Hello Reds,

It was great to see all the hard work put in by both the coaching staff and the playing squad in recent weeks pay off on Tuesday with our win over Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup.

We delivered a really strong performance against top Championship opposition, and everyone involved did their individual bit to secure what was an incredibly well-fought win against local rivals.

Our cup run now takes us to Old Trafford, which is a game we are all looking forward to, and we all want to put in a performance on such a big stage.

The occasion will be special, but we won’t get carried away by it – the performance matters, and it can’t be understated how positive an impact that a lengthy cup run can have on a team’s morale and performances.

I was part of quite a few cup runs in my time as a player at Barnsley, and some of the memories made during those matches live long as highlights in the lives of players, coaches and fans alike.

It is always special when you get drawn against a big side, it lifts players and motivates them, as they want to be a part of it.

This draw gives them a chance to deliver against one of the biggest clubs in world football and a team full of superstars.

I think our recent performances on the road at Lincoln and Wigan, as well as games at home against Mansfield and Northampton, have seen us showcase what we are capable of, even when we have not gotten the results we wanted, and I firmly believe that there is a lot more to come from this squad.

On a more personal note, I was incredibly proud of my son Jacob, who made his professional debut for Manchester United under 21s recently in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy against ourselves.

Jacob was born here and is a Barnsley fan, so for him to make his professional debut with his dad in the opposite dugout, it was a fantastic occasion for him and one that made us very proud as a family.

We now focus on our trip to Crawley and look to build on the positive result in the week.

You Reds!