Wright suspended

Or has he been hung out to dry? A press statement released by United this evening has announced that Mark Wright has been suspended, on full pay, pending investigations into “the incidents” that took place during and after the Scunthorpe game last month. The incidents referred to, which cannot be called alleged racist abuse for legal reasons, took place when Wright confronted referee Joe Ross following the dismissals of Paul Moody and Phil Bolland, and again in the dressing rooms after the game. In his report to the Football Association Ross made the allegations against Wright, who denies them vehemently and the proof of which has yet to be ascertained.

This is a surprising move, many people have been thinking that Wright might be on the verge of dismissal but few would have anticipated this step. The obvious question is what happens in the interim, before Wright is either cleared (and, presumably, reinstated) or else found wanting (and, presumably, dismissed for gross misconduct). Does Ted McMinn act up as manager in Wright's stead, possibly with Mike Ford in the number two role, or will Ford be appointed as caretaker yet again, over McMinn's head? If the latter scenario how would McMinn react? If the former would McMinn want to step into Wright's shoes in such distasteful circumstances?

Interesting times at Oxford, yet again, and possibly the precursor to yet another managerial change. Possibly, even, the convenient excuse required in order to initiate a sought after managerial change, or is that too cynical?

Cheltenham preview

United welcome Cheltenham to Oxford tomorrow for the first ever League meeting between the two clubs, although the neighbours were great rivals in the Southern League during the 1950s and early '60s. Cheltenham are currently riding the crest of a wave, having scored a hatful of goals in their last couple of games. United, on the other hand, are riding the crest of a slump, having failed to score in their last three matches and having just suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Orient.

It is difficult to comment on any likely United line-up, when we're not even certain who's going to be picking the team yet. None of the usual crop of injury victims are likely to be fit enough to play just yet, and their number has probably been joined by ROS Rob Folland, who went off in the reserves' game at Colchester yesterday. Without knowing who will be in charge it is difficult even to determine the formation, but should McMinn decide then it is likely that he will go with the apparently preferred 3-4-3 at home games.

Cheltenham are another of that lucky band of clubs that have no former United players swelling their ranks, although they do have Julian Allsop who was allegedly a target of Wright's earlier in the season and who is currently their leading scorer. They are also managed by another former United target, Steve Cotterill, who was approached twice in quick succession by Kassam when he was looking for a successor to Denis Smith. Unfortunately we ended up with Dave Kemp and, possibly as a result, are now facing the Robins as equals, if not inferiors.

Should Wright have remained in the hot seat then Rage Online would, not unnaturally, have predicted another home humiliation for United. Now everything is up in the air and our usually ultra-reliable prediction machine has to be reprogrammed. It has come up with two scenarios: should McMinn be in charge then it says that United will lose 2-1; should the team be under the stewardship of Mike Ford then it predicts a very exciting 2-0 victory for the lads, to give Fordy his first ever win as United boss. Of course the darned thing is probably faulty…