Cod Almighty | Diary

It's progress, but not as we know it

21 April 2015

The Cod Almighty team did consider making some changes to its line-up for this series of meaningless end-of-season diaries, but frankly, our subs bench makes Southport's look like... I don't know, something very overcrowded and populous. If Paul Hurst can't be bothered at the moment, why should Middle-Aged Diary be forced to think up colourful analogies?

That exciting adolescent love affair of a few weeks ago has cooled, and we are back in the familiar routine of a lifelong relationship. It's love, but you have to remind yourself to say so now and again.

With a match to play, our points haul of 83 is already the highest we have managed in the Conference. That sounds good, except it doesn't feel like the Mariners are getting better so much as that the league 'got small'. Bristol Rovers, favourites one way or another for an immediate return to the Football League, have kicked away the crutch of our excuses.

Gone, also, are the days we can look at Crawley or Fleetwood and imagine that a return to the Football League will easily bring further progress. Luton and Newport look likely to still be in the fourth flight next season, and Mansfield and Cambridge are probably a bit relieved they can say the same.

We are progressing as a club but we still need to improve. And in our negotiations with prospective new players in the close season, I hope that one question in particular will help determine who comes: "Every other week, you will be playing in front of a 3,000+ crowd who will expect you to work hard. Anything less and they will let you know what they think. How do you feel about that?" Any blather in response and they will not be the people to get us into, or keep us in, the Football League.