I don’t think I’ve ever had a run of so many away games in a row and there are still two important cup matches before we return to the Kassam Stadium.

Today we head for Walsall in the FA Cup and I have a lot of good memories of the place: I made my managerial debut there for MK Dons and always enjoy going back.

There are some good memories for the Oxford fans as well, because last season we had a pivotal game there with both teams struggling at the wrong end of the table.

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It was an amazing afternoon: Marcus Browne was sent off but we took the game to them and when Jerome Sinclair scored our third goal there were tremendous scenes in the away end.

I remember walking towards the fans and applauding them because you could almost sense the relief.

That game somehow released all the pressure we had been under and we went on an amazing run of form.

Sadly, Walsall went the other way and are now a division below, but I am sure they will use the memory of that day as ammunition to motivate them in what should be a really good cup tie.

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On Wednesday we go to Exeter in the Leasing.com Trophy and then, finally, we get to play at home again.

It’s been fascinating for me to see the club pushing for three crowds of 10,000 over Christmas, but I’d like to use this opportunity to appeal to fans to make next Saturday’s home game against Shrewsbury a real occasion too.

We haven’t been at home for so long but are in great form, so if you read this and are wondering what all the fuss is about right now then come along and see for yourself.

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We have had a blank midweek but now the games will start coming thick and fast as we enter the busiest period of the season.

I love this time of year. It’s hard work, but that’s what we thrive on.

If we can get through in the FA Cup then we will be going into December in a good position in the league and still in the running for the two major cup competitions.

That would be fantastic, so if you are travelling with us today then get right behind us and let’s make it a reality.

We were heading out for our weekly first team staff v academy staff game on Thursday when I saw Rob Hall and asked where he was off to.

It turns out he was going to Berinsfield to see a family he had first met at Helen & Douglas House in the summer.

All on his own, without making a fuss, Hally had kept in touch with the family and auctioned a pair of boots to benefit a brave little girl who the hospice has helped.

He was going to give them the money from the auction, plus a pair of gloves added by Simon Eastwood.

But under his arm was the shirt he wore when he scored against Sunderland this season.

Not just any shirt: the one he wore for his first goal back after a year of injury.

It’s a shirt that held great memories and he was handing it over to the family as a gift.

What a fantastic thing to do – I know the Oxford fans love him and little things like that really make a massive difference.

He will hate me telling the story here, but I wanted the fans to know that in this squad we are dealing with some quite extraordinary young men.