Shepheard's bye

The latest United player to be released from the club's roster is another centre-back, Jon Shepheard. The lanky youngster, who came through the club's youth system, played a handful of games last season, scoring against Wolves in the League Cup at the Manor, but never really looked likely to feature in a league team. He was injured for 18 months and then received another injury midway through his comeback game for the reserves. Shepheard's release is probably the most unsurprising piece of contract news ever to come out of the club.

Meanwhile two other released players have been offered trials at League clubs. Jorden Holder is hoping that he will be able to impress at Premiership Charlton Athletic, whilst goalkeeper Phil Wilson is trying his luck at Division Three bound Bournemouth.

Orienteering

Leyton Orient make their first visit to the Kassam Stadium tomorrow, hoping to take advantage of United's appalling current form (which has lasted approximately four seasons now). United have an injury doubt over Chris Hackett on the right wing, but Manny Omoyinmi could feature in the squad after impressing for the reserves recently.

There will be two definite changes as Andy Woodman starts for the first time since joining United permanently from Colchester and left back Lee Maddison has returned to Carlisle following the end of his loan spell so Simon King or Sam Ricketts will probably step in. Paul Moody may be recalled to the attack as Ian Atkins has taken to alternating Moody and Phil Gray recently, and Gray got the nod at York. Jefferson Louis could be in the squad, although we thought that last week and were proved wrong (so much for “informed sources”, eh?).

Orient thumped United at Brisbane Road during Mark Wright's death knells, but a similar result in Oxford is unlikely to have the same consequences for Ian Atkins, although some would argue that it should (but not us, oh no). With neither team having any league issues to play for (other than United trying to prevent achieving the club's worst ever league position, which is currently 18th in 1963 and 1964) this game could either go the way of recent single-goal defeats or else be totally off the wall. Rage Online prefers the anticipation of the latter option and so stupidly we predict a 7-2 victory for United. Well, you've gotta laugh, haven't you?