Walker seeks home comfort at last

Having halted their recent mini-slump with Saturday's 3-2 victory at Donegal Celtic – when United recorded their first come-from-behind win for almost two years - the Sky Blues will now turn their attention towards improving their stuttering home form when they entertain Portadown on Saturday (3pm).

United have scored just three times in five Carling Premiership matches in front of their own fans this term.

In contrast, Ballymena have scored 11 times in seven away trips, racking up 13 of their 18 points to date 'on the road'.

United's inability to win more often at home has been a constant source of puzzlement for manager Roy Walker, who has watched his side win just 14 of a possible 43 home league games in his two-and-a-quarter years in charge.

There could scarcely be a better time to improve that remarkable statistic as United begin a run of four successive games at the Showgrounds, three Premiership fixtures with a Co-Operative Insurance Cup tie against Championship Ards sandwiched in between.

"I think the way we're fixed, the financiers of the club are glad of the four home games but the points tally is better away," smiled Walker.

"It's not that we counter-attack away from home or that we set up that way.

"I think the Showgrounds inspires visiting teams because of the dressing rooms and facilities – maybe we should take some of the temporary seating from Windsor Park and set it on the stock car track so our fans are right beside the pitch!

"Or stick a couple of cutouts of crowd behind the goals, the way Arsenal did when Highbury was being redeveloped!

"The Showgrounds is a big place and it can sometimes be a fairly echoey atmosphere. But maybe that's a mindset thing that we need to address."

The manager doesn't envisage too many changes for the visit of Portadown, in a match where the new Warden Street stand will be in use for visiting fans for the first time.

Midfielder Gavin Taggart will miss the game through suspension but it could be a blessing in disguise as he rests a calf injury, while Walker will also monitor the wellbeing of man-of-the-moment winger Eamonn Murray, who has been nursing a sore Achilles tendon.

Andy Smith goes today (Tuesday) for an injection of steroids which he hopes will cure his long-standing groin problem, but Ryan Berry remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. On a brighter note, goalkeeper Ryan Brown is back in training after his hand fracture.

Walker will have to content himself with a seat in the stand as he begins a three-match touchline ban following his recent dismissal at Glentoran.

"I have been watching games from up there this season – that wasn't a prelude to this ban, I find it a better overall view from up in the stand," added Roy.