Cod Almighty | Diary
Diary - Thursday 20 September 2007
20 September 2007
With all the talk on the terraces being of 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 (yes, I know we don't have terraces, but I liked the alliteration) the possibility that the Mariners might switch to a new formation altogether seems to have eluded us somewhat. It may be a precursor of serious change in the first team, then, that Town's reserves adopted a 4-2-1-3 system in their 2-1 win over Lincoln yesterday, with striking trio Jones the Lump, Danny North and trialist Nathan Jarman all taking the field (along with Luke Foulkes at right-back, it would appear, despite his having been released by the club a week ago). OK, that's too much red. Jarman equalised an early strike for the Imps with a somewhat spawny long-range goal which Lincoln keeper Ayden Duffy ought to have kept out, and - just one more link, I promise - Jamie Clarke wrapped up the scoring before half time with a very good 20-yard free kick. On the other hand, of course, there may be no intention at all to use 4-2-1-3 with the first XI and they just wanted all the misfiring strikers to get a proper run-out. As you were, then.
The Grimsby Telegraph proved again yesterday that it is a dab hand at crafting a news story about nothing happening, and today Grimsby Town Football Club have done likewise. The only material difference is that the Telegraph's anti-story concerned the price of a loaf of bread and the Mariners' concerns the price of a second division centre-forward, but Town's media department is to be applauded in having spotted in yesterday's sulky statement from the chairman the news that the club had just failed in two bids to sign 'Championship' strikers, because the players in question "simply did not fancy a move to Town" - for which, read: "were weak-minded enough to have placed football lower in their consideration than decades of stereotyping and crap fish jokes". It's their loss!
Since yesterday's Fentystrop, though, Lord Alan Buckley's future transfer targets may have another reason to reject a switch to Blundell Park. The details revealed by the chairman about Town's precarious finances have become news in their own right, and shortly after the statement was published the BBC ran a story headlined Grimsby chief reveals cash crisis. A few hours later the Mariners' inability to make ends meet was splashed all over Sporting Life, and since then several other football websites have taken up the story. The unpleasant irony, of course, is that even as he was demonstrating the club's difficulties in signing players, Mr Fenty was publicising other information that might discourage the next Martin Paterson from signing; after recent events at Boston, Leeds and elsewhere, one assumes that footballers will be increasingly wary of joining a club that may later struggle to pay their wages.
Thursday's Club Statement is also the subject of an email from Ben Gresswell. "Although I agree with many of Positive John's sentiments in his recent statement of poverty," he writes, "I also agree with the Diary that he should stop reading the messageboards. Whenever I have taken a look at the messageboard on the SNOS, it appears to be populated by pre-pubescent nerds who spend most of the time moaning that somebody has posted using their name or arguing that despite our inferior Football League position, we would batter Scunny any day. John, do yourself a favour and concentrate on the task at hand - and if you must gauge the opinions of supporters, look no further than codalmighty.com. At least here you will get a level-headed and informed opinion (not to mention match reports and articles that will sometimes take you on a journey better than any hallucinogen you will ever find). Being the manager or chairman of Grimsby Town Football Club is a thankless task but don't let the opinions of the few get you down. Up the Mariners!"
On that positive, and indeed Positive, note the Diary bids you farewell, and not just for the weekend but for the week ahead, cos I've got loads of stuff to do. Fear not though, readers, as a strong bench of substitute diarists will be on hand to guide you through the turbulent days ahead. Keep the faith and I'll see you a week on Monday. T'ra.