Keep Going!

United manager Spike has to encourage his troops to keep going and doing the things they are good at, like defending 'tooth and nail' and hitting the opposition on the break. It's a tried and trusted method, in truth it has brought us a lot of draws, but that's because we are not as clinical in front of goals as we need to be. Statistics show we have only conceded 14 goals against and we share that distinction with Dung, Scum and the, Reds so you see we are getting better at defending. But this is no time to be complacent, we have just completed the first phase of fixtures and it would be nice to start the second phase with a win tomorrow at Ballyskeagh. It'll be tough to arrest the Whites mini-revival, but this is a match we need to win if we are to progress up the Dankse Premiership table.

Johnny Taylor has been pronounced fit and it'll be interesting to see if Spike starts him or continues with Cookie and Archie. If Johnny starts who will have make way is an interesting topic of conversation and one we would not like to second guess. We don't know if Ross Black has recovered from his injury picked up at home to Glenavon, but if not, Spike could move Archie to leftback, but we think he'll want a specialist in that position and Vaulsey gets our vote, Ruddy is good, but Vaulsey is more versatile. At 'Sport we think Thommo and Alan D are too alike and it's unlikely Spike will start the two of them in midfield. Better to pick the midfield trio of last week for it gives the side a bit of balance and keep Alan D on the bench. The same forwards if fit, should surely start, but knowing Spike he could rest Jamie and start Lowry to lead the line.

He and his backroom staff will have a report on the Whites,on their strengths and their weakness and this info will govern who he picks to start. If they feel Lowry is the best man to start, they'll have no hesitation of throwing him in at the deep end and keeping young Jamie on the bench. We haven't heard a 'dickie bird' about our two enigmas, Elvis and Baker and assume they're getting their fitness levels up in order to be available for our Shield semi against DC and the Irn Bru against Linfield, for victories in these two matches could really kick-start our season. But first there is the small matter of the Whites away tomorrow and the league leaders next Saturday at home. We can win this game, but it will take everybody playing for the team and that includes our fickle fans, no excuses 'shepherds', come out and support the Sky Blues, you need to be there in person, we need everybody committed to the cause. Come on Sky Blues, let's shag those Lambeg Lily Whites!