As derby games go, United versus Wycombe isn’t a particularly significant one. There’s no great rivalry between the supporters, no real history or tradition attached to it, and it’s points rather than pride that’s at stake. Compared to games against swindon or Reading, there’s no meat to a match against Wycombe, a distinctly low calorie encounter.

The lack of passion engendered by this match might be about to change, though, all thanks to one man. Tommy Mooney, who left swindon to join Oxford at the end of 2003/04, has since moved on to the Chairboys, a move considered by some emotional types to be “not cricket”, as it would appear maintenance of his pay-cheque was the determining factor behind Mooney’s decision to extend his weekday commute by 25 miles (each way). Far be it for us to venture an opinion, but it seems little different to the way that he discarded swindon from his CV, and similar to how many other players (Mark Rawle and Stuart Gray spring to mind) came to join United. There will undoubtedly be some misguided souls who will feel the need to vent spleen at Mr Mooney, in a move that will probably backfire in the same way that Nigel Jemson’s tormentors caused him to raise his game against us.

There are no reports of any new injury worries for Brian Talbot’s men, and it seems probable that he will retain the same line-up that has started the last two games. One possible change would be to replace the under-performing Steve Basham with the quicker and more powerful Craig Davies, although Talbot might feel that it’s still too early to write off Basham’s chances just yet.

Wycombe have started the season in similar fashion to United, drawing at home to Carlisle in their first game (when Mooney scored their equaliser), and then winning 2-1 at Rochdale on Tuesday. They are among the promotion favourites this season, and will certainly prove tougher opposition than the rather ineffective Torquay side on Wednesday. However, the optimism created following our impressive two game unbeaten run leads us to predict an exciting 1-1 draw, with Mooney no doubt scoring for them.