FOUL have no Morrells

Due to the possibility of the owners of Morrells taking out an injunction to prevent completion of the Minchery Farm stadium, due to it being within half a mile of the Blackbird pub which has a covenant on it preventing alcohol outlets being built within that distance, United supporters group FOUL (Fighting for Oxford United's Life) have issued a press statement calling on all football supporters, and especially Oxford fans, to boycott Morrells owned pubs. Whilst in theory the stadium could still go ahead, in practice it would be unfeasible without the revenue generated from the conference centre, the hotel and the leisure complex, all of which would be untenable without a licence to sell alcohol. FOUL believes that Morrells are acting purely out of short-term greed with no consideration for the consequences for the football club, and have therefore urged fans to try and hit Morrells where it would hurt them most – in their profits.

Mosiah's just the ticket

United have asked West Brom to release the registration of ticket tout Mosiah Blake in order to give Denis Smith's protegé a second chance. Blake was signed by Smith when he was at Albion and has impressed United's management during his trial period here. Although Blake was sacked by WBA they still hold onto his registration and it's possible that they might request a fee for him, or maybe just a few extra cup final tickets…

Clever Canada comes close to qualifying

Canada achieved an unlikely goalless draw with group favourites South Korea in their CONCACAF Gold Cup tie early this morning in Los Angeles. The point means that Costa Rica have to gain an equally unlikely draw of at least 2-2 with the Asian guests to prevent Mark Watson and his compatriots from furthering their interest in the tournament. This could spell bad news for United as Watson will be required very shortly with suspensions to both Phil Whelan and Steve Davis for the Wrexham game on Saturday week.

Tuesday 15th February

Nowt at the back

Steve Davis and Phil Whelan both picked up bookings at Wycombe which will lead to their suspensions for the Wrexham game in two weeks. With Neil McGowan's and Ross Weatherstone's injuries, plus Mark Watson potentially still on international duty with Canada this leaves just rookie Jon Shepheard as our only recognised central defender for this game. This could be Mickey Lewis's opportunity to win himself a recall to first team action, although Denis Smith is looking at the possibility of signing someone else on loan. This spells the end of Richard Knight's dream (?) of remaining at Oxford on loan as with Craig Russell Oxford can only have one other loan player on the books at the same time.

Davis's and Whelan's bookings have led new boss Denis Smith to complain about the U's disciplinary problems this season, especially in defence where so many players have already served suspensions. It could be argued that this is an improvement on the situation Mark Lawrenson inherited, where a team facing relegation in mid-season had received no bookings at all in defence, signifying something.

At least Pål Lundin's foot injury isn't as bad as first feared and so with Andre Arendse's return from international duty with South Africa means that Knight's presence as a back-up goalie is no longer required, which won't please the Derby reserve. Despite only playing for the first half hour of United's game at Wycombe Lundin was responsible for three outstanding saves and picked up votes in the Rage Online Man of the Match poll.

Northern lager

John Durnin has returned to Carlisle from Portsmouth for a second loan spell, having already been there earlier this season. Durnin also had a brief loan spell at Blackpool recently.