In and Around The Ox...

In what should be a thrilling game, Chris Wilder brings his Oxford United side to The Mem tomorrow afternoon looking to heap a second successive defeat on our resurgent Rovers. It's already being billed as game of the day in League Two and it is a game we should relish. It'll be a real yardstick to chart just how far we have progressed over the past few weeks under Mark McGhee and it allows the players to gain revenge for the 3-0 mauling we endured in the reverse fixture at The Kassam Stadium in October. The defeat to Shrewsbury, as I noted on Wednesday, was a cruel blow and didn't reflect just how well we defended in the rest of the game (but as we know, one lapse in concentration and you'll get punished by the better sides) so we have shown we are capable of matching the best sides in this division. Oxford certainly fit in to that category so it will provide a good indicator for us to measure our recent improvement.

We sustained no new injuries in midweek which is a positive for McGhee and to increase the difficulty in his team selection for tomorrow, we welcome back Chris Zebroski following his 2-game suspension for accumulating 10 yellow cards. The irrepressible forward has received cult status among a number of fans for his recent performances and rightly so. His performance and goal at Cheltenham justifies this and also goes a long way in suggesting why the Robins made a bid for the striker prior to the Transfer Window closing a few weeks ago. Personally I'd start Zebs tomorrow as I think he brings something to the party that no other player does. His energy and desire to cause the opposition defence problems rubs off on his team-mates, even if he does frustrate them sometimes with a poor final ball, and it can only be a positive thing when out on the pitch. I'm sure the likes of Michael Duberry won't enjoy Zebs' harassment, so starting him is a must in my opinion, despite the good performances of all who have played in his place. You guys may argue that we need Matty Harrold's height or Joe Anyinsah's power, but the unpredictable nature of CZ is worth gambling on!

Oxford themselves have a few selection dilemmas, but there's is also a positive one for manager Chris Wilder to have. He has recently strengthened his squad with the loan signings of one-time Rovers target Lee Holmes from Southampton, Scott Rendell - a player who was with us earlier this season - from Wycombe Wanderers and Mehdi Kerrouche from fierce rivals Swindon Town, ensuring they have a number of attacking options to utilise alongside James Constable. Defender Damian Batt returns from a suspension similar to that CZ endured and could come back in to the side for Andy Whing although the side who defeated Dagenham may remain in place. Either way, with whatever happens selection-wise, the U's will put out a very strong and offensive side that we'll have to overcome.

Both sides will be well supported tomorrow which should make for a cracking atmosphere, so even if the action on the pitch fails to deliver, there should be plenty to shout about in the stands. They seem to rate their travelling support highly and although I know they are among the best in this league, I'll reserve judgement on just how good they are until after tomorrow's game.

Which way is this going to go? It's incredibly difficult to predict this one, we'll want to 'start a new run' with victory over one of the sides better teams in League Two, but our visitors want to instigate a larger gap between themselves and the chasing Play-Off pack so will be intent on winning themselves. Fireworks is what to expect, I reckon. If you fancy a flutter ahead of the game, stick a fiver on a Gas 3-1 win. If it pays, I want a cut!

Come on Gas, 3 points please!