Night Hunters!

Its league cup time tomorrow night as United entertain Portadown, in the quarter-finals, kick-off 19-45. Ironically Ports are the last team we beat in the Dankse Premiership at the Showgrounds and the same scoreline, 2-1, would do very nicely. Not that our nerves could stand the same finish as United came from behind to snatch the points, as new signing MM, came on as a sub and scored a debut goal and then won a penalty, which Ally duly converted and United took the points. We at 'Sport think United can do it if they truly believe in themselves. No doubt about it, we are playing well, creating a few chances, but not scoring and that will find you out every time.

Will Spike go with two strikers tomorrow night? It's anybody's guess, we think, we were imploring him to go with two strikers last Saturday, but alas all our pleas fell on deaf ears. At least he rested Marky, but we at 'Sport are of the opinion he has to rest another player, his Captain Jenks, in order to get the best out of our team. With ten minutes to go last Saturday, Jenks looked dead on his feet and we think it would best if he is rested tomorrow night. Thommo and Sparky played the 'shirt of their backs' on Saturday and if Fergie is bold and goes for a 4,4,2 formation, with Cush and Ally on the wings and Mario and Liggie up front, Sparky and Thommo could be in the centre of midfield.

Our back four didn't cover themselves in glory last week, but its the best four we have got and with a fit again Dwayne restored to goals, we should be able to keep tabs on the Ports strikers. As the Ports have a potent striking force, in Braniff, Twig and Murray, might Spike be tempted to play three at the back, drafting in Archie and resting one of his two wide men, but it would be a gamble to take. Decisions, decisions, who would be a manager? It seems there is no shortage of lads who want to take on the manager's job, given the lively comments of the United forum, but nobody has come up with any solutions yet.

The trouble with Ballymena is, we think we are a 'big' club, but in reality we are not, but we have the potential to be a 'big' club. The board seem to have given Spike his head and hope he has the ability to turn our season round, but we need to start scoring goals. Where better to start than in tomorrow night's game. Ports very philosophy is to attack and we must exploit the gaps left behind when they are on attack. If our midfield can get their passing game going, then we have a chance to get into their box and create chances, but if we lie back and not compete for the ball, they will punish us relentlessly. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those apple pickers!