This is Oxford United boss Des Buckingham's latest column written exclusively for the Oxford Mail.

It’s Burton at home today and a chance for us to continue our really good home form.

The team have only lost once at home in the league this season and with three games at the Kassam Stadium in the next four matches we have a chance to give our fans something to smile about over the Christmas period.

Those supporters were absolutely amazing on Thursday night at Reading where they gave us an unbelievable welcome and great support.

The biggest regret is that we didn’t give them the win they so desperately deserved.

We got our noses in front when Ciaron Brown scored the first goal but sadly four minutes later Reading equalised and that took the wind out of everyone’s sails.

We did get on the front foot again after the break but couldn’t find the winning goal.

It was certainly an improvement after a disappointing 90 minutes at Peterborough: they looked a very good side that day while we were below our best.

Whatever the result you never stop learning and days like that can sometimes just reinforce one or two things and allow you to see more clearly what needs to be done.

We have won two, drawn two and lost two of the last six but the one frustration has been not to get that first league win out of the way.

On Tuesday we were missing Sam Long, Stephan Negru and Greg Leigh in defence and Kyle Edwards, Marcus Browne and Ruben Rodrigues in attack, with Billy Bodin nursing a knock and not able to play a full part in the game. 

That injury list would hurt any team in this division but the lads who have come in deserve massive credit for keeping things heading in the right direction and making sure that as we head into the Christmas period we are still challenging on three fronts.

We have worked hard all week, all season, and today is a wonderful chance to turn all of that into three points to start the Christmas games in the best possible way.

If you are coming along to today’s game then come a little early because there are all sorts of Christmas activities going on around the ground before kick off, including carol singers, a reindeer, a Christmas market and a teddy bear donation point for Helen & Douglas House.

I’ve got about five or six teddies to put in that box myself because Helen & Douglas House does amazing work across Oxfordshire.

There are some amazing families who are going to need their help this Christmas so we are proud to be able to help them this afternoon. If you can help then please do so today.