Richard's Year?

Richard Garcia hopes that this is finally the season when he can nail down a regular place in the squad.

Although he started in the centre at Preston, he was on the bench for the Rushden and Diamonds game, coming on for Youssef Sofiane to play on the right in the second half.

"I just want to cement my place in the team now and hopefully I will get my chance to do that," he says.

"It is just where the gaffer sees me playing; at the moment I am playing everywhere so we will see.

"I would like to play anywhere as long as I am getting a game; I think I can adapt to most positions quite easily but I definitely find it a bit easier up front or out wide."

David Noble became the seventh player in two games to get his competitive debut midweek and Richard adds:

"I hadn't played in the centre of the park for quite a while before Saturday but David played well on Wednesday; hopefully I can get a place anywhere in the team."

Richard insists that off the field demonstrations were not a distraction and adds:

"The players are just worried about the game; the fans can have their opinions but when it comes to game days I think the players just want to play - and that is what we do."

he says it is a fact of life that top talent has left after relegation and explains:

"You have got to understand that those players have got to move on and the club has to be run like any other business.

"If they have to clear the debts they have to clear the debts and with the likes of Joe and Trevor and even Glen they want to push for an England spot - and that isn't really feasible from a first division club.

"Joe and Glen will be playing in the Champions' League against the best teams in the world.

"It is hard losing those types of players but hopefully a few younger players might come through and we will have a few new stars.

"At the moment we are playing pretty well and we are confident we can do the job."

Richard has been impressed with David Connolly since his arrival at the club from Wimbledon and he adds:

"The two boys played great and linked up very well against Rushden - I think they were outstanding and Neil showed at Preston he is a good addition to the side as well.

"At least there is a bit of competition for spots and that is what you want; the players are a bit younger but hopefully we will come through and do well this season."

As for Saturday's opponents Sheffield United, he says:

"I watched them on Tuesday and they didn't look too bad, so we will have to be on our toes - and I am sure we will come away with a win."

He admits the Carling Cup tie did peter out somewhat on Wednesday, but insists that the end justifies the means.

"When you are winning you don't really need to go for goal and in patches we kept the ball well; we pretty much tried to kill the game which is what you need to do," he explains.

"If you do that they can't score and when we got the third that was it; people want to see exciting football but we want to win games and that is the way to win games."