Moore wants strong start from Oxford
Oxford United captain Elliott Moore
- Published
Oxford United captain Elliott Moore believes it is important they start their season strongly against Portsmouth on Saturday because the Championship could be even tougher this time around.
Moore insisted Gary Rowett's side are ready for the physical test that John Mousinho's Pompey always provide.
And he feels that taking points from teams in a similar situation to them could be the key for the U's this season, given the number of big guns who have come up or dropped down to the Championship.
"There are bigger teams in there than last year and it is up to us to make sure we get the points on board," he said.
"But we are prepared, have had a good pre-season and we know what we are capable of and what we need to do."
With Leicester City, Ipswich and Southampton dropping from the Premier League and big spenders Birmingham City arriving with Wrexham from League One, Moore envisages a tougher test even than last season.
Pompey at least provide familiar opposition for their opener, with the two sides having marched in lockstep for 11 of the previous 12 seasons from League Two in 2014 to the second tier last year.
After slipping to a 2-0 defeat in this fixture last season, Moore and his teammates are looking to inflict a first win eight attempts against Mousinho's side.
"We need the squad depth [to compete] and that is now what we have got," said Moore.
"I have been here in the past where we know who the starting XI is each week, but the squad had got a lot better."
Manager Rowett insisted Oxford remain realistic about their place in the division in terms of resources, but maintained they would not lack for fight or organisation this season.
"We are still where we are in terms of budgets. We are a Championship-sized club and we still have to do it in a different sort of way – a slightly more sensible way than a lot of the Championship do," said Rowett.
"But we are certainly looking to get off to a good start. The emphasis is on us to make the running."
