Oxford United: Championship’s intensity ‘a step up’ from League One

The intensity of the atmosphere at the Kassam Stadium has been nothing short of incredible.

Sold out every week, with each match feeling like a play-off game or a huge cup tie. Supporters have embraced the “teams like Oxford” mantra.

They have seen that they can play their part in helping their side prove to be greater than the sum of their parts against more illustrious and better funded opposition – infuriating those fans who struggle to process defeat against the likes of the U’s.

I can’t overstate how impressive this all is.

The often derided three-sided ground, that was half-built the last time Oxford had a second-tier team, is now tired and the club hopes it is nearer the end of its useful existence.

Yet it has been rocking – a special place since the very late charge to the play-offs, and then promotion, last season.

A sold-out ground still provides average attendances smaller than anyone else in the division.

This again demonstrates how the Championship has changed.

When Oxford were relegated from it in 1999, 11,000-plus crowds would have been higher than eight clubs at that level.

It is just a bigger, better league now and Oxford know they are minnows in it.

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