Stockley's a U again

Sam Stockley's on-off transfer to Colchester has finally gone ahead, finalised just one minute before the deadline allowing him to play tomorrow. There was originally a dispute between the two clubs over a sell-on clause in Stockley's contract, with Colchester refusing to countenance one, but apparently United secretary Mick Brown stepped in to negotiate a compromise package. The general consensus is that the money should be used to bring Adi Viveash to Oxford on a permanent deal, as the final game of his loan spell is tomorrow.

Atkins out for six

Ian Atkins was yesterday banned from the touchline for six games following his sending off at Bristol City. The ban doesn't start until the end of the month and Atkins, who was furious at the length of the ban, is considering an appeal.

Simmo wrestlers

Rochdale visit the KasStad tomorrow, the real significance of which is the return of Simmo. Once one of United's best ever wingers, Paul Simpson is now in the unfortunate position of having to manage one of the North's perennial under-achievers, and after a decent start to the season Dale look like heading for mid-table obscurity again this season. As do Oxford, of course, unless the players can turn things around now the distraction of the Worthington Cup is out of the way.

There is a slim chance that the overdue comeback of Bobby Ford to the midfield might happen tomorrow. United's recent poor run started at the same time as Bobby's injury, which is no small coincidence. If Ford is fit then it will be interesting to see who makes way for him, as Dean Whitehead impressed on Wednesday. It is possible that Ian Atkins may choose to revert to 4-4-2 for a must-win home clash, in which case Matt Bound will probably be the unlucky defender to make way. Steve Basham should also be ready for a full 90 minutes and with Manny Omoyinmi and Andy Scott approaching fitness it will be interesting to see who Atkins chooses to partner Bash up front. Both Jefferson Louis and Gavin Gordon played well against Villa, so either of them could be chosen too. Meanwhile ROS Chris Hackett has to sit this one out as he is serving his one game suspension for his dismissal against Shrewsbury.

Dale feature former United target Lee Hodges, as well as Simmo, but really don't have a lot with which to threaten the Us, who will only have themselves to blame if they fail to turn around their poor home form and don't beat Rochdale who are one of the Division's worst sides on current form. Of course having themselves to blame won't stop them blaming others, and we fully expect that the midweek exertions will have taken their toll. We predict a 1-0 win to Rochdale, with Andy Woodman not at fault for the goal.