Rushden around

United entertain Rushden (if not the crowd) this Saturday hoping to do the double over the second placed team. They certainly need to do something to turn around their poor 2003 form which has seen them take just one point out of nine and somehow get eliminated from the FA Cup. Lee Steele should be back in contention for a place in the squad after suffering an injury in the reserves' game against Reading last week, and after his impressive display for the reserves yesterday it would be a shame (but not necessarily a surprise) if ROS Chris Hackett didn't at least make the bench.

Whilst we expect the back five (and the goalie of course) to be the same as at Southend, there could be changes elsewhere, as James Hunt was clearly not match fit at Roots Hall and this game possibly comes too close on the heels of it for him to be considered in the starting line-up. Roy Hunter is the likely replacement, especially after Dean Whitehead's lacklustre display for the reserves yesterday. In attack it's anyone's guess who will play, although we expect Steve Basham and David Oldfield to start, although Ian Atkins may possibly surprise us by picking Andy Scott again.

Rushden will be all out to avenge their defeat at Irthlingborough just after christmas and will no doubt have earmarked United's weaknesses for exploitation, and there are many of them to exploit. Certainly if they enjoy the same possession, and United employ the same tactics, as at Nene Park then the Oxford supporters can expect a depressing afternoon. In fact, whatever tactics Atkins decides to use we can't envisage ourselves enjoying the day too much at all, in spite of United's 100% home record against the merged village teams. Our prediction, as usual, is a 2-0 defeat.

King and Ricketts take a Tumble

Former United defender John Dreyer looks likely to take defenders Simon King and Sam Ricketts on loan until the end of the season at Stevenage Borough. Borough are currently second from bottom of the Conference and Dreyer will be hoping that the United duo will be able to shore up their leaky defence. Ricketts has had two loan spells at fellow Conference outfit Nuneaton Borough, whilst King has featured regularly for United's reserves, most recently in yesterday's draw against Cambridge.

Ian Atkins said he was happy to sanction this loan, but ruled out Dean Whitehead or ROS Chris Hackett leaving United as they allegedly are key players in his plans for the remainder of the season. Whether these plans involve them actually playing for the first team remains to be seen, but hopefully United supporters can take this as something positive for a change.