HERE we are, the time has come. Just 12 weeks since that glorious afternoon at Wembley, Oxford United are back in action.

Everyone knows the story by now. The U’s are set to embark on their first game in the second tier for more than a quarter of a century.

It’s been a long time coming, but finally, United are a Sky Bet Championship team.

And it’s time to beat the odds.

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A casual look at the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation, or the views of podcasters, YouTubers, and rival fans, will show the U’s are being nailed on to go straight back down.

That noise though will fuel the players, and must be used in a positive way by the United fanbase.

Of course, there are reasons why the U’s are not being fancied in the Championship, and it’s part and parcel of being a newly promoted team.

Add in to the mix a squad without masses and masses of Championship experience, the significant amount of time spent away from this level, and the current somewhat alarming lack of proven support for Mark Harris up front.

Experience though will come with playing games, while the additions of Will Vaulks and Matt Phillips in particular provide plenty of Championship know-how.

United remain in the hunt for a striker, such a key area at this level. A good goalscorer can be the difference between survival and relegation. Just look at what Sammie Szmodics did for Blackburn Rovers last season.

On the basis that the brilliant Ed Waldron, and wider recruitment team, will source that all-important centre forward, then I’m optimistic the U’s will rock the boat.

There is a strong spine to the team, and what 11 signings have done, is enable really healthy competition for places.

Many of the longer-term members of the squad will relish this step up. The likes of skipper Elliott Moore and his centre back partner Ciaron Brown, midfielders Cameron Brannagan, Tyler Goodrham and Ruben Rodrigues, and centre forward Harris.

What United also have is a head coach who has a fantastic understanding and reading of the game. Des Buckingham has his way of playing, but he’s also tactically astute enough to make tweaks for certain moments. Just look at the play-off final.

It won’t be easy though, far from it. There’ll be tough runs, tough games and most likely, the odd tough result to swallow.

During those times, the U’s will need the togetherness between supporters and team that was on show in the final months of last season.

It’s time to beat the odds, and ruffle some feathers. Starting with the Canaries.