This is Des Buckingham's latest column written exclusively for the Oxford Mail.

We make the short trip to Northampton today with another sold-out away end all hoping we can kick off Christmas with a win.

It’s amazing the way our fans have got behind us this season- sold-out away ends at three of our last four away games.

I’m told tickets are selling very quickly for our home game on Boxing Day as well so make sure you book as early as possible.

We come into the game off the back of a really strong performance at home to Burton last weekend.

We had 28 shots, 14 of them on target and at one stage we managed six shots on target in six seconds- I’m still not sure how one of them didn’t find its way across the line.

It was enjoyable to watch, whether you are the manager or in the stands and hopefully a sign of things to come as we enter our busiest part of the year.

Four games in ten days is a challenge, not just physically but mentally.

You need to switch from game to game pretty quickly and I am sure every club in the division will be hoping that they can come through this period without too many injuries.

I do like keeping busy and fully understand that Christmas games are a tradition that draws big crowds, and it will be a good test of squad depth but we have a group of players all desperate to play.

One of my mentors was the late great Alan Hodgkinson, the world’s first goalkeeping coach.

He had some amazing stories about this time of year and I loved listening to him.

I remember him telling me how he played for Sheffield United at home to Portsmouth one Christmas Day then the players showered and got on the train to Portsmouth. Both teams!

They shared a beer, travelled to the south coast and played each other the next day!

Thankfully we don’t do that any more but I’d like to end by taking this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

It’s a chance to spend time with your loved ones and I think I appreciate that more having been overseas for the last nine years.

Time spent with your family is so important so make the most of it and we’ll do our best to send you into Christmas in a good mood today.

I travelled down to Gillingham on Tuesday night to watch the Under 18s in the FA Youth Cup.

It was a long journey, over 4 hours around the M25 but worth it to see a good cup tie and two young teams giving it everything they had.

Our Oxford side showed some positive signs throughout the game and were able to force the game into extra time after coming from behind but were unfortunate to lose to a late penalty.

They were disappointed with the result but should can be proud of their performance.

They worked hard, had a clear game plan and wore those yellow shirts with pride. That’s all we ask and based on that performance I think the future looks very bright.