Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 31 October 2003

31 October 2003

Having read all the set texts, the Diary is now in a position to inform you that Paul Groves will probably return to the turf tomorrow for a first appearance since a certain result in the north-east of which you will most likely not wish to be reminded. Darren Barnard's poorly foot has failed to return to a healthy size, meaning the services of Jason Crowe will be required in the left-back position. This in turn opens up a vacancy in the centre of defence, with Tony Crane suspended and Simon Ford still hamstrung, and so it comes down to a celebrity deathmatch between Groves and Young Greg, who I'm not convinced that the boss entirely trusts since a 'mixed' debut performance against Reading late last season. The question on every Grimbarian's lips is bound to be whether Paul will still do the old geeing up the crowd thing if he's actually playing. And isn't it funny how this seems to have made him a good manager all of a sudden.

Great big scary striker Onandi Lowe is to return to Diamonds' line-up after sitting out eight games with a mercantile groin implication. Before that he'd scored eight in the first nine matches, it says here, so, er, yikes. Mark Stilton has only just got back from Rome and is reeling off distressed text messages from St Pancras, so not only will he be absent from the Rushden side; it also means there's no Refwatch today. The Diary, meanwhile, will be appearing in an Irthlingborough bookshop before the game, or if there isn't one then a pub, to sign the chests of any readers in the vicinity.

Full-time contrarian Mat Winn has reacted adversely to yesterday's Diary. "I'm yet to read a message on any GTFC messageboards stating that Boulding should be dropped for Jevons!" he thunders, daring to call into question the Diary's journalistic integrity. "However," he continues, " - I have seen messages stating that Iffy should be dropped for Jevons or at least make way during the 2nd half for Jevons to come on!" For me, though, you see, Boulding and Jevons are too similar. Except Boulding has always been a decent finisher. And doesn't give up easily. And has never slagged off the club in public. But anyway... "Nobody in their right mind would want Boulding dropped!" Well, absolutely - but like I said, this was on a messageboard.