Marking Time!

After the 'Roy Walker' era, United find themselves 'marking time' till a new manager is appointed. The board, in their wisdom, have appointed Joe McCall, who was Kenny Shiels assistant-manager and before that reserve manager. We'll not go into detail about Joe's shortcomings, it's not important and anyway our board tend to see things with 'rose coloured' spectacles, in short they have trouble remembering the facts. But enough said, Joe is in charge of our team until further notice, realistically the next four matches, which could make or break our season.

We feel sure Joe will not tinker with the team too much, they were decidedly unlucky not to get something for their efforts on Tuesday night. They were undone by a bad refereeing decision and a clanger from a keeper low in confidence. Joe's hand could be forced if Dicky Vauls is injured, then he'd have to make a decision on whether he plays Woods and Kane, or calls up Rodgers and moves Archie to leftback. Of course Joe has experience of the versatile Sparky and may play him at rightback or in midfield. Based on Tuesday night's performance, he could keep Jenks on the bench and continue with Sparky and Downey in centre midfield. One of the undoubted successes on Tuesday was the form showing by teenager Neil Lowry. Sky blue Sport's Bruce Balmer, came within a whisker of naming him 'man of the match', so we hope Joe remembers him in his plans, a place on the bench at least.

Glentoran come to the Showgrounds tomorrow a depleted team, like ourselves they blow hot and cold, but they usually do well away from home and they usually triumph at the Showgrounds. Gary Hamilton, still the best striker around is absent from their line-out, having 'bought' his contract (he was rumoured to be on £1,500 a week, we reckon the Glens were only too happy to tear it up) and our old friend Richard Gibson we feel sure will try to step up to mark. It will be the job of the United midfield to try and stop the supply to Gibbo and to try to get a telling a ball to the 'goal machine', Cutch, in order for him to add to his 22 goals this season, 17 in the league. We wonder how the team feel about the manager resigning, they should take some of the blame, but it would be a fitting tribute if they come and win tomorrow's game, come Sky Blues, let's show a United front,only believe one more time!