Cod Almighty | Article

by Mike Worden

26 July 2010

When Michael Coulson committed his immediate future to the club it was a small reason to raise half a smile in the post-Burton gloom. Coulson had impressed since joining midway through last season and fans saw his penning of a two -year deal as an indication that we could build a team capable of getting back into the Football League. The tricky winger was interesting some Football League clubs – something confirmed by the player himself – although a move to join up with his former boss Simon Davey at Darlington looked a distinct possibility before Fenty's ballpoint was thrust into his hand.

Coulson arrived at Blundell Park in November 2009 following the meltdown at Chester City, where he had been on loan from Barnsley. The Scarborough lad had impressed at the Deva in his five games and had gained confidence in returning to competitive football following a serious cruciate ligament knee injury suffered in training at Oakwell the previous season. Neil Woods was looking to find some better loan players following Newell's exit and Coulson was part of the intake that included Nicky Featherstone and Mark Hudson. The former wouldn't shine, the latter didn't appear for months, but Coulson made a big impact on the team and his loan period was extended to the end of the season.

Michael made his debut for the Mariners against Lincoln in November, scoring his first goal at the beginning of December against Dagenham & Redbridge. Although impressing straight away, he became much more influential when Jamie Devitt joined on loan from Hull after Christmas and the two wide men formed a good partnership, providing attacking options that had been unavailable to Newell. If the central strikers had been anything like half decent, Town would have taken much more advantage of the balls played into the box from the Yorkshire duo.

Michael scored five goals in 28 appearances, with four of them coming in a five game spell in late March/early April. Even accounting for the 'Hand of Cod' against Bournemouth, it was still an impressive period in a dire season. His workrate was first-class and showed up some of the more sloth-like characters around him. Devitt and Coulson were awesome in thehome game with Lincoln in February.

Michael was released by Barnsley at the end of the season, paving the way for a return to Blundell Park. A smart turn and volley provided the winner in the pre-season opener against Brigg Town, supporting the view that capturing Coulson on a two-year deal was a good piece of business by Woods.