| United will be hoping to bring an end to their drawing habit when they entertain Tamworth at Brunton Park this Saturday. Despite the fact they are unbeaten after seven games, a total of five draws means the Cumbrians are currently in 9th place, a couple of points short of the play-off places. An improved display at Woking last Saturday brought praise from manager Paul Simpson, but he realises the importance of getting three points on the board against the Midlanders. Tamworth have lost their last three games without scoring and have slipped to 15th place after getting off to a promising start. Player-manager Mark Cooper has plenty of problems, starting with a series of injuries. The son of former Leeds and England star Terry Cooper is himself ruled out of Saturday's clash after picking up an ankle injury in the 2-0 home defeat to leaders Barnet last weekend. Top scorer Tris Whitman is also nursing an ankle knock. Veteran Bob Taylor came on as a substitute and could start the game at Carlisle. The 37-year-old scored both goals for Cheltenham when they defeated United 2-1 last November, but by the end of the season he was released and joined Tamworth in the summer. He has only just come back from a pre-season thigh injury. Taylor's career has taken in Leeds United, Bristol City, Bolton and West Brom before he signed for the Robins at the start of last season. He was playing in the Premiership as recently as May 2003. Now he is playing without a contract as he tries to prove his worth to the Lambs. For his part Cooper was furious with a poor first half display against the Bees that saw his side virtually out of the game by the interval. "There was no desire or will to win and that's not good enough," he fumed. "I feel I have been too lenient with the players and they have taken advantage." Simpson will feel he has been here before - two weeks ago to be precise. Then it was Tamworth's near-neighbours Burton Albion who turned up with a host of injuries and also struggling for form. Cooper like Albion's Nigel Clough is the son of a famous father. Simmo will be hoping that the similarity ends there. He needs a much better performance out of his players than he got a fortnight ago. Efforts to sign midfielder Ernie Cooksey and striker Alun Armstrong have come to nought so the same side that played at Woking may take the field again. Striker Andy Preece and winger Carlos Roca are likely to miss out again. Preece has had scans on his knee but nothing serious was found. However he is unlikely to be risked on Saturday while Roca is recovering from an injury he sustained against Manchester United's reserve side last week. With Simpson himself still easing his way back into training after his July knee operation, the squad will be stretched to its limits with Karl Hawley and Magno Vieira likely to continue as the front pair. Peter Murphy has a back problem but is expected to play as is skipper Kevin Gray, who has a long-standing ankle problem which needs careful attention. Prediction: UNITED 2-1 Tamworth |