Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 11 April 2012

11 April 2012

If someone of senior authority asked me about my day job and I didn't like what they were implying, I would at least think I have the calmness, diligence and professionalism to deal with the situation appropriately - and not have a childish hissy fit and instruct those who make daily assessments of my ability to ask only nice questions from the back of a room.

You see, to your West Yorkshire Diary, Shouty's inability to deal with a straightforward question asked by an experienced and highly respected local football reporter not only demonstrated his immaturity but also his complete lack of understanding when it comes to media relations. I'm sure he would be delighted if he never had to give interviews to John Tondeur or the embarrassingly pally Telewag again, but a club that doesn't speak to the media is a club that regresses and alienates itself from the very people that pay their wages.

Just when someone from the club needed to grow a pair of balls and put Shouty in his place (reminding him that giving interviews to the media is part of his job in order to keep fans informed), they decided, in a rather cowardly way instead, to shove three people to the back of a room and explain it as a 'change in press conference arrangements'. No details have yet been revealed as to how this new arrangement will improve communication channels, surprisingly.

Perhaps BBC Radio Humberside could inform Rob 'don't ask me then' Scott that if he doesn't fackin' like it then don't fackin' come. Send Shorty instead. If the club aren't going to give sensible post-match interviews then the station can devote more of their time to Scunny and Hull. I wouldn't blame them, because, right now, Scunny and Hull are more successful clubs than Grimsby Town on every single level. Let's not pretend we're big time. We're a Conference club run by dummy spitters holding shotguns aimed at our feet.

It's interesting to note however, that following the comprehensive victory over Gateshead on Easter Monday, Shouty was more than happy to speak to the Grimmo Telegraph, declaring himself "delighted" with the performance. If the newspaper's opening question was anything other than: 'So then Rob, mate, good victory today - you must be pleased?' then I'd be amazed.

Rather than ask Shaun Pearson why the players' form dipped at just the wrong time, the Telegraph chose instead to focus on his "set piece satisfaction" from the weekend and insist that The Great Play-Off Quest of 2012 is still on. To be fair to Riby Square's crack team of investigative journalists, Pearson's recent form is worth talking about. He had a slow start to his Mariners career but he's grown steadily and looks to have secured his place in the back four alongside Ian Miller. It's tough on Scott Garner and Charlie I'Anson, who haven't done a whole lot wrong this season.

Time to consider centre midfield - has anyone else noticed how few goals we score from this position? Don't get me wrong, this area of the team has improved vastly from last season, but between Disley, Church, Thanoj, Artus, Panther and Wood, the return of goals has been curiously low. Perhaps it's down to the way we play? I don't have the answer, but I know a man who does. It's just that he won't like being asked and he'd probably swear at me and instruct the club to put me in the naughty corner.