Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Thursday 26 June 2008

26 June 2008

Apologies for the late arrival of this Idle Diary. Seems the thunderstorms in Vienna last night took out my work internet connection when they were saving the British viewing public from the shrill whine of Mark Lawrenson. Yin and yang and all that cosmic stuff, hey dude?

Two new centre-backs arrive in one day and Sir Alan is already looking at a return to his tried-and-tested back four next season. And the new boys themselves are talking a good game. Matt Heywood has set his stall out: "I like to think I am a big strong centre half, strong in the air. I am a good talker and organiser and that is basically what you need to do in this league." Which vaguely sounds like, if he's appraised himself right, he's a better version of the Sarge. Fellow centre-back and arrival Richard Hope was totally sold by a chat with the Town manager about his plans: "He spoke to me about what training is about, his philosophy on football and how he likes his teams to play, and also what he expects from myself. Everything he said added up in my head to make me want to sign." And whereas Heywood arrives promisingly as Brentford's reigning player of the year, the initial reflection of Hope joining from a club relegated from the Football League is allayed when you learn Hope captained Shrewsbury during their play-off final defeat 12 months previously.

Buckley also suggests there may be some interest in Ciaran Toner leaving. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, eh.