For the second consecutive Saturday Oxford are forced to play against Rochdale. Demeaning enough in itself, but this match comes hot on the heels of United’s defeat in the FA Cup to this little-known Mancunian suburb. Of course, this time round the game could be regarded as the start of a new era, or the penultimate match of the old era, possibly, as Darren Patterson takes charge of the Oxford first team for the first time, and Graham Rix gets used to life in the Directors’ Box.

Following all the good noises that have been emerging about Patterson taking charge, it will be interesting to see what kind of team he picks, and what kind of football they are likely to play. It will be equally interesting to see if he keeps Lee Bradbury as captain or if, as a defender himself, he chooses someone further back in the line-up. Unfortunately, one of the problems with the current United squad is the lack of a natural leader since Andy Crosby left, but perhaps Patto, or Gaffer as he seems to be known, has a trick up his sleeve. Following his involvement with the youth team and reserves Patto won’t be shy about including some of the younger members of the squad in his side, and if he’s fit then Tom Winters could find himself in with a chance of an appearance. Patterson has apparently been given leeway to bring in new players should he wish, although this Saturday might come too soon for any new faces in the squad. The starting line-up will probably be somewhat similar to that which started last week up at Spotland, but then again it might not be.

Rochdale have no new injury worries after their last-gasp winner on Saturday, and they also have Neil Edwards and Greg Heald fit for selection following injury. Following last week’s defeat United have everything to prove, and will be determined to turn over Rochdale, victims of United’s first victory under Rix at the tail end of last season. We’re not even going to bother making a prediction for this one, as we genuinely haven’t got a clue how it’s going to turn out. Call us chicken, we don’t care!