Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 25 July 2006

25 July 2006

If you like hot weather and you tend not to ascribe any significance to the results of friendly games, then you're probably happier right now than a man from Hull in a field of goats. If, on the other hand, you've been taking the temperature from Town's pre-season games and casting a prognosis for the season ahead, then your mood will have grown stormier still as a result of last night's 2-0 home defeat by Rotherham. Cod Almighty's man on the spot Tony Butcher has reported to the Diary that Grahams Rodgerses's men retained the passing style the fans have been crying out for but looked painfully short of pace in the continued absence of Gary Cohen and Luton's Michael Reddy and barely had a chance of scoring all night save for a walloping 30-yard volley from, um, Justin Whittle, which hit the bar. This with almost a first-team line-up, save for the presence of Rob Murray and Danny North (neither of whom looked ready to make the step up). "We have the right method," concludes Tony, "but too many of the wrong players, and not enough either." Remember, though: Town had a fantastic pre-season in 2003.

The playing squad, of course, is not the only area at Blundell Park where there exist situations vacant, as Rodgerses is still to appoint an assistant manager. There may be progress on this front very soon though, according to the Mariners' official website, which reported at about quarter to 11 last night that Grezbo's number two "could be named within the next 24 hours". You never know; with a bit of luck Town might sign some players at some point as well.

If all this talk of number twos hasn't killed your appetite, read on. For the team's final two friendly games this summer - against Stoke this Friday night and Leeds the following Monday - GTFC's official club restaurant is "offering special meal deals", which sounds more McDonalds than McMenemy's, even if they weigh in at five quid a go. Using a frankly repulsive photograph of what is hopefully not any kind of food substance at all, the OS explains that fans at the Stoke match will be able to "enjoy our chef's special Curry [sic.] and chipped potatoes". Mmmm! The Diary is mighty tempted to sample these new and exciting-sounding "chipped potatoes", because I'm really fed up of chips. With any luck, the kiosks will also be doing away with boring old pies and stocking some innovative new stuffed and oven-baked savoury pastries instead.