Sky Blue Sport News

Friday, November 28, 2008

Only Believe!

We're making an appeal to Sky Blue fans here tonight, please endeavour to come along to Mourneview Park tomorrow, weather permitting and cheer on United. All you have to do is 'believe' we have a chance (which we do), Mourneview park is after all one of our 'happy hunting' grounds and many a victory we've squeezed out against the odds at that venue. Tomorrow will be no exception, we go there with absolutely no form whatsoever and probably having to play at least three or maybe four of the players transfer listed by our manager. It's easy to see what he's about as he tries to rid himself of the vestiges of former manager Tommy Wright's disastrous signings. Take the two McDonnell's, Gav and Joe as a case in point. Both were signed on a pre-contract (allegedly on high wages), by our former manager and let's be honest about it, who had heard of either of them before he signed them and their form since signing has been at best, mediocre. Mark Picking meanwhile was given an extension to his contract about this time last year, but hardly played the rest of the season. Tommy Wray was signed as cover at rightback a position United haven't filled since Kenny Shiels got rid of Mark Carlisle and is at best only average. Aiden Watson, yet another of Wright's big signings has flitted in and out of the team failing to hold down a starting role. Our two back-up strikers haven't set the world alight, although Walsh, in our opinion, needs a good run in the first team, while Wardy has been afflicted by the same disease as Austin Friel, the inability to score goals, even missing sitters like Austie did during his tenure at the Showgrounds. With Gavin Melaugh serving a one game ban, Aiden Watson could get the nod in centre-midfield, while we won't be surprised if Gav holds down the central defensive pairing alongside Archie Stewart. Someone must be found to partner Kevin Kelbie up front and it's a toss-up between, Wardy and Walsh (we somehow don't think Roy will have the 'belief' to go with W.K.D. attack), but then again he might as well, after all we've got nothing to lose. So come on Sky Blue fans, get your asses down to Lurgan and come on Sky Blues, let's shag (not literally we hasten to add), those Mourneviewers!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Shoot 'Stute!

It's shoot on site for United's strikers and midfielders in tomorrow's match at home to Institute. The time for defensive tactics is over, let's go out with a 'bang' we at 'Sport say, we've tried to play the game, but they won't let us. With the United manager being forced to make at least three changes for tomorrow's game, the two Watson's out, Albert injured, Aiden suspended for one game and likely to face a further ban for accumulating 30 points and top scorer Neal Teggart out injured, the time is ripe for United;s 'fringe' strikers to stake a claim for a starting role. Mike Ward, Paul McNeill and Davitt Walsh are the three vying for Teggart's position, while Joe McDonnell seems to be the obvious replacement for Aiden Watson in midfield. We, the Sport's team, would like to see Gary Haveron back in centre midfield as Gavin Melaugh needs a proven ball winner alongside him and let's run with the other 'Gavin' McDonnell in centre defence alongside Archie Stewart, let's face it, we've got nothing to lose. So it's all systems go for 3 points tomorrow, so come on United, let's shag those Foylesiders!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Swift Response!

United have a great chance to bounce back with a win that would lift them off the bottom of the Premier league table, when they travel to Dungannon tomorrow. Admittedly Stangmore Park has not been a 'happy hunting ground' for the Sky Blues in recent seasons, but it's getting to that stage where wins are almost vital if United are to haul themselves away from the relegation trap door. Manager Walker has a full panel to pick from and will no doubt consider including former Swifts old boys, Mike Ward and Tommy Wray in his final 16 players. Wardy gave the manager a gentle nudge when scoring a hat-trick for the reserves recently, while Wray came on and performed admirably in United's previous away fixture, a 2-1 victory at the Oval in the C.I.S.cup 1st round. Unfortunately victory wasn't enough to see the Sky Blues through to the next stage of the competition, but they battled well nonetheless and require another similar performance tomorrow at Dungannon. Hopefully the United fans will get out of their armchairs and come along to give the team their backing, but if not they'll just have to soldier on with the dedicated few. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Tyronians!

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Unlimited Sky!

United go into this their first ´Sky´match with a full strength panel to choose from. Will United manager Roy Walker tinker with the line-up which brought United only their 2nd away victory this year. Or will he work on the old adage ´horses for courses´after having Gerry Flynn´s men watched in previous games. The canny West Belfast man predicted and crafted United´s victory at the Oval last Tuesday night and another tomorrow night in front of the Sky cameras would help immensly in United´s push up the table. Hopefully they´ll be one or two more witnesses in attendance and hopefully the right result will be achieved. So come on Sky Blues, let´s shag those south down boys!

Monday, November 03, 2008

All Oval!

If we're to believe all that's written in the papers, or printed on Teletext, it's all over for United in tomorrow night's game in the C.I.S. cup, as they trail by 3-1. On 'paper' and given the placings in the league of the two teams, Glens at the top, ourselves at the bottom, we'd have to agree. But less than twelve months ago, in fact exactly to the day, 44 short weeks, United went to the Oval as 'lambs to the slaughter' and came away with a fully deserved 4-2 victory. It was a 'herculean' effort by the Sky Blues that day and another one is required for tomorrow night if we are to have any chance of getting to the next phase of this competition. To the best of our knowledge all of Saturday's panel came through unscathed, although there's a slight doubt about Aiden Watson, who had to come off late against the Reds. If Aiden fails to make the line-up, Tommy Burke or Tommy Wray are waiting in the wings to take his place. The flying Scotsman, Kevin Kelbie will fly in tomorrow and we expect him to line-up alongside Neal Teggart and after two games where their partnership failed to bring a score (Teggart didn't figure against the Glens last week) surely they should set that record straight tomorrow night. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Townies!