Kassam Showdown

If we are to make it to the play-offs we surely must take advantage of Oxford United loss of form and win at the Kassam Stadium in a rare Friday night game ...

The home side were one of the high flyers but lost manager Chris Wilder to Northampton and have struggled in recent weeks.

They're still in the play-off zone - some seven points ahead of us - but have lost four out of the last six and haven't won for a month folloiwng a defeat of Mansfield at home by 3-0.

By contrast we've run into some decent form and certainly were full value for the 4-0 against a decent Bristol Rovers side last week. We've got into the habit of keeping clena sheets at home, and more of the same would do very nicely at the Kassam.

Marlon Harewood could be the key factor. His willingness to graft, and his undoubted skill and experience, is bringing other players into the game, and now he is contributing on the goal front we do have a realistic prospect of sneaking into the play-offs. That's why Friday's game is so important.

Michael Duckworth is close to returning, and may be on the bench, but Colin Cooper is likely to stick with the two young full backs who have done him so well in recent games. Darren Holden and Jordan Richards have come out of the youth system which also created Brad Walker.

The 17 year old's stunner last week will have more than interested the watching scouts. By all accounts Stoke were in for him, but he wisely decided that first team experience at Pools would stand himin good stead in the longer term. Cannot see him being here next seaosn but the very best wishes to him.

l