Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 12 December 2008

12 December 2008

So, thank god it's Friday. Your Guest Diarist has just been listening to the weekly chat between manager Newell and Mariners World. Don't bother, gentle reader; it's billed as feature length but comes in at under nine minutes and is the same old recycled stuff that we've heard too many times before.

The only fact that came out of it is that Trotter's last game at the club will be the away game at Aldershot on the 20th. The rest was a ponderous mix of "well you've been here a few weeks now Mike, what's your impression of...." And also Newell now trying to make out he wouldn't miss Liam Trotter because he's got the likes of Boshell and Clarke. He also told us that the youth team are a very well mannered set of lads and he hopes a couple of them make it as professionals. Oh, Mr Newell also said that second placed Shrewsbury have several players too good for this division but he fears no team this season.

More insight comes from the Telewag interview Newell has given where he explains that hamstring problems will keep both Newey and Till out of the team tomorrow. Additionally Boshell has had a dose of man-flu this week so Newell is reserving judgement on him until the last minute. So, the Telegraph claims, home fans will get the chance to see the frankly bizarre sight of Hope playing at left back again.

Shrewsbury striker Walker is still suspended but division four player of the month Holt (who may well get 20 goals by Christmas) seems destined to play. And Davies is back from that horrible injury so they have plenty of choice with regard to players who will score against us. Shrewsbury are on a seven match unbeaten run and, as they say, are riding high. But they have only won once on their travels and only average a goal a game away from home. So far.

But the Town fans are agog to find out if Mr Newell will start our new striker (whose name I dare not mention for fear of attracting accusations of racist imperialist patronising summat or other). It is pretty certain that he will get a game, and I suspect will start along side Proudlock. So if it were me I'd try Jarman wide left instead of a sniffling Bosh. Whatever team is picked it would seem a sure thing that our left hand side will rapidly become the target for Shrewsbury's attacking intentions.

The Cod Almighty T-shirt man just reminded me that if you are stuck for a present then a T-shirt rarely disappoints. He can't compete with the high street sales and has no clue about how to apply the drop in VAT rate but if you order by the 18th he'll get it in the post same day. Sadly I can't make the match tomorrow because I'm helping out (ligging) at my son's mates gig in Nottingham and here's an unashamed plug for The Beast and the Priest. Fast flashy guitar solos - the return of blues rock starts here - Ahead rings out! Now all I have to do is root out my great coat and decide what album to carry under my arm. See yer.