United's reserves tonked Gillingham's stiffs 5-0 this evening with goals from Jamie Cook, Ben Abbey and Jon Shepheard in the first half followed by second half strikes by Dean Whitehead and a spectacular (some might say flukey) scissors kick by Simon Weatherstone. The team also included Phil Whelan and Jamie Lambert, but no sign of Witney Town striker Carl Henry, currently on trial at the Manor.
Whilst Derby's Jim Smith is being linked with the managerial vacancy at Oxford, Steve MacLaren and Bruce Rioch have been linked with Derby, where there is (currently) no vacancy. We have also heard that Walsall's Ray Graydon was seen at the Manor last Saturday, shaking hands with Firoz Kassam. Meanwhile the bookies have made Mark Wright favourite for the job (6-4) with short odds also on Denis Smith (ulp!) who has said that if United approached him he would be interested. Wright has expressed a more positive attitude towards taking the job, as has caretaker boss Mickey Lewis. Ruud Gullit was quoted at 500-1 for the post!
Apparently Stoke City's problems continue to mount as an Icelandic consortium has pulled out of buying the club, which has spent ten year's worth of sponsorship in one season, and that wasn't even on strengthening the team. Read the Reuters Daily News site for more information.