Boxing the Cherries

Bournemouth are the next visitors to Oxford, with United hoping to shake off the disappointment of dropping a couple of points to Exeter by giving the christmas revellers a barnstorming performance against one of the division's in-form teams. Of course, it may not happen. Dean Whitehead has now recovered from the injury he sustained in Bristol and rejoins the squad, and he could come in to replace Dave Savage, who was below-par on Saturday. Ian Atkins can now name more or less any line-up he wants, with only Jamie Brookes not available for selection. It will be interesting to see who he chooses to play up front as his preferred partnership, although he may consider that Lee Steele needs a bit longer on the bench before making his first start.

Bournemouth have already faced United twice this season, a draw in the league at Dean Court and then a win in a somewhat flat and tepid game in the LDV whatsit. The Cherries will have Andy Petterson in goal, all their regular 'keepers being injured. Otherwise they will possibly be the strongest league side United have faced at home this season and so will provide a good test of United's promotion pedigree, if they have one.

Keeping in with the Christmas spirit and good cheer Rage Online reckons that the pudding will weigh too heavily in the Oxford tummies. If the scoreline is anything other than a 2-0 win for the away side we'll eat our sprouts. In fact, we will anyway.

Deadline fast approaching

Don't forget to use the forthcoming break from work to spend time penning your contributions for the next Rage On, due to reach us at fanzine@rageonline.co.uk by the end of Saturday 4th January, when there may be something else to preoccupy you.