Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 22 July 2009

22 July 2009

Idle Diary writes: Mike Newell has been stressing it to us since the players came back for pre-season training. The current games are there to get the players fit, sharp, and playing as a team moulded in his beliefs. Results? Meaningless. I'm sure he knows the word 'utilitarian', but so the public understands he's spelt it out: it's for the greater good. Either that or he's watched Hot Fuzz once too often.

Supporters don't see these games that way. They hope for credible draws and eye-opening victories against Big Clubs to balance out the lifeless performances against lowly teams. The friendlies fire the team into the new season! Especially when they're paying ten quid to watch these preparation games.

So when your side draws 1-1 against Purgatory Dwelling Big Club Leeds you'd be raising an eyebrow and wondering how this could be. Did Leeds stick out a weakened team? Were Leeds actually arsed? Or did Town stick it to them? And your answer is a bit of all three. Town controlled the first half, against an abject Leeds side lacking the verve of Jermaine Beckford up front, and had opportunities to be four up by half time, let alone the early opportunistic goal from JLAA. The visiting side suffered a verbal roasting from Leeds manager Simon Grayson during the break and provided a sterner second half test for the Mariners with a quick equaliser. But the black-and-whites proved equal sparring partners for a share of whatever it is you share when the game's outcome has no bearing on any competition. Fuck all?

But there is one thing above all that last night's game is starting to instil: belief. The encouragement of last night's opening half performance has been infectious. Fans are already starting to - and whisper it - get excited about the team's prospects for the season. And man-of-the-match Peter Sweeney's chills are multiplying. Curb your enthusiasm, folks. Just be content. With a trip to Stockport (this Saturday), Doncaster at home (next Tuesday) and away to Gainsborough (the following Thursday) to come there's plenty of time for further encouragement or a sudden bursting of the optimism balloon. But so far, it's looking solid, and it might not stop there. The Re-Newell plan could take on more charges and changes if there are options to improve the squad. Always thinking, always looking, like a modern manager should. It's encouraging, that's what it is.

Oh, by the way, Leeds is actually in west Yorkshire.