Cambridge United travel to the potential banana skin that is Altrincham FC this evening, the Robins reeling after a 2-0 loss at Woking last weekend.

With United unbeaten and Altrincham winless, the funny old game that is football has this game as the hallmarks of a possible shock result. The U's side would be best reminded of last season - Cambridge unbeaten in seven, Altrincham winless in seven before the result ended in a resounding 5-0 victory for the hosts.

The start of this campaign has been thoroughly miserable for the Cheshire outfit, the 4-1 hammering by Exeter on the opening day setting the tone up to now. A creditable 2-2 draw at Halifax, with Alty coming from two behind, was the only chink of success during August, with frustrating defeats to Forest Green and Grays following. Only two more points have been forthcoming, 1-1 at Stafford and 2-2 at fellow strugglers York, with the limp 2-0 defeat at Kingfield their latest result.

The Manager - Graham Heathcote is a manager under severe pressure. Alty's poor start to the season has led the Robins legend to become embroiled in arguments with supporters, blaming them for 'high expectations' amongst other things. This has led to dissension with the fans, more and more questioning his management with every loss. It's the first time in his 36-year association with the Robins that he must be fearing for his future.

His love affair with Alty started as a 16-year-old apprentice, going on to make a staggering 500 appearances, scoring 147 goals, mostly from midfield. After quitting playing at 31, he assumed the role of assistant manager before taking up the hotseat himself in 2002, and within three years had earned an unlikely promotion to the Blue Square Premier. Such is his loyalty to Altrincham, he was made a 'Freeman of the Borough of Altrincham' for his sterling efforts.

In recent years though, his management of the club has been filled with controversy. Heathcote is also the Club Secretary and was responsible for the administration error in signing James Robinson without international clearance - a costly move which left the club with an 18 point deduction and subsequent relegation. Only Scarborough's demise led to them being reprieved, and Heathcote failed to keep the side up again the following season, finishing in 21st, this time benefiting from Boston's demise leading to another reprieve! The 'Cote' has another tough job on his hands to keep the part-timers in the top division of non-league and will need to start picking up wins sooner rather than later.

The last 12 months - As touched on just above, Altrincham didn't have the best of seasons last time out, finishing fourth from bottom and therefore relegated. But just as Heathcote was preparing for life in the Blue Square North, the Conference AGM ruled Boston would be demoted straight through the league, reprieving a relieved Altrincham for the second successive season. Their season started in a relatively steady fashion, claiming the scalps of Stevenage, Halifax and Tamworth, finding themselves in a comfortable 13th position come mid-September. Despite failing to gain an away win until March, their ability to beat fellow strugglers such as Southport and Northwich managed to keep them clear of relegation.

After beating Rushden 2-1 on the 6th January, Alty let slip by failing to win any of their next seven outings, including a crushing 4-0 home defeat to York. They rectified this with the 5-0 drubbing of Cambridge, and this seemed to revitalise the whole club.

They won five in six, including three in a row (Cambridge, Weymouth and Morecambe) for the first time since promotion, and it seemed like the Robins were safe and sound, ready for another season at the top. Whether they become complacent is anyone's guess, but four defeats sandwiching a 5-1 hammering of already relegated St. Albans meant only victory against Aldershot on the last day would save the Robins' bacon. A Nikki Bull inspired performance saw the game end goalless and Altrincham were relegated - or so they thought.

Ins and Outs - The biggest blow for Altrincham was the loss of young starlet Lewis Chalmers. It's hard enough for most lower league sides to keep hold of their gems, and Altrincham, part-time with the lowest budget in the league, had no chance. He was courted for a while by Stockport County but surprisingly chose Aldershot as his next destination. His loss has left a massive gap in midfield, and Chalmers' super start at the Shots is testament to that already. Another midfielder, Steve Bushell, had an injury prone time at Moss Lane so it was no surprise to see him join former employers Halifax Town. Andy Scott, Gary Talbot and Justin Bowler were deemed not good enough for the red and white of Alty and left for pastures new. Peter Band turned down the offer of a new contract to join Hyde, just before the club were reprieved!

Pre-season signings were viewed with much interest from the Alty faithful, many wanting bigger and better replacements for the players who got the team relegated. Chris Senior signed from Halifax following a successful loan spell last season, Matty Berkeley joined from SPL bound Gretna and tricky winger Carlos Logan arrived from Darlington. Former Southport defender Chris Lane, who was sent off at the Abbey last season, signed to shore up the defence with ex-Burton Darren Tinson, who played under Jimmy Quinn at Shrewsbury. Jake Sedgemore (brother of former U Ben), penned a yearly deal before Altrincham signed the former Premiership star Gareth Whalley. The former Wigan and Bradford player, who once commanded a £600,000 transfer fee, came to Cheshire after his release by Swindon Town.

The Squad - Every player in the Alty squad is part-time, and although many could easily make their way in the full-time world of professional football, it's often financially better to work and play part-time. One of these players is Stuart Coburn, who has saved Alty many a time with some sterling performances between the sticks. Covering for Stuart is Richard Acton, who runs his own carpet business when not saving goalbound shots. The backline is awash with Football League experience, central defenders Karl Munroe, Warren Peyton and Stephen Rose all having spells with League 2 clubs. Munroe doesn't particularly like playing Cambridge, he has been shown two red cards against us in just five appearances!

Robbie Lawton is probably the best footballing midfielder, always impressing since his move from Wirral side Vauxhall Motors. The right flank is patrolled by cult hero Colin Potts, who returns for another season after last year's sabbatical at scenic Barrow. New signing Carlos Logan will be working his magic on the other wing, his two solitary appearances earning rave reviews in an otherwise damp squib of a season. Up front Heathcote has options aplenty, but seldom knows which is his best two to play. Colin Little, Pat McFadden, Joe O'Neill and Chris Senior all vie for the striker's role, with O'Neill and Little this season's preferred partnership.

One to Watch - Colin Little - The scourge of Cambridge during last season's thrashing, this well-travelled striker has played as high as the Championship for Crewe and scored goals wherever he's played. In his first full season, the promotion year of 2004/05, he netted 38 goals winning the Conference North Golden Boot. The last two seasons he has also finished the club's highest goalscorer, with 17 and 12 goals respectively, taking his Alty career total to over 70 goals. His wealth of experience will be vital for Altrincham tonight and the Cambridge back three will not be able to rest on their laurels for too long with Little about.

Facts, stats and connections - Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin supplied and drove the coach the Australia cricket team travelled in during their ill-fated Ashes tour of 2005, and cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie were so impressed with the set up at Moss Lane they purchased a number of shares.

Cambridge played Altrincham in a friendly in 1967 - Altrincham running out 7-1 winners. After becoming founder members of the Alliance Premier League (now the Blue Square Premier) they won the league twice in a row but were not voted into the Football League via elections.

In the current Conference/Blue Square Premier we have met four times, Alty winning twice, Cambridge once. Our sole victory was in September 2005, when a Fola Onibuje brace along with goals from Courtney Pitt and Paul Atkins won the game 4-0 for Cambridge [report].

Last season was horrific for the U's, losing 5-0 after coming into the game on the back of seven games unbeaten. Peyton, Chalmers, Little, O'Neill and Senior sending the majority of the 891 crowd home as happy as Larry.

Current Form -

Altrincham - LDLDLL (21st)
Cambridge United - DDDWDW (4th)

Chris Vessey

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