THERE’S no denying that it really is a huge weekend coming up for us.

The Easter bank holiday is always an important period which can make or break your season and it’s no different for us this year.

We need to get ourselves going again after the frustration of suffering a disappointing defeat at Burton and having our game against Bury washed out.

First up is Mansfield Town at Roots Hall tomorrow and I think the key is going to be making sure we start strongly.

We were frustrated by Cambridge’s tactics in our last home game and we need to make sure we hit the ground running against Mansfield.

We will need the fans right behind us and I think scoring an early goal would make all the difference.

It would certainly settle us down and it would also mean that Mansfield would also have to start to play a bit more which would result in the game opening up a bit more which would obviously suit us.

Mansfield still have a lot to play for too as they’re starting to get dragged down in to it towards the bottom of the table.

They’re six or seven points above the relegation zone so it’s an important weekend for them too but it’s going to be our home form which ultimately decides where we finish this season so we want the three points.

Getting a victory would also set us up nicely for Monday’s trip to Hartlepool United and that’s also a huge game for both teams.

Ronnie Moore has really turned things around there and they are on a real roll at the moment.

I think they made it half price admission for the last home game and they had more than 5,000 there so I’m sure there will be a good atmosphere.

But right now we’re just making sure we win against Mansfield because that would be the best way to prepare for the trip to Hartlepool.

BIG THANKS TO OUR FANS

I WOULD again like to take this opportunity to thank all of the supporters who made the very long journey to Bury at the weekend, only for the game to be called off after just six minutes.

I think the referee made the right decision in the end but it was an awful long way to go for the game to be abandoned.

We now have to head back there towards the end of April and we need to make sure that’s still going to be a big game.

We have four matches to play between now and going back to Gigg Lane and our aim is to ensure we’re still up there challenging by then.

CONTRACT TALKS CONTINUE

WE’RE in contract negotiations with a few members of the squad at the moment.

As I said in the Echo a little while ago, I think it’s important we get the situation sorted.

And hopefully there will be something positive to announce regarding this quite soon.

MICHAEL CARRICK WAS FANTASTIC FOR ENGLAND

I QUITE enjoyed watching England’s game with Italy on Tuesday night and I thought Michael Carrick coming on for us made a massive difference.

He was a breath of fresh air when he came onto the pitch, he’s positive on the ball and always looks to try and play it forwards.

He has an air of confidence about him as well and I was certainly very impressed by his performance.

I also enjoy watching Italy play because I love the way they defend.

But it was certainly a decent enough game and one I’m sure Roy Hodgson certainly took a lot from.