April Showers!

After suffering in March, United started April in fine fettle winning our first 3 games and then the showers came on last Saturday when we lost for the 3rd time this season to fellow strugglers Glenavon. Tomorrow, we have a chance to halt this doom and gloom, temporarily at least, when we entertain Dungannon Swifts in our last game of the season. It would be true to say that we haven't got a particularly good record against the Swifts, but we hope that's all in the past. Swifts manager, Darren Murphy, needs no introduction to Sky Blue fans and we can be sure he'll have the Swifts playing football, not nancy, prancy football, but football with steel and we need to be prepared to battle. Unfortunately we, the Sky Blue Sport team, didn't get to last Saturday's match, but 'Rusty Ray' told us it was dire stuff, so we hope for a positive reaction from the boys tomorrow.

Spike sprang a surprise, bringing Peter Duffin on as a sub last Saturday, but Rusty Ray says even he couldn't raise the tempo of a sluggish Sky Blue team. What will our manager do with his playing panel tomorrow? Will he pick his best side leaving us in no doubt of what we can expect next season? Or will he start with the boys like Cookie Munster who seems to in line to play his last match in a Sky Blue shirt, or are we getting the wrong vibes. It'd be fair to say that Cookie has had an up and down season, he scored our goal in the Shield final, but he also played in some of our biggest hidings this season. We're not saying he was alone in playing crap in these matches, but he's an experienced defender and must shoulder a big percentage of the blame. Everybody in our playing panel has had an up and down season as well, none more so than our leading goal-scorer and talisman, David Cushley.

Some of Cushley's play this season has been a delight to watch, but on the other side of the coin, some of it was painful to watch, but he's never dull. The brightest spark in our team this year has been our goalkeeper, Dwayne Nelson, who was sensationally dropped after we shipped 8 goals at home against the eventual league Champions, Chickenville, which culminated in him missing the biggest match we have played in recent seasons, the County Antrim Shield final. But Dwayne came back from this reverse to win our 'man of the match' on numerous occasions, with some sterling performances when he was the only thing standing between us and certain defeat. But he couldn't do it all on his own and I'm sure he would want to end this season on a positive note, especially against his former club, the Swifts. We are not going to try and guess what tricks Glenn has got up his sleeves, we only hope he has some, so for the last time this season, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Tyrone bunnies!

Missing Again!

This has been an exceptional season for the Sky Blue Sports team, we're not referring to that long awaited trophy win and it was exceptional, we're referring to ourselves missing so many matches. It's happening again tomorrow, we won't have a presence at the match, Rusty Ray and twitter will keep us informed no doubt but we won't have a match report. Omar is forsaking the cause and going to watch Peterhead (his second favourite team), play Rangers at Ibrox (Judas), after swearing he never be inside Rangers ground, but they're exceptions to every rule, as he points out. But enough about us, the Sky Blues, fresh from their win over Lisburn Distillery, take on Gary Hamilton's Glenavon at the Showgrounds, the same Glenavon who trounced United 7-0 barley two months ago at Mourneview Park.

We hope the wounds from that debacle run deep and the real United step up to the plate and if we are to have any chance of reaching the fabled 51 points (51 points isn't possible, it's either 50 or 52 points). The manager pressed Johnny Taylor into service as an emergency rightback on Tuesday night and he was like 'a fish out of water' and had to be reminded to stick with Whites Jordan Hughes, not be covering central attackers. Luckily his class told in the end and he performed adequately but we expect Tony Kane to be restored to rightback and Johnny to come in at central defence. Thommo has served his suspension and will be in contention for a place in midfield where we were poor on Tuesday night. Alan D scored a goal but otherwise had a poor game and he was indebted to sub Neil Lowry for a surging run and pass to set up his goal, but we know from experience, Neil seldom has two games running where he is effective.

Mike Ruddy had is best game on Tuesday night and is starting to fulfil his potential and maybe he can give his 'nemesis', Stephen McBride, a run for the leftback slot next season, we'll see. Dwayne Nelson was supposed to sign a contract on Wednesday but we haven't heard any confirmation and he remains in limbo (not signed for next season), we think. That said he will be between the sticks for the remaining two matches of this season and must be streets ahead in the clubs 'player of the year' or we are monkeys uncles. Liggie and Dolan are starting to look like a partnership, its early days yet we know, but there were signs on Tuesday night of an understanding between them, but its a work in progress and will take time. Now for United's talisman Cush, he had a disappointing game on Tuesday, but if he's fully fit we would expect him to be back to his best and give the Sky Blues the cutting edge that was missing on Tuesday night, so come on Sky Blues, lets shag those Mourneviewers!

White Light!

Some people believe in the after life (we're not expressing an opinion either way) and some believe that when we die we see a white light and we should go towards it and get to this other life. Tomorrow night the Whites of Lisburn Distillery are fighting for their very existence as a Premier league side and if they fail against the Sky Blues it would be hard to envisage them surviving to fight another day, they have to do battle in the 'white light' at Ballyskeagh. A look on the IFA website will tell you the home team have 3 players serving a suspension and United must do without Gary Thompson also suspended, but we have a ready made replacement in Ally who came off the bench last Saturday and contributed to United's two goals in the second half. Or maybe Spike will spring a surprise and start young Peter Duffin, he's had ample time to give the youngster a start but so far has resisted the temptation.

The news about United's Captain Jenks ankle ligament damage means he will miss United's last three games which includes tomorrows night encounter with the Whites, kick-off 19-45. There's a rumour doing the rounds about Linfield inquiring about United's top scorer Cush and if that is true we could lose our leading scorer two seasons running, we at 'Sport hope its only a rumour. Tomorrow's night game pits Liggie against his former team-mates for the first game since he transferred to United in the January transfer window, no doubt he can expect a rough reception. Cush has already played against his former team-mates and the other ex-Distillery man in our ranks is missing through suspension, as we alluded to earlier.

Of course our manager Spike spent his final years as a player in the Whites team and was assistant manager before taking up his present position. The Whites also have one or two ex-Ballymena men in their ranks, Dom Melly and Aaron Boyd spring to mind, so we may have a bit of needle in the game so we need a strong referee, alas we got Tim Marshall. The 'baby faced' official needs no introduction to United fans and we seen some of his ridiculous decisions or indecisions on many occasions this season, so we can expect no help from him. The boys have struck a rich vein of form as of late and we need to keep winning, for winning can become a habit as we know from last season. For our last away match this season we need the crowd behind us, but the majority of our fans have given up, it's now up to the die-hards, so come on United, let's shag them and show them to the 'white light'!

Last Visit!

A lot of United's fans are talking about United's 'last visit' to DC Suffolk Road grounds, fresh from their Shield success, but shying away from the vital fact, that this could be our last visit to West Belfast for a season at least. DC may escape automatic relegation(the Whites look favourites for that), but if they remain in 11th position in the Premier league table, they could face a play-off with Carrick Rangers and as the 'gers have picked up of late, that could prove a bridge too far for Packy and his boys. For tomorrow's game DC are missing three players through suspension and three players are a huge gap on any teams resources, never mind a team that are in the doldrums of the Irish Premiership table and fighting for survival.

United go into this game on the back of a great win over Portadown, admittedly Ports were saving themselves for the cup semi-final and had mainly a reserve team out, but still our boys had to be professional and put them to the sword. We have an outside chance of pipping Ports for seventh place, but we cannot afford any slip-ups and a win is vital for us tomorrow. We assume we have a fully fit squad to pick from, but we need to be at our best in order to get full points tomorrow. If we play like last time we were up there, we will rightly fail, but if we show a bit of application and fight, there's no reason we can't triumph. A number of our players have to impress the manger to be kept on, times running short for some of them, so come on United, let's shag those Suffolk lambs!

Easter Bonnet!

The big Easter bunny has been and gone, if you didn't get an Easter egg or lots of goodies, then you'd better come along to the Showgrounds, Ballymena and be miserable with the rest of us. One of the Sky Blue Sport's team has a genuine excuse to miss this fixture, the rest of us are just a little envious of him. United without a win since mid January are the league's chopping boys and the visit of Portadown tomorrow fills us with dread, hot on the hells of a mauling by Premier league champions elect, Chickenville, on Saturday past. The match which kicks-off at 14-30 instead the usual 15-00, or better still a night game, looks like a banker bet for the free-scoring Ports forwards, against the third worst defence in the Premiership.

Dwayne Nelson, so often the hero in United's team this season and last Saturday was no exception, might have to miss this game because of injury, but as he is a quick healer and we'll not be surprised to see him play. Team Captain Alan Jenks, suspension completed, will be added to the panel no doubt and if Dwayne is fit, maybe Spike will make Captain Jenks his only change. If Jenks plays, we expect Thommo to make way for him, but Spike is full of surprises, but we don't think he will make wholesale changes in spite of the lack of fighting spirit displayed by the Sky Blues over the last half a dozen games. We need to be quick out of the blocks tomorrow if we are to have any chance of reaching that elusive target our manager has set us over the next 5 games.

If we don't get a win tomorrow, then we cannot reach the target, in fact we need to win all five games to amass more points than last years total, a tall order from a team brimming with confidence, never mind a team that have had all their allusions shattered. Portadown on the other hand missed out a top six berth by the skin of their teeth and may take their eye off the ball so to speak with an Irish cup semi-final against Glentoran coming up in 5 days time. But we can't depend on that, we have to be focused on our own destiny and we have to try and win the game, for its the only thing that makes sense. We have won our first trophy for 23 years and maybe if we can a sneak a win tomorrow, we can consolidate 8th place in the league and get a bit of confidence back, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Portadowners!

This Time!

We have nothing new to add this time around about tomorrow's fixture against Chickenville at the hen run. As far as we know Cush should be back and maybe Spike will think that's the only change he needs to make in the absence with suspension of team Captain Alan Jenkins, Thommo could move into his position. We and the vast majority of United fans have been hoping young Peter Duffin gets a start over the last few games, but so far Spike hasn't picked the youngster, just left him on the bench, with an occasional run out as a sub.

We don't think it will be any different tomorrow, as the team tries to target this elusive 51 points, which seems to us to be a pipe dream. The Reds on the other hand can take a firm grip on the Gibson cup with a victory and if the Crues don't sneak a win at the Oval, they'll only need 2 points to be champions for 2013. We look like cannon fodder, but if we have any pride (which we doubt somewhat), we'll try to make them fight for the points, but we are not optimistic. But its a match and we haven't conceded a goal for two games, so come on United, lets shag those Chickenvillers or at least give them a game!

Table Football!

There's a blizzard coming on, how I'm wishing I was home, are the opening words to an old song and it's pertinent here as its snowing outside. Well we are at home, but we'll venture out tonight, if the match at Windsor Park featuring Norn Iron against Russia in a World cup qualifier goes ahead. Like lambs to the slaughter we'll venture out tomorrow when United take on Chickenville at the hen run (Solitude), on the 3g pitch that resembles table football, in our opinion. United welcome back Cush from his one game suspension but must do without the traffic Policeman, captain Alan Jenks. The traffic Policeman, aptly named by Sammy Patterson at Shamrock Park last Saturday, is himself suspended for this game courtesy of five bookings, who will take his place?

We figure its a toss-up between Thommo and Alan D, two non-tacklers and we can only afford one against the league leaders, we learned that the hard way last time we met the Reds. We have stopped the rot in our last two matches, getting clean sheets, but as for going forward, we have no idea. In Alan D we have a player who could swing it for us as he is our best passer by far, but on that surface passing is a lottery. We don't think Dolan will be risked as that surface is unforgiving to blokes carrying an injury and it looks to be Liggie playing a lone furrow upfront again, ably backed up by Ally and Cush. We can't see Spike starting Duffin, he has had ample chance to start the young fellow and resisted the temptation and looks like a 'backs to wall' policy tomorrow again.

With the news that Stephen McBride (Crues), has signed a pre-contract deal with United, it's not hard to guess what our tactics will be next season as well. Omar says the best means of defence is to attack, but we need skilful players to do that and of this moment they are as scarce as hens teeth and in absence of them, we're signing another defender, who can't get his place in the Crues team, but he's good for us also-rans. At least he's coming from a team at the top reaches of our league, Spike's last two acquisitions came from the bottom two teams in our league and they're not setting the world alight, now are they. This is our last match that has any relevance this season, not for us, but for Chickenville.

They can take another grip on the Gibson cup with a victory, hopefully we can put a 'spanner in the works', but its not going to be easy. We need everybody playing as if their life depended upon that game, or their livelihood anyway and some are playing for a contract and maybe that might make them try a little harder. It promises to be a cold and bleak day, but maybe United can lift our spirits with a battling display and we'll need that at Solitude tomorrow. It's a horrible ground to watch a match, stuck behind the goals and everything that happens at the other end is like a blur, but maybe it'll be on the radio and we can get a running commentary or maybe not, but we'll be there anyway, come hell or high water, come on Sky Blues, lets shag those Chickenvillers!

Away Glee!

During Roy Walker's reign at the Showgrounds we didn't have of a good home record, in fact we didn't have a home record, we were abysmal at home. But we did enjoy a modicum of success on our travels and tomorrows away match at Portadown could provide a springboard for getting our season on track once again. The last time we tasted victory was in mid-January over the Glens at the Oval and we at 'Sport reckon it's about time we tasted it yet again. The last time we were at the 'lost city' of Craigavon, we suffered at the hands of Portadown biggest rivals, Glenavon, by a scoreline we want to forget, but maybe that can work in our favour. Portadown manager Ronnie McFall will no doubt try to play down any complacency in his side, but human nature being what it is, the home team will think we are easy meat.

Matches between our two teams tend to be close affairs and it'll be no different tomorrow and if we can cut out the supply to the Ports danger-man, Kevin Braniff, we can stand a chance. Last time the teams met at the Showgrounds in December, Spike earmarked Chrissy Rodgers to man-mark Braniff. In the first half this worked a treat, but in the 2nd half the wily Kevin slipped Chrissy two times and it led to two goals for the visitors, proving he is a player who can hurt defences. Sky Blue Sport reckon Spike has learned his lesson and will not man-mark Braniff tomorrow, but rather try to cut out the supply to him, which we think is a better ploy. We have tried all day to ascertain team news, but to no avail, but assume Dwayne has made a recovery from his injury and will be between the sticks tomorrow.

If he hasn't made a recovery, Stuarty Addis will take his place, but Mark McCullagh looks doubtful and if he is not available Spike has some contenders for his place. He could recall Chrissy at rightback where he has played before or incorporate Vaulsey like he did in a few matches at the start of the season, or go with Tony Kane and promote Gavin Taggart from the bench to midfield. In the absence of the suspended Cush, we would like to see him start Peter Duffin as he looked good when he came on last week against the Glens. If Shane Dolan's groin is still troubling him we don't expect him to be risked and Liggie could be asked to lead the line again as a lone striker. That would leave Spike with only one decision to make, Jenks or Thommo?

They're both the same type of players, good at going forward, not much on tackling and we think it be too big a risk to play the two of them tomorrow. But Spike could have other ideas, or he may elect to play Alan D in midfield or be bold and play Jimmy Mac up front alongside Liggie. We got away with a scoreless draw last Saturday, by playing defensively and trying to hit on the break, but with the firepower Ports have at their disposal, with Braniff, Twigg and Murray, we figure that won't do tomorrow and we'll need another string to our bow if we are to get a result. Portadown has an outside chance of reaching the top six, but we figure they need to win their next three games, if we can halt them tomorrow, it could just kick-start the rest of our season, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those apple pickers

Tunnel Time!

United manager Spike finds himself between a rock and a hard place with just 3 games to go before the split, starting with the visit of Glentoran tomorrow, who we haven't beaten at the Showgrounds since 2007. But Glenn could've been forgiven for hiding this week after his charges let a 2-0 halftime lead slip last Saturday, but what does he do, he sets his non-performing team a target of beating last years total, 50 points, with only 8 games left. The way this team have been playing recently it'll need a minor miracle to realise 8 points from the remaining 8 games, never mind 16. What happens if United don't achieve this target, which in our opinion is quite formidable? Well Glenn has intimated that they'll be some players leaving(2or3)and maybe that figure could be doubled or even trebled, they will be no need for an escape tunnel, they'll go out the front door.

With Johnny Taylor fully fit again and Cookie Munster free from suspension, we expect Spike to start with them in central defence and Archie could get the nod at leftback where Ruddy has been less than impressive of late. It's time for Spike to be ruthless and sort out our midfield, he's been trying to accommodate, Alan D, Jenks and Thommo but it just isn't working and he needs to pick his best one out of the three of them, we thinks it's Alan D and slot him alongside Sparky. It would be a bold move to drop our Captain Jenks, but he hasn't been performing for us lately and Thommo doesn't look fit. Having sorted the centre midfield pairings, he has to take another bold step and start young Peter Duffin and Cush as his two wide men to get round the back of the Glens defence and hopefully provide some ammunition for his strikers.

You'll notice we said strikers and we think he must start Dolan and Liggie in tandem, no use signing them if we are not going to play them together. Cush is our leading goalscorer with 8 goals, we need Dolan and Liggie to take some of the weight off Cush's shoulders and a goalscoring midfielder wouldn't be amiss either. It'll be a huge task for us tomorrow to get anything out of this game, the Glens generally win at a canter at the Showgrounds, but we got to believe in ourselves. We know it isn't going to easy, but if we stand United, we can do it, come on Sky Blues, lets shag those Ballymacarat sheep

Golden Silence!

The silence has been deafening from the Showgrounds hierarchy in the wake of United's humbling 7-0 hammering at Mourneview Park last Saturday. The 150 loyal United men who made the trip, could have forgiven the United team if they had been outplayed by their hosts, Glenavon, but they were not. The team just capitulated and gave the home team a three goal start and left themselves with a mountain to climb. Any readers of our deliberations on this web will know our abhorrence of quick free kicks, quick throw-ins and short corners. This United team use these ploys in abundance, but they usually come back to bite them. If we had a plan that included short free-kicks, quick throw-ins and short corners, they could be a ploy, but is patently obvious that we don't have a plan, when in the majority of times the recipient looks surprised to be getting the ball and hasn't a clue what to do with it, except in most cases, giving it away to the opposition.

Rant over, we have positive news on the injury front with Johnny Taylor and Archie in the panel for tomorrow postponed match when DC are the visitors. It's not known whether either of them will merit a starting role, but it would be nice to see them named on the bench, but maybe it's too early for Taylor. Archie on the other hand was on the bench last Saturday and although he didn't get a run out, he must surely come in for consideration tomorrow. Striker Shane Dolan plays his first game against his former club and United need to look to him to lead by example, he scored in his first 2 games for the Sky Blues, but since then he picked up an injury and hasn't looked as impressive since returning to full fitness. Cush had to come off at Mourneview last Saturday, when he was subjected to some vicious fouls, largely ignored by referee Tim Marshall and we got another referee of the same ilk tomorrow, in Andrew Davy. It's not known whether Cush is fit and if he is, perhaps Spike should rest him, but we think if he is fit, play him, he is the man who puts bums on seats.

The word among United fans is that they are getting fed up with all the defeats and not fretting about missing this match. Where are they coming from? In two short months the season will be over and then we will be in limbo for ten weeks, until we come back refreshed in August. So we say, get your arse down to the Showgrounds tomorrow and try to give the team some encouragement and maybe we can put last Saturday's debacle behind us. The team have to stand up and be counted, we don't need any shrinking violets, we just need good honest men who have the right team ethos, trying their eye strings out for the rest of the season. They'll be hiccups along the way, that goes without saying almost, but if they are United in their quest and really playing for the shirt, winning is within their grasp. We will need a mammoth effort from our defence which all at sea last Saturday, surely they couldn't be that crap two matches in a row or could they? Well that's as maybe, we have to have faith that Spike and his team of baldies know their stuff, so come on United, let's shag those Suffolk ewes!