Panel Gutted!

United had a full panel of fit players to select from last Tuesday, but after the game at Dungannon, we have four players out injured and two others unavailable due to being selected for the under-23s, what a difference four days make. Albert Watson was on the end of yet another vicious attack from Timmy Adamson, once again missed by the referee. Big Timmy raked his boot into Albert's face and he required 7 stitches to the gaping wound. Albert, who already has a plate in his jaw, thanks to an elbow from Gault of Linfield (again unpunished by the referee), must wonder what's going to happen to him next, while referee's and Linesmen turn a blind eye. Video evidence is not allowed in the Irish league or to be more precise, completely ignored as we know only too well.

Dwayne Nelson will probably continue in goal for the Sky Blues (despite his gaffe for the first goal at Dungannon on Tuesday night, reportedly), as Ogers has been selected for the under-23s. As for central defence it's perm any two from the three of Sparky, Archie and Gazza. Due to the shortage of personnel United could start with two wingers in midfield or maybe Andy Smith will be pushed onto the left wing once more, allowing Cushley to partner Anderson in the centre. One thing's for sure, after their capitulation to Dungannon for the 3rd time this season, United badly need to get a win under their belts tomorrow against Newry City, another team they haven't beaten this term.

We need the three points in order to put some daylight between ourselves and tomorrow's opponents as our next league opponents will be bottom club Lisburn Distillery on Tuesday March 9, if there is no cup replay. This will be followed by a visit from the much improved Portadown who are striving for a possible top six position, it doesn't get any easier does it? It's time for our well paid stars to earn their wages, Gazza needs to lead by example, maybe if he can, the rest will follow. It's all up for grabs now, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Newry sheep!

Quiet Lambs!

What a strange atmosphere awaits our team at the 'strangely' named Stangmore Park, Dungannon, tomorrow night, weather permitting. United fans have intimated their intention to boycott this game in protest at the false accusations levelled at us regarding racial chanting. We at 'Sport (us three), have decided to support this call for non-support, although it will be a difficult pill to swallow, but swallow it we must. We will however not be attending the reserve game at the Showgrounds, as it is not a 'home game' for us (based 30 miles from Ballymena as we are), but we are hoping to attend the 'legends' night on Wednesday. What a treat it promises to be for Omar, who says Norman Clarke knows him personally (in his dreams) and Eddie Russell is his all time favourite player.

As for the team for tomorrow night's game, we just don't have a clue, but imagine Saturday's selection will get the 'nod' again as a win is vital for us in our attempt to move up the league standings. Chris Ramsay is serving the second game of his 2 game ban, but as far as we know everyone else is available. Dungannon will have to manage without star striker Timmy Adamson and former United defender Craig McClean, who are both suspended. Adamson is usually a thorn in the flesh in these games, but United will have to avoid complacency due to his absence as they strive for the three points. Even though we won't be there in body we will be there in spirit, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Tyronians!

White Time!

United travel to Ballyskeagh tomorrow with Chris Ramsay still missing through suspension. We don't know if manager Roy Walker will persist with Gazza and Albert in central defence, or if he will revert to Archie and Albert, releasing our Captain into his central midfield role. Gazza's ball winning qualities were sorely missed in midfield last Tuesday night, but he did dovetail perfectly with 'man of the match' Albert in a solid defensive display. Gary Muir will be returning to his old stamping ground tomorrow and hopefully this will give him an edge and hopefully he can continue with his good form. He has really settled in quickly since signing for the Sky Blues and already looks like one of Walker's more astute signings. If Gazza returns to midfield it may mean Gavin Taggart returning to the bench, but it will only be a temporary thing we think.

Mike Smith and Lee Colligan, two ever presents in the United team, owe their presence in the team solely to Roy Walker. Just a little over a year ago he plucked Mike from Ballyclare Comrades, while he gave Lee a baptism of fire against Linfield in September 2009. These are the sort of decisions managers must make if they are to succeed and Walker definitely has the courage of his convictions. While many United fans are calling for the inclusion of David Cushley, Walker stands firm and prefers to bring him on as a sub, if at all. That's how we expect it will be tomorrow, but Walker may give a debut to young striker Mackers, who came off the bench on Tuesday night to good effect.

But whoever gets the nod tomorrow, they best be up for it, as the 'Whites' are fighting for their premier league existence. Their manager Tommy Wright, formerly at the Showgrounds, has targeted four wins out of their next seven games, starting with a victory tomorrow. For that reason we will have to be at our best, confident after beating both Cliftonville and Glenavon, but not overconfident. There's 3 precious points up for grabs which could take us closer to a possible top six finish and all the potential money earners, with Linfield, Glentoran and Coleraine all due to visit the Showgrounds. So come on Sky Blues, let's strive towards that goal, Let's shag those Lambeggars!

Dress Rehearsal!

United face their opponents in the next round of the Irish cup, Glenavon, at the showgrounds tomorrow night in a postponed league game, with vital points at stake. Anyone who attends tomorrow night's game thinking it has no bearing on the cup encounter, think again. We're not saying that whoever wins tomorrow night, if any team does, will win the cup-tie, but it will put them in a vary strong position. United manager Roy Walker will have to ring the changes, with Ramsay suspended and Gary Muir eligible once more we can envisage at least two, but we wonder will he restore Andy Smith, free from suspension, in his line-up also or peresevere with the 'budding' strike partnership of Kelbie and Sparky.

Cushley we feel missed a glorious chance to play himself back into the team with Muir's unavailability on Saturday and he may have to settle for a place on the bench this time. Locky is another player who may be recalled for this important game, hopefully Glenavon's last at the Showgrounds this season, barring a cup replay. The veteran midfielder had a well earned rest on Saturday, but his experience will be vital over the coming weeks as United mount a push for a top six finish. Three points are vital tomorrow night if that quest is to continue, a draw would not be a complete disaster, but it would dent our hopes somewhat, a defeat is unthinkable. With that in mind it's all systems go for tomorrow night's game, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Mourne Viewers!

Ball(in) Breakers!

United need to be in ruthless mode tomorrow when they take on Ballinamallard in the 2nd round of the Irish cup, or else they will come a cropper. Tomorrow isn't about nice clean crisp football, all that matters is the victory, pretty or ugly, it makes no difference. Andy Smith, having served his six game ban for an attempted head-butt, is available for selection but manager Roy Walker may give the former Portadown player a place on the bench and say 'same again' to his starting line-up of Tuesday night. That of course is assuming that we have no new injuries, Chris Ramsay did seem to pick up a bit of a knock, but he is a fast healer.

Let's hope the players have come down to the ground after outplaying league leaders Cliftonville last Tuesday, as we need t be fully focused tomorrow. We confess to knowing nothing re-Ballinamallard, except that former Linfield player Andy Crawford is among their players. Have no doubts this team will be up for this game as they would like nothing better than to embarrass the Sky Blues and we badly need to get to the next round of this premier competition. As any United fan can tell you, 1989 was a long time ago, 21 years to be precise and our name on the 'cup' once more is long overdue. But let's not get carried away, first things first as they say, memories of the Ards match are fairly fresh in the mind and a repeat performance tomorrow would be hard to bear.

Hopefully big Gary and Roy will have down their work behind the scenes and the sky Blues will come out like they did on Tuesday night, firing from the hip. Unfortunately Johnny McLaughlin isn't eligible for this game having played for his previous club Mosside in an earlier round, as this would have been an ideal game for him to 'cut his United teeth', so to speak. To the best of our knowledge Gary Muir, who has made an emphatic start to his United career is eligible to play and if he can continue on the vein of form he has shown in his first two games, he looks to have a bright future in Sky Blue colours.

Will the manager restore Seven Towers supporters club, 'player of the month', Ogers to nets after he kept us in the competition in our previous Irish cup game against Ards, with three magnificent stops or go with the rejuvenated Dwayne Nelson, who has played in our last two games. That dear friends is anybody's guess, but one thing's clear, whoever gets the nod will have to perform at their best, or it will be curtains for us. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Erner's!

Red(dy) Reckoning!

The high flying Reds, league leaders at present, visit the Showgrounds for a postponed game tomorrow night, weather permitting. Both of United's flying Scotsmen will be coming in for this game as United seek to claw themselves clear of the bottom fringes of the table. Chris Ramsay and Noel Anderson should be back in contention for a starting role having served their automatic bans for their dismissal against the 'scum'. United snatched a draw at Drumaho on Saturday when they should've taken all three points and will need to show full commitment tomorrow night or else they'll fall further behind in the race for the top six position.

In fact it may well be beyond us already, as after tomorrow night's game we'll have only 3 other games against the 'likely top six and all away from home. Hopefully the boys will be fully focused on tomorrow's game and not thinking about our match will Ballnamallard in the Irish cup on Saturday, a cup run would be nice, but league points are vital just now. Will the manager continue with his ploy of Surgenor and Kelbie as his striking force or will he give a starting role to big Nathan against his former club, your guess is as good as ours. Nath looked good when he came on at Drumaho, as did the Cush, but our manager seems to have other ideas and we have to accept that as he is the boss.

The visitors, who rarely bring any sort of travelling support, will have to be accommodated in the 'home' stand as work progresses on the visitors stand and it will be a headache for our stewards as they attempt to keep the peace. This may well possibly be our last game against the Reds this season, unless we make the top six and it would be nice to have beaten them twice in the season, if we can somehow raise our game tomorrow night. The referee for tomorrow night's game will be former United player, Dessie 'chicken' Loughery and unless he's changed (which we doubt), he'll make no controversial decisions, hopefully he'll have none to make. Let's also hope the Sky Blues come out firing on all cylinders tomorrow night, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those townies!

Muir Cure!

United manager Roy Walker has signed former Lisburn Distillery midfielder Gary Muir in a bid to spice up the United midfield. We need to start taking our chances as we seek to climb clear of the relegation trap-door. Muir is the the type of player who we need, if he can show the form he did when playing for the Whites, with 9 goals to his credit last season. United go into tomorrow's game without at least three first team players as, Ramsay, Anderson and Andy Smith are still suspended, while there are fitness doubts surrounding quite a few others. United should have encountered this fixture as their 29th game, which would've given a clearer picture as to the relegation shake-up, but due to the four postponements it comes along a little earlier than planned.

That doesn't make it any less vital for United to get something from the fixture at a ground where they either do quite well or are diabolical. Last time we were there we were diabolical losing the 1st leg of the C.I.S. cup and it's true to say we haven't improved any since that game. Up until the Glentoran match 2 weeks ago we seemed to have sorted our defending out (or lack of it to be more precise), but all the bad habits came back with a bang in that game. Hopefully we won't be so benevolent tomorrow as another abysmal showing would plunge us right into the mire.

The wage bill has now been trimmed somewhat, still not enough to free up money for a new striker, but enough to let us get our finances in order. That should allow our manager to get on with the task in hand, winning games and putting points on the board. We have an important cup game next week when Ballnamallard visit the Showgrounds, but in our opinion tomorrow's game must be the top priority. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Drumaho yins!