The Oxford United Chairman, Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth, penned the following notes for the Crewe Alexandra programme:
As many of you know, today should have been an important step back for us with fans allowed back into the ground as a test of the facilities and to show that we could have 1,000 people here safely and following all the current guidelines. Sadly, we cannot do that after a change to the laws and while we fully understand the situation it is a little bit frustrating because all we want is for the fans to be able to come back and support us.
Like all of you, I watch the games at home on iFollow and would never miss a match - it’s the middle of the night for me most times but I still watch every game - but it’s just not the same, and with each game that passes I miss the atmosphere and excitement more and more. It is just a case of staying patient right now. I believe you all know that we will do everything in our power to get you back as soon as the situation allows.
In the meantime, I am sure you were jumping around your living rooms, like me, at the performance at Accrington last Saturday. It was a totally professional performance and to win 4-1 away is a great achievement. We created plenty more chances but that would just be greedy; a first league win and we now have the chance to follow it up with another good display against Crewe. You will have noticed the team looking very smart in our new white third kit on Saturday. We have produced a limited amount, so get yours now before they sell out.
That’s not going to happen automatically. The players will have to be just as switched on if they want to make it back to back wins, but I think things are starting to settle down. There were a lot of new faces over the summer and that takes time for everyone to settle. It has not been helped by a terrible injury list which has made it very hard to field the same team twice in a row; today might even be the first time it happens this season.
I speak to Karl and the staff a lot and the one thing you find is a calmness. We lost the first two league games but nobody panics and they have complete confidence in each other and the players around them. That’s something very special: that togetherness and quiet confidence among this group and a firm belief that they have the right building blocks in place for a successful season.
Those first two games were a setback, but nothing more. There are some very good sides who haven’t won yet this season, but we know they will do so. All we can do is keep going, keep trusting in what we are doing to build the whole club, and once the table starts to settle down and become meaningful, then I know we will once again be in contention.
Enjoy the game, wherever you are.
Tiger
Read the full programme at www.matchdayfix.com/oufc