United to get buried?

Oxford travel to Gigg Lane tomorrow (well, actually they travelled today, but you get the drift) to face a Bury side bouyant after back to back wins (something that United can only dream of). On the plus side the Shakers have been shaken by injuries and suspensions, but on the minus side that probably won't make any difference to Oxford's performance. United introduce new signing Darren Patterson, who has immediately been handed the captain's armband from Jon Richardson and who will probably start at right back, allowing Rico to move into the centre of defence alongside Garry Monk and Robert Quinn to move back into midfield. This should be at the expense of Matt Murphy, but expect Dean Whitehead to be dropped to the bench instead. Peter Fear has also been added to the squad, for no apparent reason. Last season Oxford won 2-1 at Bury thanks to an injury time goal from Jamie Cook, who also scored the winner against them at the Manor earlier this season. With this encouraging recent record against Bury expect the final score to be something like 2-0 to the home side.

Weatherstones' tea party

The brothers Weatherstone are off to Lincolnshire. Boston United of the Conference appear to be about to take the terrible twosome (Simon terrible for his footballing prowess, Ross for his conviction for racist assault) off United's hands for the price of a stamp. This comes less than a month after Simon turned down a loan move to Hayes, obviously not wanting to leave without his peroxide younger brother. With United's large squad in need of pruning and with Simon never having set the first team alight and Ross one of a surfeit of substandard defenders there won't be a large number of U's fans mourning their departure.

Wells not ended yet

Les Wells' case for a public right of way through the stadium site will continue on Wednesday. The presiding Judge is one Nick Warren, should anyone care.

Manor developments

Local residents in Headington are continuing to protest about the Acland's plans to build a private hospital and ninety flats on the site of the Manor. Whilst the developers claim that traffic increase in the area will be minimal (well, they would, wouldn't they) others remain to be convinced. A reminder that their website is www.headington.org.uk.