Today sees us once again travel into the known and yet unknown when we make the trip round the M25 to play Gillingham.

I say that because usually we know what to expect at Priestfield, where the stands are close to the pitch and there is a good atmosphere.

However, after changing in Portakabins at Lincoln and Accrington in our last two away games, we just don’t know what to expect today.

We are having to adapt to something new every game – in the previous two Saturdays we’ve had the team bus at Accrington and the pre-match Covid checks before Crewe.

Also read: Bizarre Saturdays help Oxford United in long run, says Sean Clare

Kick-offs are also being changed. Today is a 1pm start, which means a change of pre-match and an overnight to make sure the pre-match meal and routine is spot-on for an important game.

Credit to the staff and players, because we have adapted well to everything thrown at us so far.

We are very open and very inclusive and everyone has a say in how we organise things.

It’s like one big family at times and talking of that it is good to have James Baldock coming in as the new club doctor.

Fans will know all about George and Sam, his footballing brothers, but I have known James a long time as well and he will be a great addition to the backroom team.

Rebecca Whiticar is leaving after doing a brilliant job – I’d like to go on record and thank her for all she has done for us.

James takes over and has all the medical qualifications and loads of football experience and will be a great success, I am sure.

I did have to laugh at him last weekend though when he reported for duty, officially, for the first time.

As he stepped on to the pitch at 1.30 I had just been told by the Crewe manager that their player had tested positive for Covid.

Welcome to Oxford United, James!

Illness aside, I am hoping for a much better injury list ahead of today and Josh Ruffels, Alex Gorrin, Jamie Hanson and Sam Winnall should all be available which strengthens us all over the pitch.

It also gives us choices to make with 11 games in 30-something days.

We are going to need everyone and we need to start that run with a win today if we possibly can.

I mentioned family and my wife Ann-Marie and I were invited on to the Fans Forum on the radio this week.

It was largely based on Ann-Marie’s experience in offering advice and training on mental wellbeing.

Typically she was delivering a course on that very subject that day, because you never ever stop learning regarding mental health. 

Today marks World Mental Health day and as you know I am a massive supporter of anything on that subject. 

Right now, when most of the country is facing the biggest challenges of our lifetime, please talk to each other, talk to experts if you can and most perhaps importantly look after each other.