
“I’m happy with the pre-season that we’ve had and the place that the players are in. It’s now about going, not only to enjoy what will be an exciting and challenging season, but it’ll be one that we’ll do our best with.”
Oxford’s first match looks to be tough as Norwich will be looking to finish the season with at least the Play-offs in the hope of promotion.
Buckingham said: “We’re not a team that’s going to shy away. I think everyone has us favourites to come back down and being underdog is a tag that we’ve become used to.
“We want to go and enjoy this season, we want to go and put a good account of ourselves across and we’ve done as much as we possibly can since that final whistle went at Wembley to prepare us for what’s to come”.
The U’s are likely to have survival on their mind throughout the season, and Des Buckingham has told us what he feels they can achieve this season.
He said: “We’ve spoken about targets and things but until the first couple of weeks are played, we just want to put a good account of ourselves across and play a certain way.
“I think after a couple of games in the season we will get a gauge as to where we sit in and amongst a new pack.”
Since joining the Championship, the U’s have made 11 signings to the squad, with Malcolm Ebiowei from Crystal Palace being the only loan signing.
Buckingham told us: “It’s about complimenting what we already have as we know we’re going into a higher level of football.
“We’ve done our best with the recruitment to make sure that we capture players that suit the style that we want to play but also the combination of youth, experience and knowledge.”
However, there’s been many players who have stayed at Oxford United from League One and they will be hoping to make their Championship debut.
Buckingham said: “We are at this stage because of so many people who have helped the club get to where we are, and we can’t forget that.
“There will be people that continue that journey on, and we’re delighted with the player’s we’ve been able to retain and take with us.”
Leading out the squad on Saturday will be Captain, Elliot Moore, who has been at the club since 2019.
The match is due to be played in front of a sell-out crowd at the Kassam.
Moore said: “The atmosphere will be immense.
“We know what the fans can do, so it will be very loud and for us as players that’s massively important.”