Welcome to Kenilworth Road for this afternoon's FA Cup tie with Rochdale.

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our visitors; their manager Keith Hill, his staff, the players, directors and supporters of Rochdale who have made the journey south.

Keith has done a fantastic job at Spotland and over the past couple of seasons has proved you can play successful football the right way.

They have been unlucky to find themselves in the Play-Offs two seasons in succession but they achieved a superb result last weekend when they went to Bournemouth and won 4-0.

That kind of result underlines the kind of task we face today against Rochdale who will be on a high following their victory last weekend.

Although this competition is the world's most celebrated knock-out tournament, both Rochdale and ourselves go into today's game knowing that the FA Cup is not at the top of either club's priorities with promotion right at the forefront.

However both teams, I am sure, will want to put themselves in the hat for the next round of the competition.

We will go out on the pitch confident in our own ability, and, with Rochdale enjoying a rich vein of form, I believe we'll see an exciting and attractive game of football this afternoon.

Today is the start of a new era at this football club. When a mutual interest in the managerial vacancy arose I was flattered and excited about the position and potential of the club.

I am delighted, honoured, and proud to be asked to take over the club at this particular time. I was well aware whoever was named in this position had a wonderful opportunity.

There has been a culture and tradition of good football played here in the past and we will try and replicate that and bring that style of football back to Kenilworth Road.

Despite the result against Rushden and Diamonds last week, we still find ourselves in with a great chance of ending the campaign successfully.

Although our position in the league isn't where we want to be come the end of the season, we are confident that we can still achieve our goal of winning promotion back to the Football League.

That is the target I have been set and I'd like to thank the 2020 board for their support since I have taken over for their hard work and professional attitude.

While the second half performance was disappointing there were some positives to take from the first half against Rushden but most importantly we will be looking to bounce back to winning ways today.

In the league we are there to be shot at. We're the team everybody wants to beat which means we have to be prepare, plan and perform 100 per cent every week.

It all begins to today and a cup tie gives us the chance to put the league to one side for 90 minutes.

The most important thing is that you, the supporters, are behind us.

While we are all striving for success we need your backing more than ever. Make no mistake - there will be disappointments along the way. Take last Saturday's defeat for example.

However, is it how we all handle these setbacks that matters most. If we can overcome these in a positive manner - the future of this football club is in very good hands.

The players are determined to put on a performance for you today and hopefully reward your support with a place in the hat for the next round of the FA Cup.

It is a fantastic competition and the rewards, should we progress, could be massive.

Enjoy the game.

Richard.