Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 27 October 2006

27 October 2006

Half Term Holiday Diary here. And in an effort to keep children amused in the guest Diary house this week, when the rain has been lashing down, we have, among other things, been playing some computer football games. Already, you will be pleased to hear, Luton's Michael Reddy has scored over 20 goals, Phil Barnes has been selected for the division's team of the week three times and Gary Harkins has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury. If only reality were this good.

And so to reality. Town head off south to Peterborough tomorrow and things are looking a little better on the injury front than they were earlier in the week. The injury scare seems a little less scary. The Telegraph reports that Phil Barnes should be fit enough to play after a groin injury forced him to sit out Town's training sessions this week. Tom Newey has also recovered from his knee injury, sustained when falling over after hearing reports linking him with a move to Crewe earlier in the week. Bad news, however, is that Paul Bolland is out with an ankle injury. As one door closes, however, another one opens, and in walks Ricky Ravenhill, back from, wait for it, suspension.

The big news story of the day, though, is reported by the Mariners' official site. Peter Beagrie and Town have parted company so that the ex-Ironman can concentrate on his media work. So no more difficult choices between having to go and watch Town take part in a Pot of Paint game on a wet and cold night or sit in a nice warm studio getting paid to comment on a higher-division game. The Beagrie signing and its conditions always seemed a peculiar decision which would end unsatisfactorily - and so it has proven.

Peterborough, meanwhile, have failed to sign any of the strikers that they had been linked with recently. After being rebuffed by MK Dons for Izale McLeod, who did everything but hit the space between the two posts against Spurs in midweek, the Posh have been rejected by Swansea's Leon Knight, according to the BBC. "No disrespect to League Two but I feel that I'm better than that and I'm going to leave that alone - why should I go a division lower?" Knight says. Keith Alexander could though always turn to the fit-again Fen Butcher, to help with his striking options, given his star performances for the Mariners up front.

As reported in the Diary earlier this week, conflicting reports still circulate around Cleethorpes about whether Tony Thorpe has signed up for an extension to his loan period. There is perhaps a clue in the Telegraph, which quotes Graham Rodger as saying that the Stevenage striker has had "a bit of flu this week", so presumably the only thing he has been well enough to sign is his sick note. The same paper, though, reports that the Town boss refused to be drawn on whether Thorpe would stay.

Yesterday's Diary made reference to the list of keepers who have given sterling service to Town in recent seasons. Earlier this week Half Term Holiday Diary called into see one of them, Steve Croudson, who is now running a pub. Steve is an amiable host and is doing well in his new venture. Steve's face lights up when he talks about his debut against Wolves, which he describes as the best day of his life. Pulling pints is a bit easier on Steve's dodgy shoulder than stopping shots.

And so that's it. If you are going to London Road tomorrow, have a safe journey. You might like to read David Conn's article from the Guardian this week which highlights the shenanigans going on behind the scenes at Peterborough. Finally, don't forget to put your clocks back tomorrow night and be sure to make the most of that extra hour in bed.