Post by Norah on May 15, 2016 10:17:24 GMT
From the Whitney Gazette
www.witneygazette.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/14492155.Alex_MacDonald_eyes_Oxford_United_s_chances_of__doing_a_Burton_/?
Alex MacDonald eyes Oxford United's chances of 'doing a Burton'
ALEX MacDonald says Oxford United will be looking to emulate his former club Burton Albion’s successive promotions when the squad return to action next season.
Runners-up spot in Sky Bet League Two last weekend earned the club a place in the third tier for the first time since 2001.
United are under no illusions about the challenge of League One, where the average finishing position of promoted sides in the past five seasons is 17th.
But 20 per cent of those have continued the momentum to claim a top-six spot, with Burton this season and Rotherham United in 2014 going one step further and reaching the Championship.
United’s average home crowds of 7,211 in this campaign were bigger than all but seven clubs in League One during 2015-16, suggesting they can compete.
While MacDonald knows it will be a step up next season, United’s ambition means they will be aiming high.
The winger said: “Of course it is something that can be done.
“I don’t think many teams have gone from League Two to the Championship back-to-back in recent seasons.
“To emulate what Burton have done would be amazing, but we’re not getting too carried away or ahead of ourselves.
“We know exactly where we are and what we need to do.”
He added: “I think everyone knows the club wants to be in the Championship, it is a Championship club with the fans and the ambition of the chairman and manager.
“It’s where we all ultimately want to be.
MacDonald left Burton in January 2015, swapping a side on the march to the League Two title for a United side then struggling in mid-table.
The 26-year-old missed out on the Brewers’ celebrations, so has been delighted the plans laid out by head coach Michael Appleton, which convinced him to join, have started to become reality.
He said: “What drove me to Oxford was the ambition at the club and the great fan-base they have.
“It was maybe a risky move in some ways, but the first part has been ticked now.
“It’s been a really tough season but very rewarding “And I’m absolutely thrilled to have been a part of it."
