TODAY sees us taking on Sheffield United up at Bramall Lane in what is going to be a great atmosphere at one of the best grounds in the division.

I’ve played there and know all about the noise and the passion the Blades fans can generate, so first and foremost we are going to have to start well and fight for everything.

If we can do that then I believe we have the quality to beat any side in this division, so it sets up what should be a fantastic match.

We are taking another huge away following.

The fans have been exceptional on the road throughout 2016 and having lost the last two away games, we are determined to be much more like our old selves this afternoon and give those fans something to cheer about.

We actually travelled up yesterday after training.

I think an overnight stay before a big away game always helps players focus and prepare properly.

Staying closer to the ground just means you are relaxed and hopefully do not have to worry about the traffic on the motorway.

On this occasion, it will also allow Ryan Ledson to get to know people and settle into the squad after joining on Thursday.

I’ve seen him play a number of times and have watched him in the same Everton sides as John Lundstram and Jonjoe Kenny.

He is a very good player and certainly brings a bit of bite with him.

I wish I’d had a pound every time someone said ‘we’re missing Andy Whing’ during my first season.

Ryan brings many of the same qualities Whingy used to add to the side, although he is certainly a bit more mobile!

I’m sure Whingy won’t mind me saying that.

He is very much a part of the set up within the club and is doing a great job alongside Leon Blackmore-Such in guiding and helping the next generation of players to come through the youth team.

It is an important part of a wider picture and hopefully there are some very exciting players who will be playing for their hometown club in the future.

ON Tuesday night we will see another home cup game when we welcome Exeter City in the Checkatrade Trophy.

The name may not be all that familiar to you, but it is very much the same competition as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, although the early stages are now in groups rather than straight knockout matches.

We enjoyed everything about reaching the final at Wembley last season except the result.

It was a fantastic day for the fans and we played pretty well, although we came up against a particularly strong Barnsley side that afternoon.

Tuesday night will be about as far from that occasion as it is possible to be, but we will approach it in the same positive and professional manner.

We are Oxford United, whatever the competition, and want to go as far as we possibly can once again.