United travel to second-bottom Rushden & Diamonds tomorrow, hoping to end the current poor away form that has not seen them win on the road in their last three games. United’s last away win was at second-placed Dagenham & Redbridge, in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying round, since when the Us have lost at Wycombe and Gravesend, and then found themselves 2-0 down at Stevenage before coming back to gain a point. Oxford have a mixed record against [@opponent]Rushden & Diamonds[/@opponent] the Diamonds, having won three and lost three of their nine previous competitive fixtures. However, United haven’t beaten Rushden since January 2003, when two goals from current Diamond Dave Savage [@player]Savage, David[/@player]contributed to a 3-0 scoreline. Last season’s result is one that Oxford will be hoping to forget, as they went down 3-0 and had new signing John Dempster, who arrived from Rushden in the same deal as Andy Burgess, sent off for reacting badly to a poor challenge by Darren Caskey on Burgess.

Jim Smith will be forced to make at least one change from the side that drew at Stevenage last Saturday, as centre-back Chris Willmott has a thigh strain that forced him to be substituted at half time at Broadhall Way. Matt Day is the most likely replacement, although Dempster can also play in that role. Hopefully Smith will refrain from the kind of experimentation that saw the defence struggling at Stevenage. Billy Turley has apparently recovered from the concussion that saw him replaced by Chris Tardif at half time, and is likely to be back in the side to face his former club. Smith has again declared that he prefers Yemi Odubade as a substitute, which means that he has to choose who to partner former Rushden player, and Conference joint-top scorer Rob Duffy, up front. The most likely option is Steve Basham, given that Jamie Slabber has so far failed to impress, Marvin Robinson (another ex-Diamond) is still injured, and Andy Burgess is much more effective in midfield.

Since their relegation along with Oxford last season, the Irthlingborough boys have spectacularly failed to emulate United’s start to the season, and they find themselves second from bottom of the Conference, equal on points to bottom side Southport. This is hardly surprising, as the club has imploded since Boot boy Max Griggs withdrew his funding a couple of seasons ago, and the Diamonds are on course for a third successive relegation. There are many links between the two sides, in addition to the ones mentioned above. Former United defender Jon Ashton [@player]Ashton, Jon[/@player] is currently injured, but the merged club also includes that model of cultured football, Wayne Hatswell. [@player]Hatswell, Wayne[/@player]Others who have contributed to the histories of both sides include former goalkeeper and author Andy Woodman[@player]Woodman, Andy [/@player], live-wire winger Stuart Gray [@player]Gray, Stuart[/@player], United’s current goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson, and of course that tactical genius, Brian Talbot [@manager]Talbot, Brian[/@manager]. There are probably loads of others, but our brain is already melting just thinking about that lot. Of course, looking at league positions and current form, United should win this game at a canter. Rushden haven’t won a league game since mid-September, when they won 4-1 at Tamworth, and they are without a manager (although Tamworth’s Mark Cooper has been tipped to be appointed) and face uncertainty behind the scenes, where the supporters trust has recently sold the club to invester Keith Cousins. As such, we really ought to predict an away win and, believe it or not, that’s exactly what we’re going to do, heavens forfend. Rage Online’s prediction for tomorrow’s game is a 2-0 win to Oxford. Nurse, more medication please.

The only other Conference fixture that really is of any interest to Us fans is that of Dagenham & Redbridge, who visit Exeter City. We will be looking for some Grecian favours in that match. Burton, who are third, eleven points behind the Yellows, host Aldershot, while fourth-placed Weymouth visit Northwich. York City, who occupy the final play-off place, travel to Grays Athletic. United’s opponents in next week’s FA Trophy, Lewes, host Weston-super-Mare in the Conference South. Who would ever have thought that this fixture would merit a mention on Rage Online?