Gary Waddock gives us his reaction as fixtures are released
The fixtures are out for the season ahead and United will start with a home game for the first time in five years as they welcome Burton Albion to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday August 9th.
The U’s take on last season’s Wembley play-off finalists before three away games in quick succession: Bristol City in the Capital One Cup, Mansfield Town on August 16th and then Morecambe on Tuesday 19th.
Gary Waddock’s side then have two home Saturdays in a row as they take on first Portsmouth on Saturday 23rd August and then Dagenham and Redbridge on August 30th.
“Every club would want to start with a home game” Gary said shortly after the fixtures were released. “Burton did very well last season and playing them first up will be an excellent gauge of where we are and what we can expect over the season. I am sure the fans will be right behind us, especially if it has been such a long time since we had the first game at home, and it should be a really good game.”
Gary will take on his former club Luton Town away on September 27th as they return to the Football League and the U’s are at home on Boxing Day again when they welcome Shrewsbury Town at the start of a Christmas period that also sees an away game at Plymouth on 28th December and a home game against Cheltenham Town on January 3rd.
“Boxing Day should be a big occasion again” Gary told us. “Hopefully there will be a big crowd for that one and now that the fixtures are out I can’t wait for us to get playing again. It's exciting.
"The lads are back in a couple of weeks for pre-season and I am still working very hard to add to the existing squad. There has been progress on that front but we want to make sure we get the right mix and the right characters within the squad. I am talking to players who I believe would add to what we already have here and I am willing to be patient and wait that little bit longer to get it right."
All fixtures are subject to change. Clubs have until 30th June to make initial changes to the fixture list.
Click HERE to view the full Fixture List
Skybet have been remarkably quick with their odds for the opening game: United are 11/8, Burton 13/8 and the draw is 23/10. Take a look HERE