Oh Dear! what happened to the prediction of promotion certainties?
Pass me the darts, Im feeling faint.

QUOTE "FC United have slipped to second-bottom of the Unibond Premier League after a 1-0 home defeat to Buxton" SAM WILLIAMS

Mr Williams needs to get his facts right. This article is misleading and even inaccurate. FC United are actually fourth from the bottom of the table with four games in hand over league leaders Ashton United. The league is so tight this season if FC United win the games in hand we have due to our unusually extended run of games in FA competitions we will only be 5 points behind the league leaders, the same amount of points United are behind Chelsea.

Here's what Mr Williams might have wrote if he’s done his homework.

After earning a place in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy in midweek, the Reds looked to get their league endeavours back on track with a victory over struggling Buxton. However, the visitors hadn’t read the script. The Bucks started the brighter of the two, testing the United defence from the off. The Derbyshire side were also forced into a substitution within the first five minutes, with Grant Black replacing the injured Sam Liversidge. A good move from FC United saw Carlos Roca receive the ball on the right and beat his man as he dribbled down the wing and sent a decent cross into the box, forcing a clearance over the bar from a defender. In the first clear-cut chance of the game, coming in the latter stages of the half, a first-time ball from Joe Yoffe into the path of Simon Carden saw the midfielder charge goalwards and unleash a shot that was almost certainly headed for the back of the net. However, Scott Hartley produced a great save - tipping the ball onto the cross bar denying the Reds in what was the first real test for either keeper. Jerome Wright had the chance to put United in front as the half came to an end. A decent ball in was headed across the box by Tong and Wright did well to squeeze a shot in ahead of the defender, however Hartley made another good stop down to his right. In the same burst of pressure, Wright picked out Roca across the area and the winger’s shot on goal was scrambled off the line by the Buxton defence. Ashton was forced into action early into the second half, making a good punch out from a Buxton shot on goal. Minutes later he was picking the ball out of the back of the net. A mix-up in the defence between Tong and Ashton proved to be FC’s downfall on 53 minutes. Buxton played the ball out to Gavin Knight wide on the right wing and the attacker took advantage of the confusion in the United defence, lobbing the FC United keeper to leave the Reds chasing the game. United were denied what appeared to be a blatant free kick on the edge of the Buxton area as Phil Marsh was brought down by Hartley who had rushed off his line to close down the striker. All appeals were however waved away by the referee. Just before the hour mark, Simon Carden was replaced by the returning Adam Carden who resumed his place at right-back, changing the formation. Ludovic Quistin was able to assume his natural position on the left side at full-back, pushing Simon Garner into the central midfield. As FC looked to fight back, Jamie Mack and Dave Neville were later introduced for Garner and Marsh as United looked to shake things up. Good build up from the Reds saw Carden cross the ball to Wright and Yoffe at the back post. Neither could push the ball beyond Hartley and a scrambled clearance was made. With 10 minutes of the game remaining, United were still failing to find the target and the visitors continued to push forward. As the full-time whistle blew, a distinct air of disappointment shrouded Gigg Lane after what was an under-par performance from the Reds.

This is what happens when you make a greengrocer a football manager!

free red

we have been midiocre all season at best, mid-table finish at best

Free Red is spot on. I have never seen a league table quite like this one. Ashton, at the top, have lost 6 games. FC have lost 7. Their goal difference is actually MINUS 1, FC's being PLUS 3. They have 32 points, meaning that should FC win their games in hand, we would be just 3 points behind them. It really is a crazy situation, and it is clear that any team putting together a decent run could win this league. With everbody beating everyone else, FC have just as must chance as anyone. We are playing good football and dominating games but haven't had the breaks recently. That can't go on forever. Two or three wins on the bounce and evrything changes. Come on FC !

I see the muppet show is back. Our 34-year trophyless friend said :-

This is what happens when you make a greengrocer a football manager!

No, this is what happens actually :-

• The UniBond League, 1st Division North Play-off: Winners 2007-08
• The UniBond League President's Cup: Winners 2007-08
• North West Counties Division One: Champions 2006-07
• North West Counties League Challenge Cup: Winners 2006-07
• North West Counties Division Two: Winners 2005-06
• The Jimmy Davis Memorial Cup: Winners 2007
• The Supporters Direct Cup: Winners 2006

Not counting of course the 18 trophies won by our youth team since our formation. You really do talk the most awful garbage. You just make yourself a laughing stock. By the way, did you know that Hughes is the 17th consecutive trophyless City manager since you last won one ? Muppet indeed.

Can I have half a pound of Carrots, two stalks of Broccoli and some King Edwards please?

Is it just me or cries of "game in hand" usually the sounds of a poor and desperate argument lost?? The thing is, FC is so overmatched and under-funded this year with their lot of men, they have ZERO chance of promotion are may be headed to relegation.

They get where water can't these Cheshire bitters don't they? As Free Red pointed out, anyone who comes from Stalybridge or Dukinfield who think's they are from Manchester are not worth commenting on. I know Dukinfield Bitter well as i've read his comments about Mark Hughes and his "sack him he's useless" drone which he has done from day 1. He's as laughed at on the Citeh site as much as he is on here. As for Trash Walny...as usual, not a clue about what he's commenting on. "Poor and desperate argument lost" eh? Yes you lost it about 4 years ago when you said it would be over after a year....and you've repeated the mantra ever since...and we're still here and won't be going away any time soon. You're in the very tiny minority boys as you're the only 3 who ever come on here slagging us off. Yer pathetic!

The team in 2nd place lost at home last night to a team near the bottom. This division is crazy this season and ANY team that finds a bit of consistency can go up.

Well said Si. Isn't it strange how Curly, Larry and Mo only come on when we lose ? Yet when we win, the silence is deafening. Never heard from them during our FA Cup run. Odd that. As Si said, we're still here and we are going nowhere other than onwards and upwards. They had best get used to it.

Simple Si in Audenshaw, WOW and you have the nerve to call me bitter, you need to read your own rantings sometimes. anyway got to go now, Margy will be round in a bit with my weekly fruit and Veg!.

Oh dear, Duck Egg ! As out of touch as ever I see. Margy gave up that job a very long time ago. He now divides his time between his coaching duties at both Manchester College and FC. Does an awful lot of work in the community too, but it's ok, YOU won't see him. He doesn't do "CARE in the Community".

What rantings would they be then bitterest bitter? Can you elaborate? Unlike you, i don't rant. Also, unlike you, i know where i live. I only state facts such as stating you are a sad man. Now toddle off back to calling for Hughes's head on Citeh's pages and being ridiculed there. Off you pop.

Prestwich Red, i agree. This league is wide open and anyone winning 4 or 5 on the bounce will be right up there. I don't think many teams, if any have managed that in this division this season. We haven't been playing badly at all of late.

rags fans team lost again.ah happy days

Ohh! There's a new bitter wandering over. Hi Mark, unlike Citeh fans we don't call for the head of our manager after 5 draws. There's a whole squadron of you doing that on your pages, so i notice. All those millions and you're still not happy. Never mind eh? It's just your lot in life i'm afraid :-))

As far as I'm concerned Mark Hughes is still a Red footballing genius. He spends £200million on players ciddy still can't put a winning run together. Five draws in a row from five consecutive games. Special kind of talent is that bettered only by 'pool. At least we can pull back the points. ciddy's league season is over before Xmas.

Next up, Hucknall Town FC v FC United, Saturday 14th November 2009, Kick off 3:00pm. This game is to be played at Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, NG15 6EY. Admission POTG: Adults £8 Concessions £6

Travel: By Car: M1 Junction 27. A608 to Hucknall, turn right at traffic lights, A611 to Hucknall, turn right at roundabout onto by-pass. At second roundabout, turn right onto B6009, Watnall Road. Ground is on the right.

By Train: Takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly to Hucknall change at Nottingham, followed by a 20 minute walk. Alternatively 1 hour 30 minutes Manchester Piccadilly to Langley Mill, walk 5 minutes to Cromford Road, then catch bus #AMB to the ground (29 minutes). Train details can be found at www.thetrainline.com

Mark Jones eh ? Another sad bitter whose only pleasure in life is when United or FC lose. Nowt else to cheer you up is there ? A 34 year trophy drought, (is it true you lot think a trophy is a pint of bitter that Whitbreads used to do ?) living forever in a giant red shadow and just being "oh yeah, they're the "other" team in Manchester". I am a bit concerned though now you are here, as we already have the Three Stooges, so we will have to think of a name for you now. How about "Skid" ?

wall of sound- yeah sounds good what ever floats your boat

si east manchester- yeah cheers i was at a loose end so i thought id come and see how the real rags communicate, just the same really, the same us against the world garbage.

FC United assistant manager Roy Soule has called on the Reds to start being more ruthless to get back up the UniBond Premier Division table starting with a win at Hucknall Town on Saturday.

United’s current league form is lost three won two, due to that and runs in the FA Cup and Trophy, the Reds have slipped down the league and currently sit in 18th place. However, with four games in hand Soule knows a good run of results could easily close the 15 point gap between the Reds and league leaders Ashton United.

Roy said: “We’ve got excellent players but we need to start winning games rather than putting in great performances. Wins breed confidence and once we’ve got that back then we can concentrate on playing good football again. At the moment it’s victories that we need the most.

“I’m a great believer in hard work and I don’t think we’ve been working hard enough. We want to play when we’ve got the ball but we don’t want to get the ball when we want to play. We need to be more efficient, meaner and hungrier. And when we’ve got the impetus we need to take advantage by being more clinical.”

For the trip to Hucknall; Dave Neville is suspended, Tunji Moses has shaken off a virus that kept him out last week but is unlikely to be fit enough to make the starting 11 whilst David Chadwick and Danny Warrender are still struggling with what Roy calls ‘deep rooted’ problems with their hips. If they fail to be passed fit then Nick Swirad could continue at the back after two impressive displays.

Roy said: “Nick has put in a good account for himself. He was man of the match against Lancaster and he put in an equally competent performance against Buxton. He’s staked a claim and now it’s up to him to carry on putting in performances like that.”

Roy does think that the current squad is capable of mounting a serious title challenge but he said: “I’m never happy with a situation, there’s always room for improvement. Karl and I are always looking for players, don’t think we’re in our own cocoons and we don’t see things that need improving.

“We never rest on our laurels, we’re always out there doing things to improve the team but it’s pointless bringing in a player who is just as good as what we’ve already got, if we’re going to bring someone in they need to be better than (current players). We’ve got a couple of irons in the fire at the moment and we’ll see what develops.”

Mark Jones what are you on about? Us against the world garbage? I'm happy to have a conversation with any City fan who has something intelligent to offer but i've yet to witness it on here...just the usual nonsense being posted by the same City fans full of spite for a non-league club for some reason. If you're going to post stuff like you have on FC United threads you're going to get abuse in return. I have never posted on City's threads and there's a good reason for that....i'm just not interested in what City are doing.