THE location of Oxford United’s pre-match press conferences in the past week shows this is not a normal start to the season.

Karl Robinson previewed tomorrow’s visit to Portsmouth from Thame United.

Last Thursday they were at Bisham Abbey and on Monday the squad were at their new training ground near Horspath – although the session was held elsewhere.

Progress at their new base has been rapid in the last few weeks, but United will continue to live a nomadic existence until the pitches are ready for use, although the end is within sight.

For Robinson it mirrors the situation with his squad – the ingredients are all there, it is just taking time to bring everything together.

“Behind the scenes things aren’t right, we know that – the stadium, the training ground, a new ownership coming in,” he said

“Everything’s in a mixer bowl at the moment. You don’t realise how big we can be, but we’ve got to get over this period.”

He added: “We had our staff meeting in Thame’s Costa at 8am.

“You don’t need to come and scout us any more, just find the nearest coffee shop to where we’re training and you’ll find out our team!

“The future’s really bright and exciting, so for as much as this might sound shambolic, there will be teams who will be like this quite a lot of the time.

“We’re going to the best training ground in the league.

"Richard Blackmore and his team are doing an amazing job building it, so I don’t mind putting up with it now because I know what’s round the corner.”

In the short-term, the training issue is presenting a challenge.

He said: “It’s silly things like we can’t do double sessions to practise set-pieces because we’ve got nowhere to go.

“But we’re only going to improve and that’s the exciting bit.”

There is no doubt once it is fully operational, the training ground will be a huge asset for United.

And Robinson has made his mark, poring over plans and making changes he believes will improve the set-up.

He said: “Even though I’m the head coach, I’m here to manage the way the building’s built, the training regimes, the way we change the medical team and sports science.

“I’ve been brought in to change everything. This is the hardest I’ve had to work and I’m loving it.

“You might have won ten things in a week, but the only result that really matters is on the Saturday.

“I’m not stupid, I get that.”

Results on a Saturday so far have been a struggle this season.

While Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Coventry City lifted the mood, United are still in the unenviable position of heading to Fratton Park still looking for their first league point.

Robinson is adamant United will be a side to be reckoned with this season, but in the meantime he is happy to take the flak.

“Don’t blame the players, blame me,” he said.

“It’s not a problem, because at the end of the day it’s my team.

“Are some players not playing well? One hundred per cent, let’s not get away from that, but this is a better club 12 months on.

“That’s not being negative about the past, but we’re building on it.”