Sky Blue Sport News

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Fat Trimmers!

It's a new year tomorrow and United's first resolution is to 'trim the fat' and they can make a start with the 'fat controller', aka Linfield manager David Jeffrey. The bigoted Jeffrey has been stirring the 'pot' all week by leaking news that he has signed United keeper Alan Blaney and wants to sign top scorer Neal Teggart, but you don't fool us Davey, all you're trying to do is break our team spirit, but it won't wash. United manager Roy Walker is much too wily an old fox to let himself be fooled by an upstart like Jeffrey, he knows that the Linfield bigot is trying to reflect attention away from the shortcomings of his own under-performing players. The team news for United is not good, with stand-in Captain Stuarty King out with a broken ankle and his purported replacement Phillip Carson's loan deal from Glentoran being rescinded, the manager is down to the bare bones of his squad. In a move to bolster his injury hit squad Walker has sought permission to talk to former United player Paul Muir and if he gets him United's fans will have to come to terms with Muir's part in the 'Lamb Shank' fiasco (still fresh in our minds) and put it behind them, welcoming him back into the fold. It's unlikely Muir would be available for tomorrow's game anyway and with the 'Cush' passed fit it's a straight choice between Liam Mullan and Ryan Deans, assuming all other players are fit. Manager Walker would not be drawn on whether he would omit Alan Blayney from his starting line-up if it transpired that he had held talks with the 'fat' controller, or indeed any Linfield official, without notifying our club. It was nice to see the large number of fans at the Showgrounds on Boxing Day (biggest competitive gate in recent history)and hopefully there'll be a decent turn-out for tomorrow's game at Windsor Park. Here we go once again, it's all systems go for another three points, come on United, let's shag those villagers!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Platt Swat!

United go into tomorrow's derby match with the Coleraine scum on the back of four straight wins, while the scum have accumulated four straight losses, but as is usual in these games, form means nothing. Tomorrow's game is all about passion and about giving 'your all' for the cause, in other words the sort of display United have put in over the last four games. To the best of our knowledge (we haven't a bloody clue), United have no injury worries for the game and if that is the case, it'll be up to the United manager who he omits from Saturday's starting line-up, or if he continues with his 3,5,2 formation or reverts back to a 4,4,2. Whatever happens, the one thing that's certain, anyone who plays will know they've been in a match and after all that's all we ask. United manager Roy Walker will have to decide in the next week if he wants to keep his 7 players on the transfer list, as the January transfer window is looming. Gavin McDonnell, Aiden Watson, Tommy Wray and Mike Ward have all done enough in the last few games to make the manager think again, while the 'injury prone' Davitt Walsh has been unfortunate enough to pick up another injury. But that's all in the future, first things first and tomorrow is one of the 'biggest' games of the year and we envisage just one outcome, a victory for United over the Coleraine scum. So come on Sky Blues, let's give those Bannsiders the Boxing Day blues, in short, let's shag that scum!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Glen Gar(R)y!

The Glengarry is the name of the Scottish bonnet and with our close links to that country, we at 'Sport can think of no more apt rallying call for tomorrow's game against league leaders Glentoran. But in our case it's a two word call Glen for the green glen of the Braid valley and 'Gary' for team Captain Gary Haveron, so cruelly laid low with a broken shin bone. Through all our trials and tribulations this season, the one bright beacon was the 'never say die' attitude of the big Larne man. He led the team by example, whatever he was called on to do he did it and we are gonna miss him really badly and we're gonna miss his leadership qualities most of all. Manger Roy Walker not only needs a replacement for Gary the player, he also needs a replacement for Gary the team Captain. After due thought and consideration (two bottles of white wine), we think the best candidate is Stuarty King. Stuarty's form has been good recently and we believe that he will revel in the added responsibility of team Captain and where better to start than at the Oval. Now for a guess at team selection, assuming everyone's fit it's a case of bringing in Tommy Wray and going for three at the back or going with either young Ryan Deans or Liam Mullan in midfield. Mike Ward, the two goal hero from last week should hold his place up front with 'King Kevin' Kelbie, who usually enjoys a trip back to his old 'stamping' ground. So it's all systems go for three more points tomorrow, come on United, let's shag those Bally ma carrots!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Lovely Time!

'Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor', goes the old song and hopefully United fans will be singing that on their way home tomorrow night. We have a chance tomorrow to record a third win in a row, but it's going to be a tough ask against one of the form teams in the league at present. The 'bad news' for United fans is that Boydie has been passed fit, but it will give us a chance to compare young Lee Colligan against the man we still like to think of as ours. We wonder if manager Roy Walker will be tempted to say same again, continuing with his 3,5, 2 formation and leaving Kevin on the bench. There is an unconfirmed report that Kevin is still suspended anyway but we're sure manager Walker will check that out before naming his panel. Davitt Walsh looks set for a longish run in the first team as Neal Teggart could be out for a considerable time and in fact may not play again this season. This return to winning ways for the Sky Blues has been achieved without top scorer Teggart and two defensive stalwarts from last season, Albert Watson and Craig McLean. McClean has in fact only made 7 first team appearances this term and hasn't played first team football for exactly two months. We at 'Sport are still not convinced about Gavin McDonnell, he seems okay in the air but his distribution with his feet is diabolical and he kept us on tenterhooks last Tuesday night as time and again he played us into trouble with poor clearances in the closing stages of the game. But he is the man in possession at the moment and alongside Aaron Stewart and Tommy Wray, they have given us some stability at the back. One thing we can depend on tomorrow is that that 'wily old fox', Marty Quinn, will have his team fired up for this game and will want to put one over on the Sky Blues. So come on United, let's shag those Bangor Bunnies!

Friday, December 05, 2008

King Richard!

It's Crusade time for United tomorrow, when the modern day Crusaders come to town determined to crush the wee Sky Blues. United's injury list shows no sign of abating and the latest casualty team Captain Gary Haveron is doubtful after picking up a leg injury in last week's victory at Mourneview Park. On the plus side Gavin Melaugh has served his one game suspension and may come in if Haveron is ruled out. Striker Kevin Kelbie is serving a one game suspension and manager Walker must decide if he should go with Davit Walsh and either Paul McNeil or Mike Ward or maybe something completely different. It will also be interesting to see if he sticks to the three at the back formation which brought United only their fourth win in all competitions this term. United need to unearth a modern day King Richard in order to halt the Crusaders juggernaut and who better than the inspirational and aptly named Stuarty 'King' who can lead them to victory tomorrow. Stuarty had his best ever game in a Sky Blue shirt last week, scoring one and setting up the other two goals, as well as having an inspirational day in midfield. Needless to say yet another likewise performance is required tomorrow if United are to continue their Crusade of climbing off the foot of the table. Tomorrow is United's last but one home game of 2008 (the other is against a nameless team from the 'smelly' town) and they are hosting yet another Corporate dinner, so three points would be the 'icing on the cake'. It won't be easy, but it is possible, 'only believe'. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those toothless tigers!