Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 12 August 2005

12 August 2005

My ears might have been deceiving me, and it may have been out of context, but I'm certain Pauline Fowler was lamenting the price of progress on Eastenders last night. Sure this fast, modern way of living is great, Poline's new sociological insight revealed, but "us women" need to get back to basics. The passionate war cry rose up to appeal to those listening, probably blissfully unaware (or ignorant) that she'd be reversing decades of efforts to banish sexual discrimination: "We need to bake more cakes."

It's a scene that couldn't have been aired at a better time. With Town playing very much like a modern-day team in their impressive 2-1 annihilation of Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night (fast, organised, direct), the only additional need is for Michael Reddy to "get back to the basics". Not those of a woman reacquainting herself with her scales and oven, but those of a forward - like a goal or two. Whether 'Redds' will grab that goal in tomorrow's game at Chester seems to be touch and go as he's nursing a groin strain, but Russ is saying he's gonna stick with the same side that has started both games this season. Squad depth plays that hand as well as form: JPK and Ciaran Toner aren't returning to training until Monday, while Justin Whittle is still nursing an ankle injury. But if Mikey doesn't make it, remember Gary Cohen's invigorating replacement of the ineffectual Andy Parkinson on Tuesday night.

There's been a slack start to the season for our preview team, and apologies for that. But I've been told the fact files and previews will be back for next week's visit from Darlington. In the interim, a quick memo from that department of Cod Almighty notes "Chester are exactly one place above Town in the table - sixth - separated only by alphabetical order. And share the exact same league record as the Mariners: W1 D1 L0 F3 A2. Such early season excitement to stay in the play-offs, eh." In the absence of any CA-based insight, check out the pretty-decent look over the Chester side in the Grimmo Telegraph. Apparently Chester have replaced the bully boy tactics from last season with a more aethestically pleasing approach to the game since Keith Curle took over. Ironic given the allegations aimed at Curle when he was sacked by Mansfield? (irony a theme in this week's Pete Green's column by the way.)

All of which leaves us to head off to the preview department, watch the resumption of the cricket on their TV, and contemplate Reddy scoring in a Town win with a dazzling Gazza C masterclass. That'd be the icing on the cake. See yer.