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" Carlisle come as league leaders at the moment, they have had two terrific wins and a good draw away at Plymouth so they will be full of confidence. We come unbeaten as well and the winners go top of the league, they will stay there or we will overtake them, it might only be for a night or whatever but it is a big incentive for both clubs. So, it's a mouth-watering game, even at this early stage of the season.
" Carlisle have probably enjoyed their week with the table showing them at the top and they will know they're there to be challenged now. We had that ourselves last year and we were pushing teams above us as well. It really is a good feeling if you're up there and it is a big incentive for us to win the football match on Friday.
" The chance to go top of the table in itself should be enough motivation for everyone and they will want to stay there. People say that the league table doesn't count for anything until 12 games in, but people are already talking about it - you see the league table everywhere.
" Then you hear managers say they would rather be somewhere in May than August. Whatever anyone says though, being up there does feel good and you're not going to turn down going top in August, whatever anyone says. But, it is important to stay in the upper reaches of the table, as it helps create a really positive mood. "
" I spoke to the players about the possibility of going top on Friday, five minutes after the game at Sunderland. I congratulated them on their performance in the cup, but told them to put it behind them quickly and to take the confidence forward that we can play good football against exalted company. We now want to do that again against a top of the table side.
" The game doesn't mean any more to me because of what's happened before. I look back on my period there very fondly and don't have any regrets. I think they have recruited well over the summer, but I'm happy to put my line-up against theirs to see how it goes.
" I enjoyed it there at Carlisle, we got to the play-offs and just missed out when Leeds United beat us. But it was a good time I had up there and I'll meet some people again just to say 'hello' which will we be good, but we'll both want to beat each other won't we.
" We're not necessarily looking at anything before the transfer window, not at this moment in time in terms of buying new players in. Because within a week or so after that the loan situation opens again anyway. So, we will certainly look at that more seriously but I don't think there will be any new faces in terms of buying and selling, well selling we are not sure about that but certainly not buying. "
" I have inherited a big squad, a good squad, a squad at the moment that is unbeaten in the league and is challenging for whatever we can in August. So, I am really happy with the group of players I have got and unless we pick up some serious injuries then we will stay with it and work hard with it.
" The transfer window is awkward, I would find it better, I think most managers want it open all the time so that business can continue. I can see the reasons for doing it but I also think it stops trade for a period of time for players as well. Whilst we have got the loan window that we can use in the Football League, that is not necessarily a great thing for the top boys. So, I think it probably affects the Premier League a little bit more than us.
" We wrote to all of the clubs about playing us here on a Friday night and we've had a couple that have said yes, so it is a bit of an experiment for us really. It will be a test for the crowd levels - it's still August and school holidays, but it will be interesting to see whether it gets one or two more people in and it pays off. We have to try things like this and see how we can set things up for the future.
" I like games under lights. It was relatively open at the Stadium Of Light, but it still felt a good atmosphere under lights. Even if we don't get a massive crowd, it is a big game under lights and there is a bit of a special flavour to games like this. There are lots of added things to this game which is really exciting. I think the players really look forward to night matches. "
In team news for the U's this evening, boss John Ward has quite a few injury problems to contend with. Former Blues players Ben Williams and Simon Hackney both being sidelined with respective ankle and back injuries, while left-back Ben Coker is out for at least another month with an ankle problem.
Longer term though utility defender Morten Knudsen and central midfielder John-Joe O'Toole are both out with cruciate knee ligament injuries, and finally striker Steven Gillespie (ankle) will miss the match at the Weston Community Homes Stadium this evening.
On the other side of the coin for the home side however, captain, and central midfielder Kemal Izzet is expected to be fit enough to return to tonight's matchday squad following a recent ankle problem. While the same goes for two other Carlisle players in left-back Marc Tierney (illness) and centre-half Paul Reid (groin/hip).
The referee for this evening's match is Gavin Ward from Leatherhead in Surrey, and he will be assisted down the lines by Tony Mason from Sidcup in Kent and Wade Norcott from Harlow in Essex. Meanwhile the fourth official is Wes Linden from Northwood in Middlesex.