Silvery linings (ish)

The less bad news after yesterday's defeat is that all the other teams involved in the relegation scrap also lost, so United didn't lose any ground on those above us. Luton went down 4-1 at Reading whilst Swansea lost 2-1 at Wycombe. Port Vale also played on Friday, losing 2-0 at home to Rotherham whilst our good friends down the A420 went down 1-0 at Bury. Bristol Rovers lost 3-2 to their City neighbours on Friday night. Oldham and Brentford drew 1-1 at Griffin Park whilst Cambridge lost 3-1 at Walsall and Bournemouth, our opponents on Boxing Day, lost 2-1 at home to Millwall.

United will have two enforced changes for the Boxing Day clash as both Lee Jarman and Steve Anthrobus are suspended after amassing five bookings each. This news will not be too distressing for U's supporters. There is still no news on the two players for whom United have put in bids and it is uncertain whether or not Neil Cutler will keep his place after his errors at Colchester. One thing that is certain is that any new players will have to be permanent signings as Cutler is the final permitted loan signing United can make this season following Leon Mike, Guy Whittingham, Keith Brown and Keith Andrews.