Cod Almighty | Diary

Grimsby is for life with no remission

14 January 2019

Trentside Diary writes: They’re back. The moaning minnies – or is that moaning Mariners? No, forget that – minnies is more appropriate.

We weren’t sharp on Saturday but we’re a team in transition and we’re building. Some weeks it will come together, some weeks it won’t, but gradually we’re getting better and there’s something special happening.

It wasn’t surprising that Saturday wasn’t great. After a huge game there’s almost always a hangover. Remember Wembley in May 2016 with two games a week apart? The 15th was magical. A week later we should have just forfeited the FA Trophy and saved everyone a trek down to London.

We still have a makeshift backline and with one, then two new players on the pitch, there was going to be a degree of getting used to each other. We played the match with eight players under 25. I would rather see youngsters being developed than perpetuate the Sladeball model of bringing in out-of-contract journeymen who have no emotional investment in the club. I can see what Jolley is trying to do. Why don’t the minnies get it?

We’re missing some experience in the back line. When it’s back up to strength I’m sure they will settle down. Years ago under Slade, Justin Whittle was out injured for a few matches. I had no strong views of him when he arrived and was neither a big fan or otherwise – until he was injured for a few matches in the 2005-06 season. We really missed him. A solid defence was suddenly very wobbly. How glad we were to see him back. Most of us understand that it helps to have some maturity to calm nerves at the back. Why don’t the minnies get it?

Let’s also not forget we were missing Andrew Fox. As Jeff Stelling pointed out, he was suspended because he played in a match that happened to have VAR. How’s that fair? Nobody cares because we’re a fourth division club but we don’t have huge squads of players to backfill. Every injury or suspension hurts.

Mitch Rose cocked up! Get over it. Ultimately it didn’t decide the match and we all make mistakes. These are fourth division players and there will be errors on both sides. Suck it up and move on. When there’s a penalty, who do we want taking it? Mitch Rose.

I liked what I saw of our two new players. They were young and energetic and, given a chance to settle in, will be great additions. They were probably a bit rusty as their season ended a couple of months ago, but as the match went on Ring seemed to settle and his passing was sharp. Ludwig looked strong and capable for the 20 minutes he had. Even from that one match you can see why Jolley has brought them in.

I hate to see the Mariners lose as much as the next fan. We play to win and I want to see players who are committed to achieving their absolute best for the team. If you really think it’s OK to boo at the end of any match, let alone after the spell these players have had recently, then maybe you should keep your backside on your sofa, pay your ransom to Murdoch, and be a plastic Super Sunday moaning minnie. I’d rather you didn’t overexert yourself coming to Blundell Park. UTM!