Turning of the Shrews

Jemmo's back in town on Saturday, no doubt already anticipating with relish the chorus of boos and abuse he will receive from a United crowd that without fail doesn't learn its lessons. Let's hope that Oxford's new found defensive resilience (notable by its absence on Tuesday) will be able to cope with the fired-up striker this time around. There will almost certainly be changes from the side that capitulated to Bournemouth in the first half, although it's unlikely that any alterations will be made to the defence, other than the return of Scott McNiven to right wing back and Matt Robinson to left wing back (we can't see Ian Atkins returning to a flat back four just yet).

In midfield Bobby Ford will still be unavailable, so Atkins' choice of who to play alongside James Hunt and Dave Savage comes down to who out of Dave Waterman, Roy Hunter or Dean Whitehead best fits the bill. We anticipate that it will be Hunter. Up front there are still several question marks: will Andy Scott be fit again? Is Manny available? Has Jefferson Airplane done enough to start again? What about Oldfield? Will Steve Basham be on the bench? Our guess is Scott and Louis up front.

Last season young Mr Jemson was the architect of the Us' downfall, but this time he's another year older, another year fatter. That's not to say that he still won't score against us, of course he will, and will doubtless be a happy bunny, riding on the jeers that the United faithful will inexplicably throw his way. If this is the case then Rage Online predicts another 1-0 win to Shrewsbury. Let's hope our record of inaccuracies continues.

No to Potters

Ian Atkins today dismissed reports that he was likely to take up the vacant manager's position at Stoke City. He was named as favourite for the position in the Daily Star, that paragon of accurate reporting, but he denied that he has had any contact with the Potters and he claimed that his job at United is only three-quarters complete. Whatever his virtues, or lack of them, it would be most unhelpful were he to leave United at the moment, especially as it would doubtless lead to any successor changing things around again when Oxford has the most settled squad it has had for several seasons. Part of Atkins' remaining quarter of the job almost certainly includes the shipping out of more players, with Paul Powell considered the favourite to be given his P45. Let's hope that the Rage On sponsorship curse doesn't also spell the end for young Chris Hackett, superstar.