Dolan Debut!

United travel to Dungannon tomorrow to take on the Swifts and new signing Shane Dolan is expected to start for the Sky Blues, as for the rest of United's team, it's anybody's guess. Our two centre backs, Cookie and Archie, are extremely doubtful and Archie has hinted on twitter that he'll be out at least a couple of weeks. We may be forced to start with Rodgers and Sparky in central defence, but we could do with Sparky in midfield to replace Gavin who has to serve a one game ban for his stupid sending-off on Saturday. Failing that we may have to bring a reserve player on, Eoin Gillan for example, being a likely contender, or Spike could have a rethink and recall Neil Lowry or is that too late, as he was rumoured to be starting a loan spell at first division Ards. Playing Lowry would mean us playing a midfield lacking in ball winners and that's what we need in abundance against the Swifts. Maybe Spike will think of starting Jenks at central defence and release Sparky to cover for Gavin, decisions, decisions, who would want to be a football manager?

The word on the forums is for King Billy to get a start, to provide some much needed ammunition for the new striker, Dolan. We've been crying out for a striker since the start of the season, but he isn't going to be any use if we can't get the ball up to him. The Swifts have lost their last three league games and they'll be out for revenge having suffered a reverse against us in early November and to get their season rolling again. So it's going to be a tough fixture and truth to be told, we always find tough at Stangmore Park, so why should tomorrow be any different. The Swifts will be minus a couple of players also, Topley and Fitzpatrick, both serving a one game ban and maybe the result will hinge on who has the most fully fit players. We would like to tell you we have a strong referee for this game, but we cannot lie, it's the Dungannon native Mark 'ham shank' Courtney. This official needs no introduction to Sky Blue fans, but we can only hope he has an off-day tomorrow. Its in our hands, so come on Sky Blues, lets shag those chicken packers!

Cup Finals!

United go into this game which marks two-thirds of the pre-split league, 22 games played and 11 to play, 9 points adrift of the top six. Nine points are nothing if you are playing well, but if you are on a run like United are with 6 league defeats in a row, it's a mountain to climb. We have 12 games to play, starting tomorrow, before the split and we need get as many points as we can in those games, 24 points should be good enough, but we can't afford to think like that, we need the team to fight for every ball as if their lives depended on it, then and only then can they say they gave their best shot. We need to treat every match as if it was a cup final, no shirking tackles, no hiding when there's throw-ins to be taken and above all getting into the danger areas in our opponents box.

We have just suffered at the hands our derby rivals, the Coleraine scum, but that match is history now, tomorrow's match is a clean slate and we need a monumental effort from players who have been only going through the motions in the last six league games. The players to a man talk about the great facilities at the Showgrounds, but on their last six displays in the league they don't deserve them, maybe we should get a prefab converted for them, with no hot water and basic changing facilities, that would harden them, we think. As for team news, we know Tony Kane is available again, but Alan D is still injured, so it's down to the same panel of players. We, the loyal fans deserve an apology, but the best apology would be to see the team put in 100% effort, if that's not good enough, so be it, but please try your eye-strings out.

You are living the dream for us fans, don't let us down, you already showed us you have the skill, but have you got the stamina for a fight? According to reports there's one, or possibly three new faces coming in at the January transfer window, so some of you are playing for your very contracts, so give it your best shot. When Spike calls you into his office on next Monday night, you'll want to have a recent good match to fight your cause, not the abject crap you've been playing in league matches in the last seven weeks. We've had our fair share of injuries in the last month or two, but then all teams get injuries and it's how we cope with them that makes us a stronger unit, but at the minute we aren't coping well. It's been a pretty miserable Christmas so far, lets not make it any worse, come on Sky Blues, lets shag those Lisburn ewes!

Bum Scum!

We've been looking for two words that sum tomorrows opponents the Coleraine scum and we think we've found them in 'bum scum'. That headline sums up our rival from the North-West succinctly in our opinion, they're most definitely bums and they're are scum, end of story. United go into this derby racked with injuries and suspensions, depriving them of at least two midfielders and the Seven Towers supporters player of month for November, fullback Tony Kane. As with the Glens match which was postponed on last Saturday, we haven't a clue about team selection and can only guess which Spike might do. We at 'Sport think he needs to recall Dwayne in goals and it's a toss-up between Vaulsey and Rodgers for the rightback slot, the rest of the defence will be on the usual lines, of Cookie, Archie and Ross (Black), we have nobody to challenge them.

It's in midfield we are struggling at the moment and we know it's alien for Spike to think anything but 4,3,3, but surely its a case of 'horses for courses' and with that in mind we'd like to see him start a midfield four of, King Billy (Bingham), Sparky, Jenks and Cush. Cush is the backbone of our midfield and he gives support to his fullback and he can get forward and help his forwards. Now we come to the crucial picks, we were championing for Elvis to be recalled in a starting role for last Saturday's damp squib at the Oval and we unashamedly call for him to get the nod tomorrow. We have to take the game to the Coleraine scum, it's the only way we have of upsetting them, they won't expect it and as corporal Jones used to say on Dads Army, they won't like it up 'em. On the subject of who to partner Elvis we have come up with an option of Jamie in the first half and Lowry in the 2nd half.

It'd be brave decision, but fortune favours the brave and Spike was never scared to take a chance in his playing days. He already has got one up on his former playing partner, Oran 'the diving bird' Kearney, having won a senior trophy in just a year of management. We say a senior trophy, all the scum have won in their short history, is that Northwest cup, better known as the reserves cup. But all that will be forgotten tomorrow when the two lock horns to see who is the best tactician in this latest battle of wits and maybe more importantly who is celebrating with their fans at the final whistle. It goes without saying that'll we need a strong referee and we haven't a clue who it is, but all we can wish for is somebody who takes into consideration what this match means to both teams and their supporters and doesn't go flourishing yellow cards or the dreaded red cards 'willy nilly'. We all hope for a tough match, no quarter ask or given and the right result, come on Sky Blues, lets shag those Coleraine scum!

Forra Point!

There's a line in Shakespeare's Richard 3rd that goes 'my kingdom for a horse', United manager Spike could be thinking along those very lines when he names his line-up for United's match away to the Belfast Glens, but his cry will be go and win a point at least. We fans are never happy, when we were drawing all those games early on in the season, we were urging our team to go out and turn them draws into wins and now with five defeats in a row, what we wouldn't give for a draw. We haven't any news on the injury front, but hopefully we will be no worse off than last Saturday. None of our long term injured players, Alan D, Thommo and Gavin are expected to to play and there's a doubt about Cookie Munster, which means that Archie could have to switch back to defence where he is more suited. This could mean a start for Neil Lowry, alongside Sparky and Jenks, leaving Cush upfront with whoever.

Spike has tried both Jimmy Mac and Jamie in the last 2 games, only bringing on Elvis for a cameo role in the last 10 mins. By the law of averages it's surely time for Elvis to get a start and King Billy, if fit, should revel on the big Oval pitch. Of course Spike could have other ideas and may start Ally and Jimmy Mac or Jamie, but what we need is to get in to them and not let them settle. Our previous manager ,Roy Walker, enjoyed a good record at this ground, by taking the game to the Glens and this was summed up for the 'Sports team in a second leg match in the C.I.S. cup when we very nearly turned round a 4-1 deficit at the Oval, when only a handful of United fans turned up, but we gave them a fright anyway. Omar reminded us of a very old saying, 'miracles happen every day, the impossible takes a little bit longer' and we had our miracle last month at this very venue, winning the County Antrim Shield, now we need to turn the impossible into the possible and it is possible, come on Sky Blues, lets shag those wise sheep from the east (Belfast)!

Die Dog!

The shit has hit the fan as far as United is concerned,we have gone four league games and no points and it's time to put up, it's die dog or cough up the licence. The Sky Blue Sport crew are having a well earned break here in the Canary islands and when this break was planned, we were saying we're going to miss a match with United playing well. Now it doesn't seem to matter anymore, not only is United playing bad, they're are plagued by injuries. The latest in a long line of causalities is Alan D, who's going to be missing until the New Year. Thommo isn't expected back until at the earliest Boxing Day and there's no word on Gavin Taggart. The boys in the reserves and the bench are going to have to step up to the plate and be counted.

Names like Gillan and Fleming will become the norm rather than be unusual and there's going to be no hiding place for the likes of Neil Lowry who seems to blow hot and cold. There's also an opportunity for these players to establish themselves and ensure there's a real competition for places in the weeks ahead. Spike has said he wants cover for every position and wants competition for every place, but he may get this sooner than he thinks. A few short weeks ago a draw for this fixture would've been away out of question, now in the light of the last few results, it'll be heralded like a victory. A draws not out of the question but we need everybody playing full blast and dedicated to the cause. Go out and play as if your lives depended on it and let's shag the boys from County Armagh!

Hard Aport!

It's a strange title but certainly in our opinion, sums up the difficulty United are going to face tomorrow when they take on Ronnie McFall's Portadown. After an indifferent start, they are starting to improve, judging by last weeks draw with league leaders Chickenville and 'we definitely' know how difficult they can be to get points off. In ace marksman Kevin Braniff, they have a potential match-winner and he will need to be watched closely, or better still, the supply cut off to him, in short it's time for our midfielders to start doing their job. Over the last three league games they have been largely dominated and it's time they were getting their collective fingers out and doing their job. With this in mind, we reiterate what we been saying for the past number of weeks, we don't think we can afford Thommo and Alan D in the same midfield. Returning Captain, Alan Jenks is not an out and out ball-winner, but unlike Thommo and Alan D, he can adjust his game to suit what is required.

Thommo was subbed at halftime last week and we at 'Sport thought it was a tactical substitution, but it seems he had picked up an injury and maybe he'll not be fit for tomorrow, in which case Jenks would be the perfect man to take over his role in the team. Was that Elvis swan song last week at DC? We hope not, for we think he still has plenty to give the team, but he can't do it on his own, better somebody up with him, even if its only Cush or Billy, but that seems to Spike's tactics. The referee tomorrow is our old friend 'ham shank' Brian Courtney, who needs no introduction to Sky Blue fans and we feel sure he'll be as controversial as ever, there's an old saying that the 'leopard can change its spots' and that's also true about ham shank. Our two central defenders, Cookie and Archie, will need to be careful about how they tackle in the box, for Murray of Portadown is a master of the dive and ham shank has been known to fooled plenty of times.

As it is a corporate lunch tomorrow we could see a sizeable crowd and added to that the Boxing Day tickets will be on sale, for the match with the Coleraine scum, so we could see even more spectators through the gate and the County Antrim Shield might be on display too. We all know from experience how United tend to 'lie down' when they're playing in front of a big crowd, but they banished that statistic with their Shield win eleven days ago in front of 3,000 or so spectators. What a night that was and this is the teams first match back at the Showgrounds since then. In our last home match before the Chickenville debacle, we accounted for the Crues and sent them back to the city with their tails between their legs and we need to repeat the dose tomorrow and send the Ports back to the lost city of Craigavon, pointless as well. We know its going to be tough, but when its tough the tough get going, so come on Sky Blues, lets shag those apple pickers!

Let's Capitalise!

After their winning performance at the Oval in beating the IFA/Linfield in a penalty shoot-out, the victorious United return to the mundane task of garnering league points at the home of D C. United and their supporters will be able lock horns, so to speak, with an old adversary in D C manager Packy McAllister. Only last week Packy was threatening to have a clear-out of his under-performing players and it will be interesting to see what sort of a reaction he gets tomorrow. We hope the United boys aren't suffering from any illusions, D C will be looking to put one over on the trophy winners, make no mistake about that and we have to be professional and up for this as we were up for the Shield final on Tuesday night. Cookie, who had to go off injured on Tuesday may be a slight doubt, but he is as 'hard as nails' and if he is fit we would expect him to play and we expect Spike to name an unchanged team.

That would be harsh on Dwayne, but the manager and his assistants dropped Dwayne and his stand-in Stuarty Addis grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Once Stuarty saved David Armstrong's penalty on Tuesday night, we got goosebumps, we knew it was going to our night and when he saved Fordyce's kick we were in heaven and we haven't come down yet. So all things being equal we reckon we will see the same line-up tomorrow as that of Tuesday night. Spike demands loyalty from his players and he shows them loyalty in return, selecting them, even though some spectators think he must drop them. We thought he would have to change his formation on Tuesday as Alan D had a less than impressive match at Windsor, but he kept the same line-up and he was rewarded by a near perfect display from his charges, Alan D included. Selection sorted, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Suffolk ewes!

Here's Hoping!

It may sound like a strange title for the most important game for United for more than six years, but Sky Blue Sport, due to no fault of our own, has chosen this moment to go off the air. Omar got an e/mail on Friday morning to say that our 'host' had seen fit to move us to a new and better host and assured us that it had not interfered with our site, since then we haven't been able to access our site on line. In spite of incessant e/mails, we are still in limbo. But we took the decision to carry on as normal, hoping against hope that we could still be back to normal before the final, but we feel less than optimistic about the prospect. But hold on, there's a text message coming through, we believe we are saved and its all thanks to super Sammy Patterson, we had every confidence in him, sure we know he's Sky Blue through and through, is that an omen or what?

There's a star shining bright in the East (East Belfast), tomorrow night and the three wise men, Glenn Spike Ferguson, Lee Docherty and Norman Kelly are going to go there and they'll crown United King of Kings, in other words we'll beat the pants off the IFA/Linfield. Past history between the two sides this season means nothing, they played each other 3 times this season the IFA came out on top on two of these occasions, but they really lived up to their nickname of 'lucky Linfield on Saturday past when they got a penalty that never was. The IFA will rightly be favourites for this final, giving their history and their 'never say die' attitude, they have a winning mentality. But the Sky Blues have 'right' on their side, we are an honest club, no underhand dealing, no brown envelopes under the table like some we could mention, just plain good honest men trying to do what's right and the players know it and they never have to wait for their pay.

Tomorrow night the players will be asked to play the game to the best of their ability and to enjoy themselves and give their long suffering fans a night to remember. If the players give their all and we fall short, we have to live with that but we at 'Sport are going to stick our necks out and say that United will win by two clear goals. Whoever gets the nod from Spike he'll be on threshold of greatness and we at 'Sport will be hoping for the much maligned Elvis 'Susan Bap' Costello to have a hand in our victory. In the absence of Sparky last Saturday, Spike started Alan D and Thommo in midfield, we don't think he can do that tomorrow night, but if Gavin hasn't recovered from injury, maybe he will have to. He could start Rodgers at rightback and move Kane into midfield alongside Sparky, Alan D, Thommo and Cush, but that would leave no place for King Billy Bingham and he is our secret weapon.

If injured Captain Jenks reports no ill effects from his reserve outing on Saturday then he could claim a place on the bench, but again he's too like Alan D and Thommo for Spike to consider starting, in our opinion. But Spike has shown he is his own man and will have no hesitation in starting the 'young guns' if feels they can do the job. According to reports we'll have a sizeable crowd descending on East Belfast and lets hope the great unwashed are having a night in watching telly or playing bingo, we don't want any fraternisation among the natives, our boys have only one thing on their collective minds tomorrow, to cheer United on as they win the County Antrim Shield. After the match, it'll be lock up your daughters (and your sons), time as the 'sheep shaggers' will be in a party mood. We know its not going to be easy, it never is against the IFA, but come on Sky Blues you can do it, let's really shag those villagers, COSB!

Davey Again!

When we read on the official site (IFA.premiership.com),that the referee for tomorrows game was A. Davey we jumped to the wrong conclusions. We started cursing our luck of having the most incompetent ref this side of John Ferry (and that's saying something), two matches running. Davy Malcolm has been missing from the Irish league scene for a couple of years but he needed no introduction to United fans who had seen his biased refereeing tactics many, many, times before last Saturday's inept performance. Davy seems to be of the opinion that the ends justify the means, so what if you kick lumps out the opposition, if you score more goals than them it will be justified. But no we got it wrong thankfully, but on the minus side the 4th official is he of the spindly legs, none other than Colin Burns, he'll no doubt sanction our bench and at the same time let the 'fat controller' and the IFA bench away with murder. Sure that's only to be expected so to speak, we are in the lions den and we can expect no mercy.

Team news: as usual we don't have a baldies (and we're not talking about Spike's backroom staff here), opinion among Sky Blue fans seems to dictate, we will rest a few players tomorrow, but we at 'Sport would rather see Glenn pick the nucleus of the side he's going use in the final and see if we can come up with a plan to frustrate the champions. Sparky is completing the last match of his ban and Spike may have hopes of adding him to his squad or his starting eleven on Tuesday night. On top of that, our Captain Jenks, is to be given 45 minutes with the reserves tomorrow and if he doesn't suffer adverse reactions from that outing, we wouldn't be surprised to see him in the panel at least. As for tomorrow line-up we at 'Sport see no future in playing Thommo and Alan D in the same team and with of return of Gavin and the expected promotion of Kane to midfield, one of them will undoubtedly have to stand down. Tomorrow's three points will not make or break our season, but will go along way to discover if we have real character in our team.

Our dismal record at the headquarters of the IFA/Linfield, speaks for itself, we usually get tanked or lose by a scrappy goal that could have been avoided, Tomorrow needs to be a turning point for our team, we can't afford to let the IFA dictate the pace and we need to fight 'fire with fire' and try to shake their confidence going into the County Antrim Shield final at the Oval next Tuesday, in short, we need players to stand up and be counted. If we can play as a team with everybody working their socks off and a 'never say die' attitude, maybe, but we emphasis the word 'maybe', we will have something to show for it come ten to five tomorrow. But if on the other hand we go out with the same attitude as last week and the slip shod defending, we can expect no mercy from the champions. It's over to you Spike and your backroom staff, if you have prepared for this and it comes unstuck, you may get another chance Tuesday night, we only can hope, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those villagers!

Sage Stuffing!

We know its not Christmas yet but United have to think that way when the Chickenville come to town and stuff them. This match comes at a crucial time for United and their young management team. They just had a drumming for the champions (the IFA) 12 days ago and they now meet the team that's aspiring to follow in the IFA's footsteps and win the league this season, Chickenville. Standing in their way is United and their unbeaten home record in the Dankse Premier league, a record which has stood since February 4, when Chickenville ironically beat them. United go into this match with a mounting injury crisis, latest casualty is Mike Ruddy who has a broken bone in his foot, added to was the news that Johnny Taylor will miss the rest of the season from his recent impact injury, coming in contact with the stock car track, only one winner there and it was not Johnny. The stock car track has long been an issue which the United board has sought largely to ignore, passing the 'buck' onto the council and the council in turn promising that were going to do something about it and doing nothing.

But for tomorrows match United must also do without services of the player of the season so far, Gavin Taggart, suspended for one game. Gavin and his combatant style its true to say, rankles referees, its not that he a vicious player, he just can't see why somebody can flaunt the rules and get away with it and this invariably gets him into trouble with referees, when he takes the law into his own hands. We at 'Sport think he's a definite candidate for team Captain, he'll not ask anyone to do what he thinks he'll not do himself and his hearts in the right place. But his obvious replacement, Sparky, also misses tomorrow's game through suspension and the game against the IFA next Saturday, at IFA headquarters, Windsor Park, but he'll be available for the County Antrim Shield final as will Gavin probably. As for team news, we don't have a clue, Cush limped out of last Saturday's encounter from the aptly named 'hatchet men', but we expect him to be fit. who fills in at Gavin's position is a matter for conjecture. Tony Kane looks the obvious choice and Chris Rodgers filling in at fullback.

Failing that Spike could move Archie to that holding position or spring a surprise and include some hitherto unknown from the reserves. Is there a case for playing the 4,4,1,1 formation he used so effectively against the Crues or do we revert to a more orthodox 4,4,2 or the more attack minded 4,3,3 which our management team seems to favour. It was obvious to the 'Sports team last week how adaptable our players were when they switched to the new formation without question. They showed the right attitude and they will need to show that attitude tomorrow again if they are to get anything from the form team in the IPL this season. They can be beaten, they already have been beaten and if our attitude is right we can take all three points, but if our attitude is wrong, we must expect to come unstuck. We know it will be tough, but when the going gets tough...., we all know the saying, but it still rings true, so come on Sky Blues, lets shag those chickens!

Clean Slate!

United, after their mauling at the hands of Linfield on Monday night, return to IPL action with a match against the 'Hatchet men'. This fixture is usually quite lively in itself for it usually brings out the best and the worst in the shore road men and in the Sky Blues. But it has added spice tomorrow in that former United striker, Gary McCutcheon, plays his first match at Warden Street, since he walked away at the end of last season. I'm sure he'll come in for a bit of extra attention from United players and supporters alike and we hope he's not too disappointed at the end of game. On second thoughts we hope he'll be distraught and have to suffer on the boat journey back getting slagged by his friend and ex-team-mate, Alan Jenkins. United manager Spike has some decisions to make as regards the make-up of his team. Our defence was a porous as a sieve on Monday night and we had no leaders on the field. Nobody was imploring people to get the finger out and we need somebody like that.

We at 'Sport think Spike will treat Monday night's reverse as a just a bad day at the office and not make wholesale changes. As intimated in Bruce Balmer' match report on Tuesday, we reckon Mike Ruddy will get the nod in place of Ross Black. We expect Cush to return at the expense of anyone from the three of Ally, Jamie and Jimmy Mac. Then there is a case for changing the midfield three or should we say the midfield two, for Gavin we feel sure will start, but as for Thommo and Alan D, we're not sure. But Spike being Spike, could say same again and give them another chance to redeem their collective selves. But it would be a huge risk to take and could spell disaster and undo all the promising work Spike and the boys have wrought up to now. The Crues for their part will want to try to dominate us and we need to be prepared for a barrage of high balls and for this reason we would like to see Sparky getting a start. The Broughshane man prowess in the air is well known and he would not let the side down.

We have lost our unbeaten run of games at home, but on the plus side, we have not lost a IPL game at home since February and if we could continue on in that vein, that would be a huge confidence boost for the next few games taking us up to the County Antrim Shield final at the end of this month. Spike is very much his own man and he has proved this by going out on the limb and continuing to play the likes of Tony Kane, Cookie and Ross Black and getting the best out of them. He surprised us all by dropping young Jamie at Dung and promoting young McCabe, it worked in that match but alas it didn't work against Linfield. Monday night's game is now history, it will go down on the record books as a defeat, whether we learn from this defeat remains to be seen. We have a chance to prove it was only a glitch, but it's not going to be easy, it never is against the Crues, but we need to get out there and do it, come on Sky Blues, let's shag those pet tigers!

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!

Road Wars!

We are on the road again and we're prepared to go to war to get the three points and no mistake about it. Colin Burns is the ref appointed for this match which is usually a feisty encounter and United needn't expect any sympathy from the 4th official, Dung native, Brian Courtney. As for team news as usual we haven't got any but the word on grapevine (rumours in the Fountain bar), is that Cookie should be fit and raring to go, but we take that with a pinch of salt because we were told in good faith that Taylor and Cookie would both be fit for Tuesday night and it was only 50% right. Sparky, harshly sent off on Saturday, should be available for selection, but if Spike hasn't any injuries, we expect him to say same again. That would mean Jimmy Mac starting on the bench and the much criticised Ross Black keeping his place at leftback.

Another player coming in for some criticism is joint leading scorer Ally, who it is fair to say, has not been firing on all cylinders this term. On Tuesday night he was a virtual passenger but Omar says he will a word with him before the start of Fridays match and that should do the trick. Omar says he had a word with an unnamed United player before a certain match away to Omagh town and he scored four goals that day, the player, not Omar, it's too long ago for the rest of us to remember. Ally, unlike last season, has started slow this season, but we need to him to start performing soon, as rumours persist about Cush being suspended for Monday night's match at home to Linfield. Ally has boundless talent, but he's not getting involved in the play and we need to find the reason behind his loss of form. Is he unhappy with the system Spike's playing, 4,3,3 compared to last year's 4,4,2, whatever the reason he needs to get it sorted and sorted fast or he could find himself playing with his mates in the reserve league.

Elvis got a rare outing on the bench on Tuesday, but whether that was because we were down to bare bones, or whether he's knocking on the door of fitness remains to be seen. He didn't exactly exert himself in the halftime kick-about on Tuesday night, standing with his hands thrust deep into his pockets, talking to Stuart Addis, but as we said, maybe he was just making up the numbers. No news of his striking partner Jordan Baker either and it looks like we seen the last of him in a United shirt, but what do we know. Ex-player, Darren Murphy, who sportingly missed that penalty last season which could of cost his side dearly, has been installed as manager at Dungannon and though we wish Darren well, we hope he's not too despondent of being on the losing side tomorrow night. It'll be a tough encounter, but we console ourselves with the old saying, 'when the going gets tough the tough get going', come on Sky Blues, let's shag those chicken lovers!

Strike Force!

United go into this County Antrim Shield semi-final full of confidence in their ability to deliver the goods, true we had a bit of a stutter on Saturday, not being able to prevail against the 10 men of the Lards, but we've been very consistent in cup games and haven't lost any since Spike has taken over the reins. We were denied a semi-final appearance in the Irish cup last year due to a bureaucratic error, but we are here on merit this time and we mean business. Fans have been crying out for us to sign a striker for nearly a year now but Spike has resisted the temptation to sign somebody just to calm the fears of the doubters. There's no getting away with it, Gary McCuthcheon had scored 15 goals at this stage last year, but we were conceding goals at an average of two goals a game and we've stopped that thankfully. But the pleasing thing is all the forwards have contributed to scoring goals this term and the midfielders as well.

In short we are a better balanced team this season and Big Wes deserves some credit for the way he has turned Dwayne Nelson into a fine keeper. Dwayne was always a good keeper, but he tended to make at least one mistake every game and if he got away with that, he couldn't be blamed for the shortcomings of his defence. But this year he has made three mistakes in 15 appearances and if he continues on in that vein, we have the makings a very solid defensive unit. Johnny Taylor who had to come off injured on Saturday, looks doubtful for tomorrow night's match, but Cookie should be available to take over have served his one game suspension on Saturday. There's a lot debate on at the minute among United supporters of who should replace Sparky, who's serving a one game ban due to his sending-off on Saturday. There's support for Alan D and Michael Ruddy, but in the opinion of the 'Sport team, Neil Lowry gets our vote.

If Spike selects Alan D, it means Gavin will have to do double the work covering Thommo and Alan and if he selects Michael Ruddy, we will be a tad negative. Lowry meanwhile gives you a presence going forward and a tackler when there's defending to be done. With his height he can take some of the pressure off Cush and Jamie when the ball's in the air and can add his pace to our attack when the opportunity presents itself. One man who needs to have a good game is our leading scorer Ally, in too many games this season he has been a virtual spectator and he needs to get more involved in the play if we are to prevail. We have the players to be a force, but we need to harness them and be a 'strike force'. A twenty goal striker would be a bonus, but we can't afford one and they're as scarce as hens teeth, so we must get on with it. It's not going to be an easy game, semi-finals never are, but we must believe in our strength and skill to carry us through, come on United, let's shag those Suffolk ewes, the final beckons!

The Lards!

United entertain the 'Lards' tomorrow at the Showgrounds for their first visit as a senior club. They've got off to a sensational start in the Dankse Premier league it has to be said and chalked up some memorable victories in the process. They will represent the biggest challenge we have faced at home this season and will show us how far we've come under Spike and the boys. Barring injuries, of which we haven't heard, United only need to make one change from their starting line-up of last week. Cookie will miss this game because of suspension and we expect Johnny Taylor to come in for him. Jimmy Mac, who scored two goals coming on as sub last week, looks to deserving of a start, but if Spike is true to form, Jamie will get the nod.

Spike seems to be of the opinion, 'if it's not broke, don't fix it' and that policy has served us well up to now. If on the other hand he notices something in the make-up of the opposition which he thinks we could take advantage of, he'll have no qualms about changing his selection or tactics. His opposite number, Whitey Anderson, is a crafty old fox and tends to play down his teams exploits, but he is an astute tactician and Spike and the boys won't be fooled with Whitey's flannel. This match starts a 'big' four matches in ten days for our club, the 'Sports team would be ecstatic with 3 wins and a draw from those four games, starting with a win tomorrow against the Lards. Our midfield (minus Captain Jenks), of Sparky, Gavin and Thommo, has been doing well of late and we'll be looking for a good performance from them starting tomorrow.

Jamie, Cush and Ally, have proved a handful for most defences and they'll hope to examine the Lards more closely than they did the last time the clubs met in August. We think it was a fact finding mission we undertook that day, we didn't know what to expect and were just finding our feet also. Hopefully we'll be able to set out our stall tomorrow and dictate the pace of the game that suits our style of play. Our defence will be tested to the limit with the Lards nippy forwards, but with our rock, Johnny Taylor, back in our starting panel, we should be able to withstand and thwart their attacks and we've got Dwayne between the sticks and he's in the form of his life. So it all points to a humdinger of a match, hope the stay away Ballymena fans make an appearance, so come on United, let's shag those Lards!

Keep Going!

United manager Spike has to encourage his troops to keep going and doing the things they are good at, like defending 'tooth and nail' and hitting the opposition on the break. It's a tried and trusted method, in truth it has brought us a lot of draws, but that's because we are not as clinical in front of goals as we need to be. Statistics show we have only conceded 14 goals against and we share that distinction with Dung, Scum and the, Reds so you see we are getting better at defending. But this is no time to be complacent, we have just completed the first phase of fixtures and it would be nice to start the second phase with a win tomorrow at Ballyskeagh. It'll be tough to arrest the Whites mini-revival, but this is a match we need to win if we are to progress up the Dankse Premiership table.

Johnny Taylor has been pronounced fit and it'll be interesting to see if Spike starts him or continues with Cookie and Archie. If Johnny starts who will have make way is an interesting topic of conversation and one we would not like to second guess. We don't know if Ross Black has recovered from his injury picked up at home to Glenavon, but if not, Spike could move Archie to leftback, but we think he'll want a specialist in that position and Vaulsey gets our vote, Ruddy is good, but Vaulsey is more versatile. At 'Sport we think Thommo and Alan D are too alike and it's unlikely Spike will start the two of them in midfield. Better to pick the midfield trio of last week for it gives the side a bit of balance and keep Alan D on the bench. The same forwards if fit, should surely start, but knowing Spike he could rest Jamie and start Lowry to lead the line.

He and his backroom staff will have a report on the Whites,on their strengths and their weakness and this info will govern who he picks to start. If they feel Lowry is the best man to start, they'll have no hesitation of throwing him in at the deep end and keeping young Jamie on the bench. We haven't heard a 'dickie bird' about our two enigmas, Elvis and Baker and assume they're getting their fitness levels up in order to be available for our Shield semi against DC and the Irn Bru against Linfield, for victories in these two matches could really kick-start our season. But first there is the small matter of the Whites away tomorrow and the league leaders next Saturday at home. We can win this game, but it will take everybody playing for the team and that includes our fickle fans, no excuses 'shepherds', come out and support the Sky Blues, you need to be there in person, we need everybody committed to the cause. Come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Lambeg Lily Whites!

Crunch Time!

We reach a milestone tomorrow as we play our 11th match in this league campaign and now we will have played each team once. Tomorrow's opponents, Glenavon, are in the same boat as ourselves, inconsistent and they also have a young untried manager guiding them, as we do. Ironically it brings together two of the best strikers to grace our league in the last ten years or so and only one them is still playing, Gary Hamilton, the Glenavon player/manager. Our own Glen 'Spike' Ferguson, has hung up his boots and he is faced with the hard task of trying to stop his great adversary Hamilton and nullify his influence. That Spike has a plan for that we don't doubt, but if it's not working he maybe can change it, Hamilton on the other hand needs to rely on his assistants in the dug-out and hopefully this will give us the edge. We haven't been scoring goals and we've been letting in too many at the other end.

We are a team that's hard to beat, but we don't as yet have that killer instinct to go on and get the three points, we seem content to settle for a share of the spoils. It's fair to say in the last three league games at home, a point is all we deserved, but the matches were there for the winning but we couldn't take that final step and that's all that's missing for our game. If Johnny Taylor is fit, we expect him to play, but just who will partner him is anybody's guess, it could be perm any one from three of Cookie, Vaulsey and Archie, if fit. In midfield in the absence of Jenks its crucial to get the selection right, Gavin, Sparky and Thommo, seems to be about the best option and Cush if fit. Up front we need to choose 2 from Jamie D, Jimmy Mac, Alan D and Ally and the 'Sport team favour Jamie D and Ally but we won't be surprised if Spike picks the other two, he is the man after all.

After his unimpressive outing on Tues night, Elvis needs to get fit and get a few reserve games under his belt for he will be needed in the coming weeks. The same applies to the prodigal son, Jordan Baker, too early to 'kill the fatteth calf' yet, we'll just keep it in the freezer in the meantime. We are to have a Welsh referee for tomorrow afternoon's game and we all know what happened the last time we had a Welsh official, so maybe we should rest Tony Kane, we don't want a repeat of that incident last March, which resulted in a six game ban for the foolhardy Kane. We want everybody to be on the best behaviour, no talking back to the referee, if he makes a stupid mistake, just remain silent and get on with it, the supporters in Blocks A & B, will do enough shouting for you, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag these Mourneviewers!

Returning Heroes?

With the news that Jordan Baker has not been released and that it was a bit of argy bargy with Spike, we wonder if our other long-term absentee, Elvis, might make an appearance tomorrow night. Not knowing the first thing about injuries and how better to recover from them, we have to be guided by the men that know best, Spike and the 3 baldies and our Sport therapist, Gordon McCartney. But if there ever was a match to introduce him to the rigours of first team football, tomorrow night's fixture against the Welders would be surely the one. He may not start but it be a great confidence boost to see him on the bench, for both players and fans alike. We need a presence up front, someone that won't be bossed by the likes of former Sky Blue Paul Muir, Jamie D and Jimmy Mac, try but they aren't forceful enough, we need somebody like Elvis.

Make no mistake this will be a hard task for United, they'll up against at least three former players in Muir, King and McConnell, who would like nothing more than to turn over their former team. We suspect Spike will afford them every courtesy and pick his strongest team and that means if Johnny Taylor is fit, we expect him to play. Not only is this fixture a chance for United to stay in this competition, but we have a unbeaten home record to protect and more importantly, we need to get back to winning ways, after two draws. The 1-0 success against Chickenville in the County Antrim Shield would do, but it would be hard on the nerves, but hopefully we will have too much class for the Welders. Manager Spike and his assistants have a lot of decisions to make deciding the make-up of the starting X1.

Tony Kane, according to reports, did well when he came on as a sub on Saturday and could keep his place and Ally Teggart, won and converted the penalty which gave United a share of the spoils, but otherwise, according to reports, had a poor game. No doubt Spike will take these things into to consideration when he makes his selections. Does he continue with young Jimmy Mac up front on his own or does he throw Elvis (if fit) on from the start, or Jamie D. This match tomorrow night would be a great game to test Alan D fitness levels in playing from the start and leave Sparky or Thompson on the bench or throw caution to the wind and start with Alan D and Thompson. This would be a bold approach, but there's a old saying 'that fortune follows the brave', but it'd be a risky ploy to use against seasoned campaigners like the Welders. But it would be great to see us come out with all 'guns blazing' and we hope we do, so come on United, let's shag those returning heroes!

For Noel!

It is a with a heavy heart that we start to write this blog, on Wednesday we heard the terrible news about our good friend Noel Millar´s sad demise. We had just arrived in Spain for a short break to recharge the batteries, but the news has taken the wind out of our sails we can tell you. Noel had been ill for quite a time and although we don´t know the details surrounding his untimely demise, we offer our heartfelt sympathies to his family, his mother, his brothers Bertie and Raymond and his good friend, Mina and we are sorry we´re will be unable to attend his funeral on Saturday. Omar, who knew him best, says Noel Millar was a caring person, who always would make time for you and he likened him to a good shepherd, who looked after his sheep. We sincerely hope Noel has found peace, we´re going to miss him terribly, but he´s gone to a better place, the Lord is my shepherd!

Now for the match tomorrow, we don´t know about the injured list but hopefully Elvis nears fitness, as we haven´t been able to glean anything from the absent press reports. If he came through the reserve match unscathed last Friday, he´s bound to worth a place on the bench, but we wouldn´t try to second guess Spike. We were crying for Baker last week and Spike released him from his contract, we don´t want to jinx Elvis, let him be. Ally had a good game when he came on as sub, but the last time he started a match at the scum he was pathetic in the extreme and Spike will maybe be reluctant to take a chance on him tomorrow. Johnny Taylor remains a big doubt but we should have plenty of cover, though we will miss him if he´s not fit.

Cush, who´s starting to run in to good form, needs to continue the good work he has been doing and take some of the weight of Jamie D shoulders. In the continued absence of Captain Jenks, out for 3 months it has been confirmed. the midfielders will have to step up to the plate. We been managing quite well in the two matches since he got injured, but that was in the short term, now we know how long he´s going to be out for it sheds a different light on the subject. It no longer needs a short-term solution, we need to establish who´s the best to take over Jenks anchor role in the club. If we could get Elvis back to fitness and starting maybe we could change the formation to a more sound 4,4,2 but Spike seems to favour the more attacking 4,3,3 and he is the manager. So come on Sky Blues, let´s do for Noel, let´s shag those Portadowners!

Glen Warning!

If you are at a loose end tomorrow night and want something to entertain you, Ballymena Showgrounds is the place for you. If you suffer from stress or any related symptoms including angina better bring your inhalers and/or spray with you. United and the unbeaten Glens go into battle for 3 league points and it'll not be a place for the faint-hearted. If you crave blood and guts being on the line, this is the place for you. Referee Hetherington will certainly have his work cut out for him while the two sides struggle for supremacy and the two crafty managers try to gain the upper hand. Glens manager Eddie Patterson, who was interviewed for the United job, is starting to make his presence felt at the Oval, despite the financial restraints he has inflicted on him.

The same could be said for own boss, Glenn 'Spike' Ferguson, he got off to a flyer with a 17 game unbeaten run, although we have stuttered in recent weeks culminating in a bad loss to the Coleraine scum last Saturday. Spike has decided to give youth a chance and he had four teenagers in his panel and subsequently on the pitch on Tuesday night where they dumped County Antrim Shield holders Chickenville out of this years competition. It has to said maybe Chickenville and their manager Tommy Breslin underestimating the hunger in the Sky Blues camp, for they were a lot of unknown names in their line-up, but if United had converted half of their gilt edged chances the Reds would have been on the end of an embarrassing scoreline.

We expect the Glens to be at full strength tomorrow night and while United have triumphed pretty regularly at the Oval in the past few seasons, they have struggled at home against the men from the East. That said we're so far unbeaten at home this season and we won't want to surrender that proud record without a fight. So it promises to be a real ding dong battle with no quarter asked or given, but sporting and it deserves to be watched by a good crowd, but the fickle fans of both clubs might find it hard to drag themselves away from other pursuits. The stage is set for a good contest, hopefully controversies will be few and far between, so come on United, let's shag those townies from Ballymacarat!

Die Dog!

A friend of us used to say when he came to some difficulty or hardship, 'it's time to die dog or shite the licence', United have come to that impasse! Tomorrow night's match with the County Antrim Shield holders, Chickenville, has taken on mammoth proportions. Not only to see if United can advance to the semi-finals, but more importantly to see if they can bounce back from the mauling they suffered at the hands of the Coleraine scum. We urged all the players to be at the top of their game on Saturday, but it fell on deaf ears, but tomorrow night we need everybody giving 110%. Maybe that won't be good enough against a good Chickenville side that dented our unbeaten run of games, but if is not, we would surely have the satisfaction of knowing we went down fighting.

Saturday's abysmal performance was hard to take, not only were we beaten, but we didn't put up any fight, in short we just didn't turn up. The omission of Jordan Baker from the panel on Saturday is hard to fathom, when we are crying out for strikers. Is Spike saving him for tomorrow night's match, we at 'Sport and all Sky Blue fans really hope so. In the continued absence of Costello, not expected to fit for a couple of weeks yet and Alan D, Baker is our only recognised goalscorer and should be encouraged to shoot on sight. Cush who had to come off on Saturday hopefully will be fit to play and needs to get back to what he does best, beating his man and getting telling crosses in and cutting out these back heels and silly flicks.

There's speculation about team changes but we believe that barring injuries the personnel will not change much. Spike is a great believer in continuity, but surely a wee tweak here and there wouldn't go amiss. Tony Kane is struggling for form at the moment and we have a ready made replacement on our bench in local man Chris Rodgers who performed in this role with distinction last season. Archie is the only Sky Blue player who stuck his head above the parapet and apologised to the fans. We at 'Sport feel Archie has shown he cares and he should retain his place, he may not of played well on Saturday, but he was as gutted as any of us, we need players like him in our squad. It's going to be tough, we expect no quarter to asked or given, we're looking for a gutsy display and the right result, so come on United, let's shag those Chickens Livers!

Worried Man!

There's an old song that goes, 'it takes a worried man to sing a worried song, I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long'. At 'Sport we think Spike is a 'worried man', if he isn't worried, why does he say the derby game against the Coleraine scum, is just another game. We have news for you Spike, it's not just another game, it's the most important game United have played since you assumed control and if you don't realise that, you have every right to be worried. You knew from you took over that you needed a striker and you didn't find one and they were one or two to be found, but you, for some reason or another, didn't want them or couldn't get them. But you've been saying all along that your midfielders will have to weigh in with goals, but that doesn't look likely giving some of the glaring misses in the last three matches by your chosen midfielders.

But even more worrying than that, in the last 3 matches we have started to ship goals again like we did before you took control. Does this mean we haven't eradicated the problem, but just made it go away on a temporary basis? We hope not, but it's looking ominous and you can be sure the Bannsiders will be anxious to test our defence tomorrow. We at 'Sport sincerely hope the last three games have been a glitch, but confidence is bound to be affected and defensive leader Johnny Taylor needs to be inspiring to see if we can get our confidence back. Does Archie have some clause in his contract that says if he is fit, he has got to play? Don't get us wrong, we think the world of Archie, but his best position is at sweeper, he can fill in other places, but if you have a leftback fit ( Black, Vaulsey or Ruddy), either would be preferable to Archie. Any chance of having a corner-kick taking elimination to see if any of our guys can actually deliver a corner that we 'might' score from?

The Sky Blue Sport crew can't remember a derby that ever been as 'low key' as this one, maybe it's a sign of times we live in, but we got to shake this lethargy and get a bit of passion for the game. Admittedly there's not the same atmosphere at the Scum refuse heap, since the majority of our supporters have to stand behind the goals (how this ground hasn't been condemned beggars belief), but it's still the same rivalries and it should generate the same passion. Maybe it would help if the two manager's said things like ' this is a life or death situation' instead of the 'claptrap' we heard in the media so far. We all know our manager and Oran 'the diving bird' Kearney are friends, but when the match gets under way we sincerely hope there are the best of enemies. We were talking this week and we think we missed 5 derby's over the last 20 years or so between us, for one reason or another, but it's getting tough to remain optimistic enough to make the journey. But we got to be positive, so come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Coleraine scum!

Swift Response!

United are home to Dungannon Swifts tomorrow exactly a week after they performed one of the great escapes we have witnessed in all our years following the Sky Blues. Forty two minutes was on the match clock and we were 3-0 down, but we dug in and were worthy of a point if not all three. We cannot afford a repeat of that benevolence tomorrow, there's no way we will get back if we go three down in the first half tomorrow, not with that referee, Carrickfergus native Ross Dunlop. Manager Ferguson surely has to change things at the back and if Ruddy is fit he should start, if not Vaulsey and Archie should be dropped. Tony Kane is another who is looking vulnerable and Spike has two men he can turn to, Rodgers and Sparky. The midfield is not working as a unit, Jenks and Thompson are two alike and we feel he can't play the two together.

It would be a big decision to droop either of them, but for the good of the team that's what has to happen. If Ally's not fit, we have to find a wide player on our panel and by an ironic twist of fate, Tony Kane could be that man, not good enough to play rightback, but good enough to give us some width on the right midfield. There's rumours doing the rounds that Baker could be fit, but we've heard those rumours before and nothing materialises. But and we emphasis the 'but', if he is fit he should go straight into the starting line-up, for we need a presence up front. James McCabe and Peter Duffin are scoring goals for fun in the reserves, but they're not going to strike fear into the hearts of the Swift's defence, but a fit Baker could be our 'ace in the hole', maybe.

Cookie Munster has to be treading on thin ice and the only thing that's saving him was that Archie, his obvious replacement, is struggling for form. Cush, who remarkably hasn't scored a goal for us 450 mins, is due to break his duck and where better to do it than at Warden Street. He's come close it has to be said and his old Distillery team-mate Thompson should been thanking him for an assist last week but for a glaring miss, when it looked easier to score. Jamie D, who got back to goal-scoring form last week, following his brace in the first match against Linfield, needs to concentrate in doing the simple things well. We all know he's a brilliant footballer, but he needs to concentrate on his ball holding skills and passing, where he leaves much to be desired. But he's still the best we got, he's an exciting player to watch and he grows in confidence with every game.

There's three points up for grabs tomorrow and we can get them, it's true to say we lost our way somewhat in our last two matches, but with application we can get it back. We need to strong in the tackle, cut out those dangerous crosses and above all start taking our chances. If we concentrate in doing these few simple things, the 'Sports team believe we will be a match for anybody and tomorrow's game will go a long way to prove that. It's going to be tough, there are no easy games in this league, but with the right attitude we can get back on track, come on United, let's shag those Chicken lovers!

Home Comforts!

United, after the first defeat in 17 matches, a club record we think, return to relative safety of the Showgrounds where their opponents are Donegal Celtic (DC). The Sky Blue Sport crew were not at the Chickenville match as they were continuing their policy of boycotting grounds where we are forced to watch proceedings from behind the goals. This will only work if the majority visiting fans will take a stand and boycott clubs offering only this jaundiced view of things, we have a case of the 'tail wagging the dog' and until the dog (fans) make a stand it will continue to be so. That said we were down let by our part-time reporter, Rusty Ray, who has said he was so disgusted by United's display that he couldn't bring himself to write about it, we know how he feels.

But it had to happen sooner or later and better to lose to a good team than a poor one and United have a chance to set off on another winning run tomorrow. There's a rumour circulating about Mike Ruddy being ruled out by injury, but hopefully Ross Black is fit to resume having come through a reserve fixture last week. Jordan Baker and Elvis might make the panel also and Spike could be left with a headache of who to leave out. Sparky and Rodgers have not started any first team games this term and so they could make way for our two strikers, if fit. Will Spike be brave enough to drop Ally, who's not giving his best and let Neil Lowry in from the start. If we were to try and second guess him, we think not, but he'll have his own ideas no doubt.

Watching the highlights on the net, United looked sloppy in defence and they need to get back to defending with vigour. The enigma that is Tony Kane, seemed to get caught out of position for the first goal and hopefully he won't let that happen again tomorrow. But United can take heart from their display in holding the Reds to a 2-1 scoreline, bearing in mind what they done to the Coleraine scum last Saturday. Team Captain Jenks continues to struggle and we think he better get his act together sooner rather than later, especially as Alan D is only two weeks away from full fitness. It's not going to be easy tomorrow, but we should have too much firepower for the DC, so come on United, let's shag those Suffolk ewes!

Mega Match!

This fixture tomorrow night throws together the two best teams thus far in this season's campaign, Chickenville and United. On the one hand there's the free flowing goal-scoring Reds and on the other Ballymena United, with a so far impregnable defence. That defence hasn't really been tested yet this season, but Chickenville haven't came up against our hit on break style of play either, it promises to be a fascinating encounter either way. It's too early to say what a defeat for either team will mean in the scheme of things, but as they're scheduled to meet in the County Antrim Shield in 3 weeks time, it will be interesting to see who gets the bragging rights come 21-40 tomorrow night.

We don't expect much change from Friday night's team, but if Vaulsey's fit, we wonder would Spike be willing to risk him on that 3G surface. Better maybe to stick with the volatile Tony Kane, but would he be of a mind (as Ally was not impressive last match), might Spike be tempted to start with Neil Lowry, who made a such impact when he came on as a sub in Friday night's encounter at Warden Street. Lowry is our joint leading goalscorer with 2 goals and his budding partnership with Jamie D, also on 2 goals, looks promising. We at 'Sport can't remember United having two such young and exciting players for many years. If they both continue to improve as they have so far, it's only a matter of time before the scouts from England will be knocking on the Warden Street door.

James McCabe, who scored 2 goals for the reserves in a 7-0 trouncing of the wee Whites on Saturday, looks like a definite for the bench along with, Gavin, Sparky and Chris (Rodgers). If Ross Black is fit he might get the nod for the other place, if not Corey Price or Peter Duffin could be on the bench. Some of this United team are bound to be still smarting from the reverse at the Showgrounds last year where the Reds won 7-3 and will no doubt want to take some revenge. But it's going to tough, we need everybody playing at the top of their game, especially in midfield where we were overrun in that 7-3 reverse. So a lot depends on Jenks and Gary T, if they stamp their authority on the game, the points will be ours for the taking, if not, we think Dwayne and his defenders will have a busy night. So come Sky Blues, lets shag those Chickens!

Taking Stock!

United had to change their match this Saturday to let the principle lessees, the stock cars, have the Saturday. As a result dozens of fans had to change theirs, fans who have to work on a Friday night to get Saturday afternoons off. Sky Blue Sport's intrepid reporter (who blatantly refuses to give an overview of the match), falls into this category and he may not make this match. The people who are turning in droves to this site to get a United fan's view of the match could therefore be disappointed. But we have Rusty Ray, an able substitute and he'll supply an abridged version of the match if Bruce Balmer fails to get time off.

There's not much to say about this match, Spike and the boys might need to make one change from their starting line-up of Monday night if Vaulsey, who was carried off at that match, fails to regain fitness. The obvious choice would be Tony Kane, Chris Rodgers or Sparky, but we think Kane is the best man for the job or is that Sparky. None of the long term injury victims look likely to make it so the subs bench should contain two or three youngsters. The Whites will be eager to record their first points and we must be vigilant and shackle Halliday and Ligget from the start, if we do that then we'll have a chance to continue our goal-scoring record at home. They're are no easy matches in this league, but this game could prove be a crucial one. So come on Sky Blues, let's shag those lily Whites!

Tough Game!

When we read the fixture list at the start of season, we realised this would be a bloody tough fixture, away to Ballyinmallard, after entertaining champions Linfield and a visit to Seaview to take on the Crues, the 4th best team in the league. Now after them two strength sapping games we find ourselves going to Fermanagh to take on the newly promoted Mallards, who only last week thumped Lisburn Distillery 5-0, we at 'Sport are convinced that no-one at the I.F.A. particularly likes us. Well truth to tell we've known that for years, but there's no need to emphasise that point is there. Maybe we've upset the powers that be with our appeal against being thrown out of the Irish cup last season due to the Alan D fiasco. But whatever the reason, we just have to face facts and get on with it.

Spike has intimated that he will use the same panel of players, barring injuries, so that means we expect very little change to our starting line-up, but maybe a wee tweak here and there will do no harm. We thought Ally Teggart was just not up to scratch last week and maybe Tony Kane could move into midfield and let the Cush take up Ally's position on the left. We also thought there would be a case for restoring Gavin to midfield, Archie's done a tremendous job, but Westy is the best man for that position. It'd be hard on Archie we know and Spike will maybe be reluctant to break up the Cookie/Taylor partnership, to allow Archie to slip into his more accustomed central defensive role, but we're only guessing here.

No news on the injury front, as far as we know Baker and Elvis are still out, never mind a striker who'd get goals, we can't get one that is fit. The versatile Sparky, can play up front in a pinch but he's not what we need, we need someone to take the weight off Jamie D and Sparky is not our man. Roy Walker tried playing Jenks up front but it didn't work out, we don't know about Spike and the boys, but we are fresh out of ideas. Omar said that years ago we had a centre-half, Jimmy Small, who converted to centre-forward (striker) for a season or two, maybe we ought to try Archie up there or maybe not. It being 'Black Saturday' we aren't expecting many of the faithful to be making the trip, but you never know, it is our first competitive visit to Ballyinmallard and that might just tempt a few folks to make the trip. So come Sky Blues, let's shag those Mallards (or would that be just 'ducking' the issue), we had to have at least one pun!

Costly Injury!

Elvis Costello, who picked up a thigh injury in United's trip to St James gate, Dublin in July and duly missed most of pre-season, has had a recurrence of the injury and he misses the match tomorrow against the 'hatchet' men. Jordan Baker, who had to come off last Saturday as well, looks like the obvious replacement if fully fit but having 5 players out of the 9 that were missing last Saturday available for selection, maybe Spike and his backroom staff will have other ideas. We at 'Sport were debating whether they're going to carry a substitute keeper, which restricts their options on the bench or go for broke and return the 'missing five' to a place on the bench.

Spike's sets a great store on loyalty and he emphasises that if people come in and perform well, he'll see no reason for dropping them. We at 'Sport won't be surprised if picks the same side as last week, minus Elvis and two or three youngsters could retain their place on the bench. So that only means two or three players of the five getting the nod in the panel. The most talented player is Alan D and he has to get a place on the bench and Tony 'Psycho' Kane, like or hate him, has to be the most versatile. Of the other 3, Rodgers, Thompson and Sparky, Gary Thommo gets our vote because he tweeted before last Saturday's game, how he was gutted that he was missing it and so they all should be (our words), but he was the only one who expressed his regret.

The Crues are missing Owen's and Coates and it will be interesting to see how they cope with Jamie D's pace and the quicksilver runs of Cush. On paper it looks a tough match, but if we can upset their rhythm as we did against Linfield we think we'll come away with the right result. They had a match in midweek and they bound to be feeling the strain of two defeats in a row so we need to hit them early and often. As Seaview is quite narrow maybe Spike will opt for a more attacking 4,3,3 which could mean promoting either Thommo or Alan D and omitting Cookie from the defence and Arch moving to his more accustomed back-four position. Whatever plan Spike and his henchmen come up, it will be all systems go for 3 points, so come United. let's shag those paper tigers!

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!

Three Months!

We can hardly believe it, it's only been three months since the season ended and it's only one week until it begins again in earnest. So much has happened in that time, Cutch has gone, Rory has gone and we signed three new players and blooded some youngsters in a so far unbeaten friendly run and if that's not enough to whet your appetite, we have signed Alan D on a year's contract. Things are looking up for the Sky Blues, but there's a concern being voiced in a few circles we are told, about Spike's failure to land a top class striker to replace Cutch. We at 'Sport aren't worried and we'll tell you why, the solution is within our midst.

Back in the sixties (Omar says), United had a prolific striker named Arthur Thomas, a Birkenhead schoolteacher. After two seasons of knocking goals in for fun, with a 'real' ball made of real leather (Omar's words), Linfield came knocking and Thomas duly moved to Windsor Park. There was weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth we can tell you, a prominent United fan, dare we say an institution, even was so incensed that he went to a few Linfield matches, before returning to the fold. There was no way United could replace Thomas, they had to promote from within. As luck would have it, they had a stocky left-winger, named Mal McDonnell and he stepped into the breech. To say he was a revelation is to make a gross understatement and though he didn't last long, Omar says it was privilege to witness Mal's skill.

Now we find ourselves having two left-wingers, Cush and Ally, little and large so to speak. Of these two we think Ally is the preferred option. He's quick, has superb dribbling skills and he can strike with either foot. Cush is no slouch either, but we at 'Sport think Cush is best suited to a midfield role, where he can set up attacks and surprise keepers who have strayed off their line. He also is a dead ball expert, or so we are told, but we have heard that before. With the signing of Alan D, it looks likely that new signing Gary Thompson will find himself pushed out to right-wing and if Spike decides to go with a 4,4,2 system, on the bench. Anyway we think we're in for a new exciting chapter as United embark on another season. Come on United, get those shagging boots on (thigh waders for uninitiated)!

Ronaldo, Iniesta & Pirlo's Team of Euro 2012 v Neymar, Suarez & Cavani's Team of the Olympics

With the football feast set to continue in the London Olympics, Goal.com lines up the strongest possible XI from the Summer Games alongside our all-star Euro 2012 team.

Barely a month after Euro 2012 drew to a close, another football tournament is about to get underway as the Olympics look to keep us entertained until the European club season kicks off.

The football tournament in the Summer Games has grown in stature as more high-profile, experienced superstars jostle for a place in their respective squads. No longer is it just another event at the Olympics, it is now almost a major football championship in itself. In the 2012 edition, household names around the globe such as Neymar, Mata, Luis Suarez, Ryan Giggs, Mohamed Aboutrika, Hulk, and Park Chu-Young will be on show as they search for gold and glory. 

There's a no-contest in goal. Widely regarded as the best shot-stopper in the world today,Iker Casillas is also one of the most successful players of all time. De Gea, in the strongest Olympic XI, is considered Spain's future No.1 and heir to Iker's throne, but he has a long way to go still. However, he is on the right path having won, like Casillas did, his first Uefa club trophy at just 19 years of age.

Despite Romario's fiery complaints about Brazil's defensive strength in their Olympic squad, the Selecao do provide three players in our best Olympic XI, three stoppers who are certainly a match for our Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament back line. Vasilis Torosidis may not be one of the more high-profile full-backs in the game, but he has the edge over a young Danilo who has yet to really make his mark, with Maicon and Dani Alves duopolising the right-back position in Brazil's senior side.

The centre-back pairings of Pepe-Gerard Pique and Micah Richards-Thiago Silva have the potential to excel in any tournament team. Pepe had a stellar league campaign with Real Madrid and imposed his authority throughout the Euros, but Pique added another international title to his collection and boosted his reputation with a flawless showing in Poland and Ukraine without his Barcelona mentor Carles Puyol. It's only fitting that he is partnered by the man considered the best centre-back in the world today, PSG's mega-money signingThiago Silva. 

The left-back slot will likely be the most closely contested. With Euro 2012 revelation Jordi Alba also appearing in the London games, the berth in our strongest Olympics XI goes to Marcelo. The two are very similar players, often preferring to attack than defend, and they both regularly exhibit a penchant for scoring goals or providing assists. While Alba has risen to the top at the Euros, Marcelo, who is only one year older than his counterpart, has already won praise as the best in his position in the game. 

While the Euro XI's midfield five consist of three in front of the back line and two behind the striker, the wealth of attacking talent on parade in London sees the Olympians line up with three attacking midfielders with a classic double-pivot behind them. It's hard to see past the trio of Sami Khedira, Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi in the defensive roles, especially up against new Palermo signing Arevalo Rios who has yet to play a single club game in Europe, and an inexperienced albeit improving Javi Martinez. Every team needs a perfect balance of brains and brawn at the heart of the pitch, and De Rossi's bare-knuckle approach is wonderfully complemented by the mastery of Pirlo.

In the more advanced positions, there's enough quality to light up any team in the world. Luis Suarez and David Silva are certainly no lightweights, but individually they are overshadowed by the precocious skill of Neymar, the elegance and trickery of Andres Iniesta, and the power and ferocity of Hulk. 

Finally, up front the teams boast two of the most prolific sharp-shooters from the past season, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the Euro 2012 Best XI and Edinson Cavani spearheading the Olympic team. The Uruguayan's tally of 33 goals in 47 competitive outings for club side Napoli in 2011-12 would make any striker in the world envious, but Ronaldo, although not a typical No.9, has a goalscoring proficiency that is matched only by Lionel Messi over the last two years.

It's no surprise then that with exponentially more experience and big-game performances under their belts, seven players from the European Championship team eclipsed their opposite numbers from the London games, with only four of the Olympians - all Brazilians - getting the better of the stars from Poland and Ukraine. 

Below, Goal.com presents the best combined XI from the Euro 2012 and Olympic sides in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goal

Would Liverpool FC striker Andy Carroll join Sunderland FC?

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has admitted he would love to sign Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

Andy Carroll

Carroll, who joined Liverpool from Sunderland's rivals Newcastle at the start of 2011 for a club record £35million, has been linked with a number of clubs in recent days after it emerged that manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to offload him this summer.

Newcastle are keen on re-signing the 23-year-old should they be able to agree a fee with the Merseysiders, while West Ham are also interested.

But O'Neill has become the latest manager to throw his hat into the ring.

"Andy Carroll is a really good player, a really good player. Would he come to Sunderland?" the Northern Irishman was quoted by The Sun as saying.

"He is a very fine player."

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner earlier this week hinted that the club could make a decision on whether to sell Carroll in the near future.

Newcastle last week had a loan bid for the England international rejected but are expected to return with an improved offer, while in addition to West Ham, Carroll has also been linked with AC Milan, Aston Villa, and Fulham.

Werner insists Rodgers will have the final say on whether the target man will be sold during the transfer window.

"Brendan is clearly the leader here," he told Sky Sports News.

"The only thing I can say is we will do what is best for the club.

"At the moment Andy is on the squad, he is an important member of the England team and he has a lot of talent. We will see what happens."

And he added: "Hopefully the question will be answered shortly, but at the moment Andy is on the team and we look forward to him contributing."

CrunchSports

Manchester United prepare Baines move but set £12m limit on Everton defender

The Merseyside club are ready to offer the second-choice England left-back an improved new contract to ward off sustained interest from the Old Trafford heavyweights.

Leighton Baines

Manchester United are ready to make a move for Leighton Baines but have set a £12 million limit on signing the Everton defender.

Goal.com understands that capturing Baines remains a priority for Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to secure a long-term successor for 31-year-old Patrice Evra.

The interest from Old Trafford has not yet progressed beyond informal discussions but United are ready to step up their chase and could even make their first formal offer for the left-back next week. 
However, the 19-times league champions are not willing to pay more than £12m for a player that Everton value at £17m and have decided to limit their salary package to £80,000-a-week. 
Everton are ready to offer Baines an improved contract to keep hold of a player who manager David Moyes regards as vital to his plans.
The 27-year-old was named in the PFA Premier League team of the year following an outstanding 2011-12 campaign and Everton's system is built around his raids from left-back. He is also the team's set-piece specialist.
As Goal.com revealed last month, United fringe players such as Ji-Sung Park and the Da Silva twins, Fabio and Rafael, were mentioned as possible sweeteners in a deal for Baines.

However, Everton would prefer a straight cash deal and Park and Fabio have subsequently joined QPR on permanent and loan deals, respectively.
Speaking at the end of May, Baines described United's reported interest in him as a big compliment: "The United link is flattering. There is no harm in people talking about it because it is a great club. But I'm at a great club as well, a club that I love.
"Would it be hard to turn United down? I'm not letting my focus shift to that while I am in camp [with England]. 
"I'm focused on what I'm doing at the moment. Would it be hard to leave Everton? Yes, obviously. You know what it means.
“I’ve been there for five years myself but also know first-hand what it means to a lot of people so, yes, it would be.”

Goal.com

Werder Bremen in advanced talks with Chelsea over De Bruyne

De Bruyne

Werder Bremen director Klaus Allofs has revealed that the Bundesliga side is in talks with Chelsea over the loan signing of Kevin De Bruyne.
The German outfit believes that the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will be able to add creativity to its team, and it is confident that a deal will be sealed when the Blues return from its preseason tour of the United States.
"We have already had a number of meetings with club and player in the past few months and we're in advanced talks," Allofs was quoted as saying by Kicker.
"Things are looking good, but it's not a done deal yet. We hope to wrap up the transfer next week when Chelsea are back from their preseason trip in the USA."
De Bruyne joined Chelsea from Genk in January 2012, and was immediately shipped out on loan back to the Belgian giants until the end of the season. He told Goal.com last week that he'd be open to another loan if he is not guaranteed playing time with the Blues.
"For me, I say it's important to play," De Bruyne told Goal.com. "If it's not at Chelsea, I will go to another club to play." 
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