"For me it was always about December," Cardoza told BBC Radio Northampton.
"They're difficult games but, with Stevenage, Morecambe and Burton to play, we can get some points and move ourselves up the table."
The Cobblers began the month by moving up to 18th place with last weekend's 2-0 victory over Stockport. That puts them in an almost identical place to where they were a year ago when they also stood in 18th place, also on 21 points, but from one game more.
"We're in a better position points-wise than we were at this stage last year," said Cardoza.
"We need to improve in some aspects and probably to strengthen a little bit. But I'm confident we'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."
Northampton, who have lost just once in six league games, are scheduled to go to Stevenage on Saturday (1500 GMT), subject to the weather.
They are then due to play host to Morecambe, before the Boxing Day home clash with Burton Albion.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport