Open Heart!

United manager Roy Walker must be astounded at developments over the last few days. First we had the Hanly and Gibson bombshells plus the on-going Michael Smith saga, but now suddenly we find ourselves with four new players on the books and there's still a couple of days to go in the transfer window. Roy said he might look for a couple of players in the transfer window, he was just looking to perform a wee operation, but it has turned into 'open heart surgery' instead. Rumour has it that Paul McAreavey is still short of fitness and won't make his debut tomorrow, while the terms of new striker Aaron Boyd's loan deal from parent club Linfield, means he can take no part tomorrow either. Neil McCafferty though should be available but we expect him to start on the bench.

Walker could do worse than pair Captain Gazza, with George Young in central midfield and continue with the ploy of Murray on the right and Colligan on the left. With Cutch and Andy upfront it'll be interesting to see if Roy selects Michael Smith at rightback or takes Omar's advice and gives the want-away a rest. Sparky of course is the natural replacement, but for all we know Walker may want to convert Ru McClean into another Joe Gray. A couple of things though will need to be worked on before tomorrow's game, who takes the free kicks, the corners and in Gibson's absence any penalties awarded. Not that we expect to get any penalties tomorrow as they're mighty hard, if not impossible, to get when you visit Windsor Park, hopefully though we won't need them.

The sad news that keeper Dwayne Nelson will miss the rest of the season may work in favour of back-up custodian Ryan Brown. Ryan was given the job at the start of the season but lost it after a couple of games and then injured his hand and allowed Dwayne to establish himself. When he did come back he dropped a real 'clanger' against tomorrow's opponents and then another against the Crues back on November 27 and that means he has being playing catch-up ever since. But now the 'football gods' have given him a chance to redeem himself and hopefully he'll grab it with both hands (and the ball as well), when the opportunity arises, anyway we wish him well. Tomorrow's game is going to be tough, we are playing the league champions in their backyard. 95% of all decisions will go against us and we'll have to keep our discipline, but we can do it. So come on Sky Blues, let's show Hanly, Gibson and Smith that though they may be 'rats', we're no sinking ship. In short lads, let's shag those Townie boys!