We look forward to the season opener
United kick off the new npower League 2 season at Bristol Rovers this Saturday. Here we have a full preview of the U's first game of the campaign.
Team News
United have no new knocks and strains after Tuesday.
Striker Jon-Paul Pittman remains a doubt with a stomach strain but United have now received international clearance for Welsh defender Alex Evans who comes straight into the squad, with youth team captain Sam Long likely to travel with the under 18 squad for their game at Plymouth on Saturday morning. (An 11am kick-off means an early start for Chris Allen's youngsters!)
Tom Craddock impressed as a sub and could be pressing for a starting place while both Ryan Clarke and Sean Rigg return to the hometown club where they started their careers.
See Chris Wilder and an in-depth video interview with Ryan Clarke in Yellow Player.
The Opposition
Rovers are widely tipped to challenge this season under experienced boss Mark McGhee. The former Leicester, Wolves and Reading boss guided the Pirates away from trouble last season and is expected to build on that progress this year. He told Rovers official site that he will be looking for his side to get off to a positive start:
“We are at home, we have got to step on to people and be determined to try and score goals. A good start is beneficial but it is a long season and with 46 games it does give you time. We might not have the full squad so we cannot worry too much about that, we have to do the best we can and see where it takes us.
"(Oxford) were challenging for promotion last year, so I see no reason why they won't be again. They can be a threat to anyone in this division. We don’t think we are established enough to take anyone lightly or think we are going to be better than anyone. We have got to prove it and earn it and we will be expecting the best possible performance from Oxford and we need to be at our best.”
Rovers came through Tuesday night's Capital One Cup game against Ipswich without any further injury problems, but are without long term injuries Scott Bevan and Danny Woodards, as well as Garry Kenneth and Shaquille Hunter.
Tickets
We still have away terrace tickets available for this Saturday Please note that this game is ALL TICKET and prices are as follows:
Adults £18.00
O65/Students £11.00
U16 £10.00
Supporters are advised that tickets will be on sale (for collection only and subject to availability) from the ticket office until 4.00pm on Friday afternoon. Telephone bookings can be taken by calling 01865 337533.
Any tickets that have not been collected by 5.30pm on Friday afternoon will be available to collect from the away turnstiles at The Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Travel Details
Travel
By car (85 miles from Oxford): Whether you're coming from east or west, exit the M4 at
junction 19 and join the M32. Travel along the M32 for 3.1 miles until you reach junction 2.
Here, exit the motorway and take the third exit signposted Horfield and Southmead and follow the road through a division and a roundabout, both of which have clear signs reading "The Memorial Stadium". Once through this area you join Muller Road and you should continue to drive along it for 1.4 miles until you come to signal-controlled crossroads. Signposted right is Horfield Health Centre and Library. At this junction ignore the sign and turn left into Filton Avenue where the ground is located almost immediately on the left.
Travel details supplied by www.bristolrovers.co.uk
By train: There are regular services from Oxford
to Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway
(journey time approx 1.5hours). Please go to
www.nationalrail.co.uk for further details
LONDON ROAD TRAVEL CLUB:
Supporters who have
purchased tickets for this fixture can book seats
with the official travel club.
Prices for this match are:
Adult Member £13.00
U16 Member £11.00
Adult Non-Member £15.00
U16 Non-Member £13.00
Seasonal memberships are now available at
the following prices:
Season Ticket Holder £3.00
Adult Non-Season Ticket Holder £8.00
Under 16 Non-Season Ticket Holder £5.00
Follow the Game
If you can't be with us then try out Yellow Player where we have commentary on the whole game live, plus video interviews with all the key men and match highlights for you to see.
Yellow Player is the ONLY place that you can hear the game online; join us for all the action.
www.oufc.co.uk is the perfect place to follow all the action. The official website will have:
- Full team news
- Read a full match report the very second the final whistle blows
- See a full gallery of first half action during the second half, then the whole game in pictures soon after the final whistle
- Hear the manager and key players give their reactions in Yellow Player
Or if you can't be by a pc follow @OUFClive on Twitter for all the action wherever you are