Cod Almighty | Match Stats

Wednesday 1 January 2020

Division 4

Grimsby Town 1 Rose (84)

Salford City 0

Attendance: 4,555 (138 away fans)

Ah yes, the new Pouton. If in doubt, choose The Hess; he's probably got the nicest smile.

No-one did anything excellent, the best were simply performing the job consistently. McKeown made the save he had to, and Hendrie was quietly efficient, so that'll do.

And as we leave Limboland one flash of light, no smoking pistol, as the one true path was revealed to him:

"We've changed to 4-4-2 a couple of weeks in a row, but it didn't previously work as well as it did today."

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The old ironist is on a journey of self-discovery, seeking truth where there was formerly post-match press conference self-deception, as he hinted at a realisation they aren't too sexy for their shirts just yet. No way is he disco dancing tonight:

"The goal they scored was scruffy and untidy from our perspective, but it was a scruffy game and it was going to be an ugly win, and I just don't think we did the ugly things well enough today and for our quality to count, you can't just rely on that."

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The perfect start to the New World Order, for Holloway saw and heard the collective and individual inadequacies and Town won. What a perfect day.

Town's left was ruthlessly targeted and only held together by sticky-backed tape and Salfordian missing. The lack of pace and power was evident, the absence of Townites from the opposition penalty area was staring him in the face. Yes, everything that's wrong was on show but the players tried hard and kept on keeping on.

It wasn't until Town had two central strikers that any problems were caused in open play. You reap just what you sow.

Not quite as good as they should have been because they believed they were better than they are.

Impressive, but not too impressive as their veneer of excellence was eroded by a quick blast of cold air. They've overdosed on Man City DVDs, especially with their goal kick possession football inside their six-yard box.

Asante was an immense problem, with Rooney a clever foil, and as a whole they moved forward fluently and fluidly with fast feet and nimble nippings. But they relied upon Townites standing back and admiring their backstory. Like half the division, they look good if you let 'em, but when you stand nearby they kick the ball straight out of play like any old Sunday leaguer.

Organised, with pace and height, a clear strategy and belief in themselves: play-off flirters.

Holding back the cheers, thinking of the fear we've had so long.

Mr M Coy

We hail the raspberrian for his sense and sensibility. He applied the advantage rule perfectly, was never fooled by falls and refused to rule through flag waving.

Faultless, fantastic and fabulously competent: 9.48888882.

It's drier, it's dire, Town off to a fortunate flyer.

In a word: positivity