Welcome to everyone to today's game against Wimbledon. Last Saturday saw us take all three points in a highly entertaining game at Peterborough and ending a three-match losing run.
As I have said in previous notes, the measure of a team and a culture is always tested more in adversity than in success. The grounded but realistic appraisal of performances over the recent disappointing run of results provided huge confidence that we have a great team, embracing manager, coaching team and players, who stick together through a difficult run and work even harder to put things right, while never losing sight of or confidence in achieving the bigger picture.
The culture is excellent and across the club, the ‘win together, lose together’ attitude is as strong as ever.
We all experience disappointment when the team loses, none more so than Pep and the players.
Fans play a crucial role when the team is on a 'challenging' run of form and the support, especially away from home, has been fantastic. This resonates hugely with the players and makes a huge difference. The scenes at the end of the Peterborough game were truly uplifting!
The season is now in full flow and the table is beginning to take shape. I think everyone is a little surprised by Shrewsbury's remarkable start to the season and Paul Hurst and his team richly deserve the plaudits they are receiving.
For me, the division as a whole looks very competitive and very open.
Pep is developing a progressive and attacking style and the quality of our football has drawn positive comments from most opponents. I do believe this means we should be confident that the team will continue to improve and we should build positively on a solid start to the campaign.
Our next two games are against Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers, both of whom beat us twice last season, and demonstrating that every game in this division is highly competitive with many turning on a mistake, a moment of magic or a refereeing decision. Let's hope we get our fair share of good fortune too!
In closing, I would also like to mention Oxford United Women, who have won their first two league games and sit proudly at the top of Women's Super League 2. Congratulations to all and I would encourage as many fans as possible to take in a game at Court Place Farm. The next home game is tomorrow, on Sunday 8th October against Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Enjoy the game today and COYYs
Darryl
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