This Saturday there is a meaningless end-of-season mid-table clash at the KasStad, between United and Grimsby, one place above the Us. It is possible, although extremely unlikely, that a bizarre sequence of results could see Oxford still in contention for a play-off place in a couple of months, but breath won’t be held in this niche of the Thames Valley. The disappointment over United’s run of results in February, since Ramon Diaz was awarded the Manager of the Month accolade for January, has been compounded by the uncertainty over the future of Diaz and Horacio Rodriguez and the rest of the entourage once the current season ends.

United welcome back their two missing defenders, Matt Robinson and Mateo Corbo, and they will almost certainly go straight back into the side, probably in place of Leo Roget and David Woozley. Terry Parker, who was on the bench last Saturday at Cambridge, has been loaned to Farnborough Town for the remainder of the season. However, Diaz still won’t be able to field his preferred line-up, as skipper Lee Bradbury has notched up five bookings and will be suspended. We suspect that Lucas Cominelli or Paul Wanless will replace Bradders, as this is probably a game too soon for Jamie Brooks. Tommy Mooney is likely to play, despite having a headful of stitches after an elbow to his head at the Abbey. The problem facing the medical staff is finding a way to protect the wound, on the top of his bonce.

United drew 1-1 at Grimsby in Diaz’s second game in charge, although Grim’s goalscorer that day, Colin Cramb, has since moved to Hamilton Accies. They still have a potent strike-force though, with ex-Sunderland striker Michael Reddy, and former Oxford target Martin Gritton. With there being little to play for, Rage Online will stick with our staple prediction of 1-1.