Sky Blue Sport News

Friday, January 29, 2016

Skeleton Squad!

The Sky Blues travel to Fernery Park tomorrow to face the Ducks, with a decimated squad, missing 4 players through suspension . In addition to Tony, sent off for allegedly bringing Smyth of Linfield down in the box last week, Captain Jimer, JT and Gavin are missing. As well as that, at least two players face fitness tests, so you see we are down to the bare bones.

In the absence of Tony and Jimer and Jimer's likely replacement, JT, it will be interesting to see who we play at rightback and alongside Paddy in central defence. Our manager Spike, could drop Jenks back to partner Paddy or if he thinks local lad Caolan Loughran, is fit enough, he could get his first senior outing since he signed in early January.

But if Owen Kane, hasn't recovered from the knee injury he suffered last week, Spike will maybe have to call up a reserve player to replace Tony, at rightback and if Willie's, not passed fit, he'll have another problem in midfield. But that's not all we have to worry about, with the weather people forecasting strong winds and wintry conditions, there may not be a game in the first place.

On the face of it that may not be a bad thing, for the two clubs have an idle Saturday on the first Saturday in February (next Saturday, Irish cup day), because they were both knocked out in the Irish cup 1st round. It would give our players who are struggling with injuries another week to heal, but on the minus side, Jenks, will be suspended then as well.

So the old saying rings true, 'it never rains but it pours' and The Sky Blues and we suspect the home team, will want this match to go ahead, if its humanly possible. The Ducks have been active in the transfer window and signed 5 players, the pick of them being Ivan Sproule, ex-Linfield and Stephen O'Flynn, who is on loan from the Crues, having signed a pre-contract with the Glens for next season.

It will be doubly tough for United, with at least four players missing, through suspension and Ducks striving to get the first win since the end of October. But the Sky Blues need the points just as much, if they are to keep their forlorn dream of getting into the fabled top six a reality, in short we can't afford to lose, but it will be mighty hard.

We at 'Sport think Spike, has to start Tippers and young Matty, in a 4,4,2, formation if he wants to take all three points, or play a 4,4,1,1, formation, if he wants to get a point, playing Cush, in behind either young Matty, or Tippers, with Darhen in reserve. Its going to be tough, but we got to dig in, so come on Sky Blues, lets pluck those Ducks!