Salisbury City are tonight's visitors to the United Stadium, as they face the Us for the first time in a league match.[@opponent]salisbury city[/@opponent][@connection]salisbury city[/@connection] Having lost their last two games, Oxford will be desperate for a win tonight but, with Salisbury in sixth place, four places above Oxford, this will not be an easy fixture for either side. It is clear, however, that there have been things going on behind the scenes at United in an effort to stop the rot, and it is to be hoped that this translates into both the performance and result on the pitch. We know that United have the personnel to mount a serious promotion challenge, so it is now a question of getting selection, tactics, and confidence right.

There will be at least one change for United to the team that started the game at Histon, as forward Marvin Robinson has gone to Cambridge United on a three-month loan spell, and goes straight into their squad for their game at home to league leaders Aldershot tonight. With Gary Twigg having turned his ankle in training, he is unlikely to make his comeback from injury tonight, so the most likely starters up front are Rob Duffy and Yemi Odubade, although Paul Shaw may be preferred to one or the other. While there was no goalie on the bench at Histon, Jim Smith is unlikely to risk that again, and so new loanee keeper Alex Cisak will almost certainly be on the bench, following the departure of Chris Tardif. There are no new injury worries for United, but Smith may well make one or two changes elsewhere, possibly bringing Michael Corcoran back into the defence, and maybe looking at trying a different combination in midfield, where the introduction of Michael Standing and, later, Danny Rose, did much to perk up the side at Histon.

Salisbury have won their last three games, without conceding a goal, and are looking the most likely of last season's four promoted clubs to mount and maintain a promotion challenge. This is in spite of featuring Robbo II, who joined them last season from Forest Green Rovers. There is a doubt over whether the bald one will be able to play for them tonight, as he received an injury in their 2-0 win over Northwich Victoria on Saturday, and he will face a late fitness test. Salisbury's assistant manager is Tommy Widdrington, who had an unsuccessful trial for United in 2003, scoring at Oxford City and playing against Spurs and Coventry. He actually looked quite good for an old'un, and we've no idea why he wasn't signed. For the record, Rage Online predicts that the backroom shakedown will lead to a 2-0 win for the Yellows.

Other games tonight include a west-country derby between second-placed Torquay United and Weymouth, while third-placed Stevenage Borough travel to Forest Green (well, they actually travel to Nailsworth, where they will play Forest Green). Burton Albion, in fifth place, will be hopeful of bringing home the points from second-bottom Droylsden, while Exeter City travel to Woking and Histon visit third-bottom Stafford Rangers. United's next opponents, York City, host Halifax live on Setanta on Thursday.