Judge not, lest we be judged

Cambridge United are the latest team to visit Oxford on a Tuesday, hoping to extend the Us' five year victory-less run at home on this day. Oxford have only ever lost once at home to Cambridge, back in January 1978, but United fans have long since learned that they should take nothing for granted where Oxford are concerned.

Oxford will have to make one change from the team that won at Gay Meadow on Saturday, after goalkeeper Andy Woodman received 48 stitches in a facial wound that has also left him with a possible fractured eye socket. Ian Atkins has been searching for an experienced loan goalie to bring in, but so far with little success. Former United 'keeper Phil God Whitehead was one of those approached, but Reading would only release him provided Oxford paid his full wages, and Whitehead himself wanted a deal until the end of the season, neither condition being able to be granted by Atkins. Instead goalkeeping coach and United Milk Cup winning goalie Alan Judge has been registered as a player as a fall-back option in case no other cover can be found.

The only other likely change will probably be up front, where David Oldfield, who tweaked his hamstring after just 13 minutes of Saturday's game, is unlikely to be fit. Jefferson Louis or Andy Scott will possibly come in to partner Lee Steele, although Steve Basham, if he has regained fitness, is also in contention. Atkins has also praised Paul Powell's renewed fitness and attitude and he could possibly be rewarded with a place if Matt Robinson has fallen out of favour.

Cambridge feature former United player Paul Wanless, but unlike other ex-Us at previous opponents he is unlikely to be a scoring threat (famous last words). Normally Rage Online would actually be reasonably bullish about our chances in this fixture, not being superstitious about this Tuesday night jinx palaver. However we have learned, to our consternation, that our friend Mike has bought a ticket for tomorrow's game – Mike hasn't seen United win in the league for about 125 years (or so he claims), being unable to attend Saturday fixtures and missing out on the 3-0 win over West Brom in 1998. So we'll go with 1-0 to Cambridge, just to cover ourselves.