Cod Almighty | Diary

Another night in Barnet? Hair we go again

19 February 2014

Well, last night was a mixed bag of emotions, wasn't it? Your London Diary took full advantage of his zones 1-6 weekly Oyster card by travelling to zone 5 to the illustrious Canons Park in Edgware. Edge of nowhere, more like. Amiright?!

Barnet's new ground looks all nice and shiny with its brand new seats and its lustrous grass but, by 'eck, it ain't half bloody soulless. The Hive is set on a large recreation ground, miles from any real civilisation, no shops, no bars, no atmosphere. While looking at this new ground, desolate, the realisation hit home that this is the London equivalent of Great Coates. A ground in the middle of fields with nothing but the gentle hum of nothingness. Bah, modern bloody football.

Thankfully, the Town fans were in fine fettle last night, singing for the majority of the game, all 370 or so of them, which comprised of just over a quarter of last night's gate, so well done to all. Best supporters in the country on our day.

I'm putting off talking about the game as, well, it was pretty doggers in parts. You can read the match report later to get a full breakdown of the game, but what really worries me is the lack of urgency from the Town players from the off. Barnet started excellently, by putting the ball on the floor, passing it to each other and making chances; you might know this as 'playing football'. Grimsby Town Football Club, on the other hand, didn't really get involved until after the 33rd minute.

Some of the Town lads were playing as though they'd thought they'd left the iron on at home and couldn't fully concentrate on the game, racking their brains to remember if they switched it off at the wall or not. Slow to the ball, slow off the ball, the Jubilee line trains whizzing up and down in the background made them look like a team of Barry Conlons (slow, fyi).

Second half, however, was a different kettle of fish and we looked like a football team who could score. And we did score. Whatever happened at half time should really happen just before the game, especially when you're going to let in a goal in 2 minutes 31 seconds. Also, the less said about that Jamal Fyfield free kick, the better. Bloody nora, love.

We've got loads of games in hand, we've got a full squad, we've got each other. I still trust Hurst, he's the manager and I like him. He makes decisions that go unnoticed when we win, yet are scrutinised to high heaven if we lose. People lose games, people always lose games. There always has to be a winner and a loser, unless there is a draw, in which case, there are no winners or losers, just two people drawing. I guess what I'm trying to say is always get one of those irons that switches itself off after 10 minutes if it stays upright. You're welcome.