Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 16 August 2010

16 August 2010

Mardy Diary writes: That'll do, won't it? For now? Given that's it's 20-odd years since Town last won away on the opening day of the season, and it feels like years since we last won away. OK, the display wasn't pretty. OK, we came under the cosh against ten men for most of the game. OK, we didn't create much. However, we stopped them scoring which is something we routinely failed to do last season. And, away from home at least, the manner of the performance isn't so much of an issue - both Buckley and Slade realised this (and surely there isn't a Town fan who hates Buckley and Slade, is there?). What is important away from home is not losing and, preferably, not conceding. At home things are different; at home we expect entertainment and more attacking play (most of the time) - but there will be plenty of matches this season, especially away from home, where we need to work for the points. Let's just hope this is the first of many gritty away wins, and not the first of many matches we see little attacking play.

There's not a lot to report today other than what I've covered above. Woods and Peacock both admit the performance overall was poor, but the result and the defence were good. My God it's good to have a solid defence again - long may it last. Too many football fans obsess about attack these days - but me, give me some solid defensive displays any day. Give me Lever, Whittle, Jones... that's what I like to see. None of your allegedly 'brave' John Terry types. None of your all-out attack, forget about defence football - that's for the playground. I like a defender who puts his head where others fear to tread - and Watt, and especially Kempson, look like that type of defender to me.

Of course, Steve Evans isn't happy. You can listen to him here bleating on about Sainsbury's or something or other, the sweaty, tax-dodging, eyeliner-wearing crook. But everyone else seems happy. I think even Crawley fans aren't too keen on Steve 'Taxloss' Evans, and certainly the view from Conference supporters seems to be: "Ha!"

Elsewhere the youthers got off to a decent start away at York, for Robbie Stockdale's first game in charge - dominating for large spells, but coming away with a 2-2 draw. Also - and fair play to the club on this one - a deal has been struck with Stagecoach offering free bus travel on match days for season ticket holders. I'd usually sulk a little bit about something like this, as an exiled season ticket holder, but that would just be petty. I can't find fault with a deal like that and I think it's a decent gesture by the club - I don't suppose it'll work with Stagecoach Sheffield will it? Hey, I catch the bus to the train station y'know.

Finally, an honourable mention to Radio Humberside, who seem to come in for a lot of flak, which I've never quite understood. I thought their pre-match programme on Saturday was great and included lots of Town coverage - interviews with staff and players, all delivered in what I thought was a very positive tone. And all free via that there internet thing - marvellous. I also thought the coverage of the match was generally positive, even from Dave 'KC' Burns - despite what others seem to think. Admittedly, their view on the defensive performance doesn't seem to match that of others - but each to their own. However, I think I might share Southampton fans' views on Ian Branfoot...