IT’S good to be back in Oxford today as we take on Oldham Athletic at Grenoble Road.

It has been a while since we had a home game – we’ve travelled to Scunthorpe, Macclesfield and Southend since we hosted Gillingham on November 22, so it will be good to have home advantage on our side this weekend.

It’s an interesting concept, ‘home advantage’.

There are studies that suggest it is becoming less relevant because sides are so much better prepared these days, mentally as well as physically.

However, when I joined the club two years ago I thought there was a sense of edginess about the players when we played at home.

It just didn’t feel as though we were making the most of playing at our own ground.

We have worked hard to turn that around.

There are little things you can do.

We asked the players to choose images to hang by their peg in the dressing room that they would find motivational.

Some chose great quotes, other chose images of their kids, Kemar Roofe chose images of the fans celebrating.

I have known managers work the other way and paint away dressing rooms battleship grey to suck the light out of the room!

Players notice those little things, but the biggest single thing you need to get right is the atmosphere when you walk out of the tunnel.

You need to hear, or sometimes even feel, the crowd as you come out on to the pitch.

It is a feeling I still miss when I come out a minute or two later to take my seat on the bench.

You need fans to be behind you, but also to stay patient when things go against you.

We are lucky to have fans who almost suck the ball towards them when we attack the Oxford Mail Stand and there have been times over the last two seasons when the fans have won us games, I am absolutely sure of it.

Our home form has been good this year again and we have two wins from the last two games here.

Whether it is on a day like today against Oldham or in front of a huge crowd on Boxing Day against Northampton, we want to end the day celebrating with the fans.

When we applaud at the end it’s because we appreciate what you give us.

Hopefully there are great scenes come full time this afternoon.

I WAS chuffed to see that Oxford United had been shortlisted for Team of the Year at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

There are some outstanding teams in the county and they are run by people who are passionate about their sports, and about giving opportunities to the best local players.

It is kind of humbling for us to be thought of in that way.

We are a professional sports team, but I do believe we are part of the wider Oxfordshire community as well.

I’d like to thank the people for nominating us and look forward to the club being represented at what should be a great night for Oxfordshire.