KARL Robinson will arrive at Oakwell tomorrow with good reason to be happy with Oxford United’s progress – but there is one day this summer which did not go to plan.

When the fixtures were released in June, it was quickly clear the U’s new-look side would not be given a chance to ease their way into the Sky Bet League One campaign.

Barnsley, Portsmouth and Sunderland – the top three in the betting for promotion – are their first away opponents.

Burton Albion’s visit to the Kassam Stadium means they will play all three sides who have come down from the Championship in the first four weeks, along with League Two champions Accrington Stanley.

“The first month is as hard as I’ve ever had,” Robinson said.

“There’s Barnsley, Portsmouth and Sunderland away and then you look at the likes of Fleetwood signing Dean Marney, so our first home game will be difficult as well.

“It shows you how difficult the league season is going to be, but it won’t be won at the beginning. It’s a marathon.”

Robinson could hand out up to half a dozen competitive debuts at Barnsley, who by contrast have signed just one player all summer.

It means the U’s boss will call for his players to dig deep while the side gels.

He said: “You’re going to have to be patient with our team.

“Regardless of the result at the weekend, the first month we have to fight and scrap.

“Once we settle down I can’t see many teams being able to cope with the players we’ve brought in.”

Robinson, though, does have a knack of starting seasons quickly.

The lowest haul one of his sides have taken from the opening four games is six points, while the record on the opening day reads W6 D2 L0 ­– although it has not always been plain sailing.

He said: “Last year (at Charlton) we were planning all summer to play Bristol Rovers and we had a man sent off after six minutes.

“We ended up winning that game, but no seasons past should have any reflection on the present. This is a new team full of excitement.”

It is hoped that anticipation filters through to the terraces, with a sizeable turnout expected from the Yellow Army in their first visit to Oakwell in two decades.

And Robinson is committed to forging ever-closer bonds between the squad and their supporters.

He said: “We’re a unified group and we want to link the fans with us.

“That makes us a very strong outfit. If we don’t have the fans we’re nowhere near as good.

“I’ll speak to people, I’ll go to events, whatever it takes to get things done.

“It’s important we have everyone following us and fighting in the right direction.”