IT IS a measure of the progress Oxford United have made in recent months that barely a week goes by without some milestone coming into view.
Last weekend the huge away following to MK Dons had statisticians attempting, in vain, to work out the last time United had been backed by so many for a league game on the road.
Tomorrow, the focus reverts to their home form, where records are thankfully easier to fathom.
Victory against Charlton Athletic would be a fourth in a row at the Kassam Stadium in all competitions, something they have not achieved since November 2009.
A haul of 13 points would also be the best return from the opening five home games in the Football League for 13 years.
Given the struggle United have had to string results together on their own turf in recent seasons, it is very welcome for assistant head coach Derek Fazackerley.
“Winning away is good, but the people who pay your wages are your home fans,” he said.
“They’re the ones you’ve got to first and foremost try and please and get results for because that keeps them coming back.”
Pinning down exactly why the Kassam, which most recently hosted a derby victory, has suddenly become a fortress is harder to determine.
Fazackerley said: “It’s difficult to say.
“You get one or two games early which you think give you an opportunity to get results and then you build up momentum.
“There’s a better atmosphere around the stadium, there’s absolutely no doubt about that.
“I’d say the spectators are anticipating a victory and that makes a big difference to us.
“All those little things give the players confidence to go out and produce results.
“That’s what we’re in the business to do.”
Following the full house against Swindon, a crowd of around 8,500 is predicted for tomorrow.
Charlton have sold their 1,500-strong allocation and having two vocal sets of fans is another boost compared to the prevailing mood in League Two.
Fazackerley said: “In fairness, it inspires both teams.
“It inspired us last week at MK Dons taking 4,000 people there, which was absolutely fantastic.
“From a motivation point of view, in terms of our job as coaches, it’s a lot easier because the game almost looks after itself.
“We don’t have to spend much time motivating the players whereas – without being disrespectful to some teams that came last season with 100 people – there’s a void in the stadium.
“This season there won’t be for many games, which is a sign of the progress the club’s made.”
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