On This Day - 26/03/07

It is with perhaps a sad irony that our 'On This Day' feature returns to recall that famous clash with Dagenham & Redbridge from our first season in the Conference. Dagenham, currently rooted to the bottom of the League Two table (at the time of writing before the weekend's fixtures), appear to be heading for their second successive relegation on their way back to the Conference. They have spent five years in the Football League, winning a shock promotion at Wembley over Rotherham United to earn themselves a place in League One, alongside the likes of Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday, before tumbling back down the ladder with a nosebleed.

What the Stats Say...Wimbledon

The games are coming thick and fast now, with AFC Wimbledon the next visitors to Grenoble Road. Will Jack Midson return to take revenge for being released in the summer, or will he be contained as easily as on Boxing Day? Here is Matt Peck to examine the stats between the two sides.

What the Stats Say...Rotherham

A major test for Oxford this week, with Andy Scott's Rotherham United visiting the Kassam Stadium, looking to peg the Yellows back in the race for the playoffs. It's another important fixture for Oxford, as we enter the final stages of the season. Matt Peck gives us the lowdown on a fixture that could turn out to be pivotal to our season. Don't forget, this is also the Game for Charlotte, raising money for Special Effect and 4-year-old Charlotte Nott by auctioning off special edition matchworn shirts. The bidding has now begun, so please give generously, it's for a very good cause!

Scott and Patto: A Spectre of Past Failures

There will be some familiar faces in the away dugout this weekend, with Rotherham United the opponents. Managed by Andy Scott, with Darren Patterson as his assistant, Rotherham sit in tenth place – five points behind us in the final playoff position. Between them they spent a combined total of eleven years at Oxford, but it was a miserable period for the club as it decayed under the ownership of Firoz Kassam, eventually wallowing in the Conference.

What the Stats Say...Bradford

Oxford make the trip up to Valley Parade this weekend for the first time since last season’s drubbing. Fortunately we go there in good form, though Bradford will also be a stronger proposition than they were when they visited the Kassam back in August, when they claimed a 1-1 draw. Here’s Matt Peck with the stats.

Is Fitness a Problem for Oxford United?

Having been forced to play for 90 minutes with only ten men against the league leaders on Saturday, we could have forgiven the players for being a bit leggy for Tuesday's clash with Shrewsbury. With a makeshift squad flagging after Saturday's battle, to earn a point at the New Meadow should be viewed as an impressive result. That it felt like a defeat in the end belies the fact that a week ago we would have been delighted with four points from the last two matches. But after surrendering a two-goal lead in a game where we faded badly towards the end, it does provide us with an opportunity to discuss a problem that has dogged our season: fitness.

View from the Sofa: The A420 Derby

Saturday's derby victory over Swindon was a glorious moment for Oxford fans - a day to remember for everyone who was there to witness the first time we've secured the double over our rivals in 38 years. However, spare a thought for those exiled supporters who were unable to make it to the Kassam, resigned to listening in on the radio or following the match over the internet. Jack Shoemark, exiled up in Yorkshire, relives the high and lows of the day from his sofa in Hull.

What the Stats Say...Swindon

It's 'the big one' this weekend, with the visit of Swindon Town to the Kassam and it couldn't have come at a worse time. While United have been grinding through tight games against lowly opposition, Swindon have been sweeping all before them and are currently on a record-breaking run of 10 victories on the bounce. Matt Peck brings us the stats and, I have to say, it looks ominous...