Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 30 March 2007

30 March 2007

Deviant Diary was right yesterday lunch time when he said that the Town camp was quiet. He was right - it was quiet. Too quiet.

By tea time the redoubtable Lord Buckley had got one of his Myspace gang to write an explosive text message to the Town hordes, hinting that certain players had the temerity to seemingly ignore his contract renewal overtures. And that means if they don't want to be in his plans for next season they might as well not bother turning out for at least some of the remaining games, which will determine whether Town finish tenth, eighteenth or somewhere in-between. Asked about it on Mariners World Lord Buckley looked quizzical. His eyes were raised, his neck craned and then he eventually caught sight of his youthful interviewer who had apparently chosen this week to stand on the top rung of the club step ladder - one hopes in a coquettish posture. Having got over the momentary shock his reply was as forthright as you would expect, but your Guest Diarist detected that he will only play the Town youngsters in some of the games. And almost certainly not on Saturday against a direct and physical side like the Magpies. Perhaps young Master Bennett is not quite ready to be introduced to Mr Lee just yet? We shall see.

Town have about eleven players out of contract at the end of the season, reports the official site, although they retain a one year option on Jones the Lump. But wait that figure has already decreased by one with the welcome news that Danny 'Bosh' Boshell has almost signed a new two year deal. Lord Buckley was kind enough to explain why this contract renewal stuff takes so long in his Mariners Word interview: "Talking to that lot about this stuff just does yer head in". So he will pick and choose his times to speak with his squad - probably starting with Macca of whom he explains that "this will be just a general conversation because he's retiring". Possibly along the lines of "thanks for all you've done, mate and, by the way, do you reckon it's time to feed and weed the lawn yet?" So fans will be anxiously scanning the team sheet for absences that can be put down to contract renewal syndrome.

Meanwhile there is glad tidings to do with all things Croftian. Not only has Mr Croft trained all week and put himself in to contention for a place tomorrow, his missus has had a baby girl. Which I hope is not a cue for daft Premiership-style baby rocking dances if Town are good enough to score tomorrow. Stick with the cigars, Gary.

Sadly the saga of Fenton's knee continues with a precautionary and totally non-illuminating midweek scan followed by Lord Buckley's personal assessment - it's a bit swollen and I think there is still bruising in the joint. At which point I rather hoped that he would break in to that old Alex Harvey classic ("The Faith healer: let me put my hands on you"). It's 50-50 whether he plays, and Sergeant Whittle has been paired with both Grand and Bennett in training. Buckley remains pointed in his comments regarding Peter Bore's sore back. It is sore, "so he says", and apparently he is 'incapable of playing through as little bit of pain". There is a chance that Danny North may be granted a bit of a rest after his hard-working performances of late. Or at least a bit of company up front from Jones. But as ever with AB the job of picking the team does not have a deadline until Saturday dinner so we'll have to wait and see.

Picture the scene. Blundell Park, Saturday, five to three.

"Hey up mate, are you alright? Is Boshell playing? Oh, I see Mighty's had one too many shandies again..."
[long pause]
"...Pitch looks well, doesn't it?"

All over the ground conversations like this happen every home game, and it is great news to read on the official site that the ground staff headed by Mike Phillips have made the final three for best pitch in our division. Alan Buckley made mention in despatches, fondly recalling writing a letter to Mike from his exile in West Bromwich the last time he won it. And acidly pointing out that the judges should take due account of 'what the grounds man has to work with which in Town's case is apparently an old hosepipe like the one AB uses in his garden. Good point, and maybe Mr Phillips is a better bet for advice than Macca, Alan.

Before I go I should mention how pleased I am that the Winter Gardens is hanging on in there after the developers got as far as gutting the inside before deciding it was too much like hard work to actually knock the place down. This place should have listed building status. And while we're at it, so should Blundell Park. Luckily, I don't see either property being demolished any time soon, do you? See yer.