The Land Deal WILL happen

Rage Online has learned from sources both within the City Council and at the football club that the land deal will be signed tomorrow. Both parties declared that this is definitely going to happen. The delay was caused by the Council's solicitors wanting to negotiate on certain clauses. This effectively gives Firoz Kassam the green light to get the builders back on site and it is hoped that work will recommence within a fortnight. Once this has happened the ball is assuredly in Kassam's court concerning the future direction of the club, and the fans will be looking to him for a sign of his commitment to United's future, especially concerning investment in new players.

The return of the Smith

It was revealed today, after several days speculation, that former United supremo and Next England Manager Denis Smith has been named Oxford United manager until the end of the season. The move follows a run of desparately poor results for Mickey Lewis, whose tactical and man-management skills have been found wanting in recent weeks, and was actually hailed as a good thing by those fans with short memories. Obviously the best way to judge this appointment is by the results on the field, and if Smith is able to drag United out of the relegation mire then it must be considered a success. One of Smith's first tasks must be to consider the eleven players who are out of contract at the end of the season and urgently offer new ones to those deserving of them, especially Mark Watson and Pål Lundin, without whom United's struggle will undoubtedly continue next season. For the players involved the uncertainty over their future must be unsettling and undoubtedly affects their game. Watson leaves for California and the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday, so it's unlikely that anything will happen before his return. Smith's first match in charge is against his old adversary Steve McMahon, now boss at Blackpool, before which there will be a one minute silence in memory of Martin Aldridge. Aldridge was a close friend, and former room-mate, of Matt Murphy, who has felt Aldo's death very keenly.

For those of you who can't remember what it looks like…

Pompey Lager

John Durnin's loan spell at Carlisle has now ended and he has returned to Portsmouth.