HAVING a week without a midweek fixture is a rarity in football.

It has given us a little time to work on a few things, to recharge our batteries and regroup ahead of what will be a very busy run of games.

It’s not just knocks and bruises, but is just as important for players to step back, clear their heads and get ready for the next phase of the season.

We start with a trip to Rochdale today where I am expecting a really good game of football.

That is my neck of the woods and I know all about the passion and loyalty at clubs like Rochdale, Bury and Oldham.

They live in the shadows of some pretty big clubs around there.

But they play a big part in their communities and, in Rochdale’s case, have a vastly experienced manager in Keith Hill, who has been doing the job at this level for a lot longer than me.

He has assembled a side that have grown together over a number of years.

And they look a good bet to finish in the top ten, with hopes of a play-off place.

All credit to them, because they do so by playing decent football and by developing young players all the time.

We will treat them with respect, but we’re desperate to get back to winning ways after defeat at AFC Wimbledon last weekend.

That was a setback, but you are going to get days like that along the way and it is how you deal with them.

We have developed a good habit of bouncing back strongly each time things go against us and I expect the same from the players this afternoon.

It’s the start of a week where we play three games in three different competitions – league, Checkatrade Trophy and FA Cup.

It’s highly unlikely that we will put out the same team in all three games.

But whoever we select, we will go into each match hoping and expecting to make progress.

The Newcastle game next weekend is going to be a great occasion.

But I can honestly say I haven’t given it too much thought as of yet.

All we have done is rest, recover, regenerate and pour every ounce of energy into winning at Spotland this afternoon.

THERE has been a lot of talk among the fans and in the media this week regarding the stadium situation.

I am 100 per cent behind the chairman when he calls for the situation to be resolved as quickly as possible.

However, it is important for me to stay focused on the main job in hand which is to win games of football and continue to make progress on the pitch, especially in the league.

I like to be aware of all developments at the club, but not get too involved in the politics.

There are more qualified people in the boardroom and around the club to deal with that and I have absolute trust they will do the right thing for Oxford United.