Bottom half

For the first time this season United find themselves in the bottom half of Division Three, following today's results elsewhere. Oxford are now 14th. Rushden remain top following their 2-0 win over Scunthorpe, whilst United's opponents next Saturday, Hartlepool, have gone second after they beat Hull 2-0. Rochdale are now third after their 5-2 win at Wrexham, which included a hat-trick from Paul Simpson. Another former U who hit three was Nigel Jemson, but Shrewsbury were already 4-0 down when Jemmo struck and Bury ended up 4-3 winners. Boston United remain bottom on one point after going down 2-0 at York, for whom Lee Nogan scored the second. United's conquerors on Saturday, Southend, won again, this time beating Cambridge United 2-1. Former United target Tony Bedeau scored Torquay's winner in their Devon derby game at Exeter, for whom another former U's target, James Coppinger, scored the equaliser as they went down 2-1.

In the Conference Ben Abbey was again on the scoresheet for Woking as they beat Leigh RMI 3-0.

Bournemouth tomorrow

If United beat Bournemouth tomorrow they could leap up to fourth in the table. The only team playing that is currently above Oxford is Carlisle, who travel to Darlington for what is effectively a derby match for them. Faustino Asprilla has apparently agreed personal terms with Darlo and is now just waiting on a work permit. The only other Div 3 game sees second-bottom Bristol Rovers entertain Swansea, so if results go against us tomorrow United could potentially drop another three places. Still, as Andy Crosby says, good teams don't lose two in a row….

If United have no new injury worries after the Southend game they will probably start with the same eleven again, unfortunately. However if Bobby Ford is considered match fit then we would highly recommend that he be brought into the side in place of Dave Waterman. We would also like to see either Dean Whitehead or ROS Chris Hackett on the right wing in place of David Oldfield, who is steady but lacks the pace and flair to really worry opposing fullbacks, especially if Dave Savage remains on the left as between them they don't offer United enough width. Rage Online has once again had our optimistic tendencies trampled on by the Southend result and therefore we find ourselves unable to predict anything other than a win for the Cherries, probably 2-1 after United take an early lead.