Think Positive!

United go into this first Dankse Premier league match with four players missing through suspensions,Rodgers, Kane, Gary Thompson and Gavin Taggart, added to this Alan D and Ross Black are injured along with long term absentee Denver Gage. If that's not enough Sparky, who otherwise would be an automatic choice to replace Gavin or Kane, has cried off to go to wedding. We are a professional outfit supposedly, we are playing in the top league in our wee country and Sparky misses the big kick-off because of a wedding. Is Sparky really committed to the cause, or does he think he's still playing amateur league and no doubt about it, he's given our management team a huge headache.

With no obvious right-back and Sparky absent, Spike has to find a suitable replacement, he could play young Reid or Vaulsey could switch over and Archie could cover at leftback, but then he needs a holding midfielder, Sparky again absent, in order to free Jenks to back up our attack. So you see Sparky, our utility man, is the key but that door will remain closed tomorrow. With Cushley and Ally playing on the flanks there may be an opening for Corey Price in centre-midfield and we are sure he will grab the opportunity with both hands (maybe that's not a perfect analogy),if selected. If Archie is drafted in at leftback, that will mean a recall for Cookie Munster, to partner Johnny Taylor in central defence.

Dwayne has been our number one keeper in the season just passed and we fell he will keep his place, but maybe big Wes will have other ideas, we'll have to wait and see. Despite a frantic search in the close season,we haven't replaced Cutch and we will be relying on Baker and Elvis to deliver the goods, goalscoring wise. They haven't set the world alight it has to be said, in pre-season, but Elvis missed a huge chunk of it with a thigh injury. But we at 'Sport haven't seen them gel and it's vitally important for our cause that they do. We are normally optimistic for the new season, but we can't help thinking we might be sitting ducks for a slick moving Linfield team with something to prove. But we'll try to remain positive, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those village people!