Ramon Diaz faces his first away game in charge of United tomorrow, in the exotic surroundings of North Lincolnshire. There can’t be too many Argentinian World Cup strikers who have graced the dugout at Blundell Park, and by the same token, there can’t be too many teams of Grimsby’s grandeur that Diaz has faced. However, Diaz surely won’t take anything for granted, and hopefully will have los Amarillos all fired up after their two-days bonding session at Heythrop Park.

Oxford’s starting line-up remains uncertain, although no new players have been brought in yet as Diaz wants to see what the current crop get up to in an away match, where allegedly the pressure will be less intense. If Chris Tardif has recoved sufficiently from his back injury he is likely to replace Bradie Clarke in goal, and Jon Ashton completes his suspension, so Dave Woozley will probably keep his place in defence. What is less clear is whether Diaz and Horacio Rodriguez will tinker with the rest of the line-up so that they can see what the other players can do. If so, expect to see Steve Basham return to the side, and possibly Paul Wanless, Rob Wolleaston, Terry Parker, and Lee Molyneaux could feature. Unfortunately Tom Winters and Danny Brown aren’t yet fit enough to join the squad.

If Oxford do somehow manage to win they will go above Grimsby and, more importantly, put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone (let’s keep schtum about catching up with the promotion places for the time-being). However, away at Grimsby on a cold December evening isn’t the most conducive environment to producing those silky Latin skills that we’re all anticipating, and so Rage Online reckons that we’ll be struggling to get a point. Our traditionally pessimistic prediction is for a 1-0 win to the home side. Andalay, andalay!