We had an excellent Christmas and enjoyed some great results over the festive period and with so many games close together it gives teams a real chance to make strides up the table. We've now got to try and repeat that throughout the second half of the campaign to get into one of the play-off spots at least.

Our performances in December were highlighted when I was named Manager of the Month, which isn't just about me, but the work we have all done at the club.

It could have been seen as a bit of a jinx, when we lost our first game of 2006 3-0 at home to Preston. But for me we were just out on our feet having played three games already, while they'd missed a game when their match at Plymouth was postponed. We ran out of steam on the day and had an average day, while they had a very good day.

Our last game was in The FA Cup and we were disappointed to go out against West Ham but had a lot of positives to take from the match. We had ten injuries to contend with and brought in a couple of youngsters, Michael Spillane who's 16 and Rossi Jarvis at 17, who equipped themselves very well while we almost sneaked a draw to take it to a replay.

It's good for us to have these players coming through the academy system and the same can be said for other clubs, especially in the Championship. This week we've heard a lot about the young star at Southampton, Theo Walcott, who's made the headlines; first with a nice goal in The FA Cup and then with speculation over a move to the Premiership.

In my view players should do an apprenticeship and take it step by step. If players have the ability and they have the belief then they'll be alright. But they need to have their education before they make a massive jump up.

I think young players need to have patience, but it's not an easy thing. Players want to reach for the sky and make the most of what they can do, but the clubs have to do what's right for the boys. 

In Walcott's case, he's a very good player but has time on his side. He started the game for the Saints at Carrow Road just before Christmas and he showed signs of what he could do, but thankfully for us he had a quiet day and was taken off.

He's a very, very interesting talent and it's exciting for England that a player with his ability is coming through so soon after the likes of Rooney, Gerrard and Owen 

As a football manager it was good to see that Sven reached his fifth anniversary in the England job this week. Managers need time to be able to implement their ideas and shape a team they think is capable of achieving things.

It's no co-incidence that the team's that have stability and continuity are the ones who move forward.

With what Sven has been able to achieve in his five years I would have thought The FA would be very pleased.

Nigel's vote for England Player of the Year 2005
For me a couple of players stood out last year. Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard have both been fantastic. But I'd have to go with Rooney, he's a very special player.