No Quarter!

The fat controller, David Jeffrey, comes up against four former Linfield players tomorrow night, Spike, Lee, Norman and big Wes. Normally this would be a chance to catch up and see how they're are doing, but it's not a normal situation tomorrow night. This is a knock-out match, played to a finish and the victor has a semi-final to look forward to and the loser has to pick himself and his team up for the other two meetings that lie ahead on 24 & 27 November or end up with egg on his face. Naturally we, the Sky Blue Sport's team, hope it's the fat Davey who's going away dejected and Spike, our leader, who has emerged triumphant. United are playing well at the moment, but we sure Spike and the boys will not underestimate the task that lies ahead of us when we take on the league champions. It would have been nice to have a fully fit squad, but we expect to be missing at least three of our stars, Cush who is suspended, Johnny Taylor injured and Captain Jenks who is nearing fitness, but will miss all the games against the IFA.

Sky Blue Sport is going to try and second-guess Spike and forecast which team he will start tomorrow night. We will miss Cush, for he is our outlet when we have to resort to the high ball and for this reason we think that Alan D wont start and Sparky will and Jamie will get the nod to replace Cush on the left. We will lose Alan D's undoubted skill, but we reckon it will be a midfield battle tomorrow night and better to have Sparky, Gavin and Thommo all complemented each other, all different styles, than to have two of the same. Jamie looked good when he came on in the 2nd half and we expect him to start, but Elvis also looked good and we won't be surprised if he gets the nod in place of Jimmy Mac or the under-performing Ally. Ally had four clear-cut chances on Friday night at Stangmore Park and he also hit a weak penalty, but if he could've converted the penalty, there might be no axe hanging over his head.

The back four seems to pick itself but Archie needs to assert himself early on, he can't get away with letting the Linfield forwards have easy headers, as he did at Dung on Friday. Ross Black, who has come in for some criticism over the past number of games, not through ourselves you understand, needs to continue in the same vein as he did on Friday night. Tony Kane, who is beginning to look like a player, needs to keep a tight rein on his temper for the IFA players will be out to try and get him riled, a perfectly legitimate ploy to our mind and Cookie needs to do what he does best, clear his lines. Was it Rudyard Kipling who said or was reported to have said, 'if you can keep your head my son, when all round are losing theirs, then you will have become a man', for United players and their management team this should be the watchword. It's promises to be a mammoth encounter, let's hope we have the strength and skill to pull through, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those villagers and you will become men in the progress!