Popular Smith?

Relatively speaking anyway, Denis Smith is preferred by 41% of voters as their choice for current United manager in the most popular Rage Online poll yet. Admittedly the choices were restricted to United's three least popular managers of the last decade, but it says something for current incumbent David Kemp, who received 17% of the votes, that even Brian Horton proved more popular, with 30%. Clearly presiding over the club's worst ever team (wearing its worst ever strip) has done Kemp no favours, but then neither have his tactics, team selections, public relations, media comments or hairdos. Whilst most fans would probably like to see the back of Kemp, hopefully it would not be with Smith as his replacement.

Knight makes a point

United drew 0-0 at Ashton Gate today to keep a clean sheet in the league for the first time since 17th October when they drew 0-0 with Luton at the Manor. The formation chosen was 4-5-1, with Dean Whitehead and Paul Tait replacing the suspended Chris Hackett and the injured Robert Quinn. Paul Powell also started with Joey Beauchamp dropped to the bench. Richard Knight started instead of Neil Cutler and it was his penalty save in injury time that ensured the point for the Yellows after Whitehead had earlier hit the bar. Beauchamp did come on for the tiring Powell with about twenty minutes left. The attendance was 9,681 and a match report can be found here.

Swansea lost 3-0 at Bury, but Port Vale beat Wycombe 1-0 at Adams Park. swindon also achieved a goalless draw, away to Wigan, whilst the match between Luton and Bristol Rovers also ended 0-0 to leave United now 18 points (or 6 wins) from safety. Former United players finding the net include Phil Whelan for Southend, Nigel Jemson for Shrewsbury and Derek Lilley for Dundee United.