Of course, the league is our main priority this season because we want to win promotion to the Second Division, but so far in Cup competitions we have done well. I hope this match continues with that form and we can claim another scalp from a club in a higher division. It gives us a chance to see how far we are progressing this season.

We welcome Ian Atkins, the players and everyone associated with Northampton Town to The Abbey for a game that we know will not be easy. They may have found it difficult this season but I think they're strong enough to survive, so we will be in for a tough game.

It's nice to actually have a Cup game at home after our last three were all away at Nottingham Forest, Telford and Macclesfield. We've done well on our travels away from The Abbey, but it gives us a great opportunity to put on a show in front of our own fans.

Hopefully, by the time you read these notes tonight, I will have managed to secure the services of Richard Walker on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season. The young striker may not have scored, but I've been impressed with his performances and, if he keeps going, it won't be long before he gets his chance.

I've been given permission to progress by Villa and the lad himself is keen to stay here at The Abbey, so hopefully things will have been sorted out to the satisfaction of all parties by tonight's game. Richard will give us a bit more competition for places up front and, with Michael Kyd on the way back from his injury problems, things are looking good.

We still have the problem of not scoring enough goals in terms of the number of chances that we are creating. I've talked about this before in my programme notes and, over the Christmas period, while it was great to take four points, it really should have been the maximum six.

I thought maybe at Carlisle that the referee should have given us an obvious penalty, but overall the performance, particularly in the second half, was good. We missed our chances again, but in terms of football I thought we were excellent.

In my notes for the Rotherham game on Boxing Day, I mentioned that we were hoping to have sorted out a new contract for our skipper Paul Wanless. Well, we certainly have, and it's great to have him commit himself to Cambridge United into the millenium. I've always said that there is always a place for a Paul Wanless in any football team, based on his attitude and the spirit he creates both on and off the field.

It's a great attitude for young players to aspire to. Paul leads by example - that's why I appointed him Club captain - and with such a young squad here he gives us the direction that we need.

Finally, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year and you'll continue to get behind us as you have done so far this season. I hope we will continue to play the kind of football which has already brought us some success.