It's Pouring!

There's an old saying 'that never rains but it pours' and that rings very true at the Showgrounds Ballymena at the present time, where not only first choice keeper, Dwayne Nelson, has been ruled out for at least this season if not into the next, but his understudy Stuarty Addis, has been ruled out for at least six months also. That prompted United manager, Glenn Ferguson, to scour the country and sign a replacement in former Shamrock Rovers keeper, Aaron Shanahan, who comes highly recommended by former United keeper, Dermot O'Neill. It's not known at this moment, whether Aaron's clearance will come through in time to let him play this Saturday, when the Mallards visit the Showgrounds, or will he have to wait to make his United debut in the Irish cup game at Tillysburn, against the Welders.

Bruce Balmer, made on-loan keeper, Johann Frenchy Lacroix, his 'man of the match' against Ards yesterday and the big Frenchman would still be available to slot in if Shan's clearance doesn't come through on time. I must say Frenchy performed admirably yesterday and I agree with Bruce, he was our outstanding player in that game. The rest of our team looked as if they had been out on the town, ringing out the old year and had stayed out too long, to ring in the new year. There was no fluidity about our football, but I could've lived with that, but they insisted on playing short free-kicks and the like and landing themselves in trouble in the process. Did Fergie and the three baldies take their collective eyes off the ball, in light of what's been happening round the Showgrounds in the last week or so.

I sincerely hope not, for we are going to need their full attention this month, when we have four league games and a cup match, that is going to define our season. I have no doubt former Sky Blues central defender, Gary Smyth, who's managing the Welders, is just relishing the thought of 'crossing swords' with his old adversary, Spike and will take great pleasure in taking him down and United in the process, we have to be up for that one. We have got away with two abject performances since we beat the Crues on Christmas Saturday at the Showgrounds and acquired 4 points in the process, but this won't do against the Mallards this Saturday and I shudder to think what the Welders will do if we are not up for the tie with them, it won't be pretty to watch, but we need to win it and that's all that matters.

We have three players walking the tightrope as far as bookings are concerned, JT, Tony K, 9 apiece and Gavin 4. If these three players can avoid being booked in our next two matches they should be available until nearly the end of January. JT and Tony are one booking away from a 2 match suspension and Gavin a one match suspension and we have Mark 'ham shank' Courtenay refereeing this Saturday, I'll be nervous just watching him to see how he reacts to the first bad tackle, although with 'ham shank' you can't take anything for granted, we will just have to suck it and see. Finally I just want to take this opportunity in wishing all Sky Blue players, management and all Sky Blue fans, wherever they may be, a happy and prosperous New Year and come on Sky Blues, let's do the bouncey!