United's squad will be back at Bideford tomorrow night for their second match in the Errea Tournament when they take on Blue Square South side Eastleigh. The Spitfires, as they are known, were unlucky not to be involved in the play-offs last season for a place in the BSP which was eventually clinched by Eastbourne Borough. They have had a decent pre-season so far with good results against Grays, Andover and a young Southampton team and will come into Thursday nights match after taking on Crystal Palace tonight (Wednesday). Ex-Gull Gareth Howells is on the coaching staff at Eastleigh and they are managed by the well travelled former striker Ian Baird.

Paul Buckle may well make wholesale changes to the starting XI for the match with Chris Hargreaves, Nicky Wroe, Tim Sills, Martin Rice, Chris Todd, Steve Adams and Lee Hodges all rested against Bideford. Chris Robertson has a minor hip injury and may not be risked and Bucks is hopeful that Roscoe Dsane should be fit for selection at the weekend. If United progress to the semi-final stage of the competition he will sit down with his coaching staff and decide how or if the squad will be split to cover both matches that would be played on Saturday (semi-final and Chelsea).

Action from Bideford match

A point to ponder on may be the strength of United's squad this season allowing Paul to possibly play a 'cup' side and if needed rest players for BSP fixtures. With the Setanta Shield rearing its head again this season and hopefully a good F.A. Cup run along with the Trophy campaign the matches may well come thick and fast. It's a whole other debate on whether some players need a rest or not during a successful season but if suspensions and injuries allow it may be something to consider?

We may be on a different planet from the Manchester United's and Arsenals of this football universe but if good form from a colleague is keeping a worthy member of the squad unused for a period of time then why not do what the heavyweight sides do and change things around for a cup game? Unlike some teams we wouldn't be belittling the competition we are in but actually trying to field the strongest side available to win the match and lets face it we won't be pulling out of the F.A. Cup because we have been invited to play in a inter-continental tournament halfway around the world (well, not yet at least).

But, maybe the earlier point is the most important one, if the starting XI is playing well, in good form and getting results then shouldn't they keep playing until something causes things to change. Thankfully the different sides we all pick never lose so we will wait and see what circumstance throws at Bucks and his players and let them get us back in the Football League and if we pick up some silverware along the way then fine!