Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 8 April 2011

8 April 2011

So gentle reader, the dog days of this season continue with tomorrow the commencement of another three home games in eight days. Another week of dwindling attendance, absence of atmosphere and also absence of hope of imminent tangible improvement in our beloved club. Your Guest Diarist notes that tomorrow is Kidderminster - a club in better financial shape than earlier in the season and a team that seems to be going great guns under thoughtful tactician Mr Burr.

The Kiddies have had a string of decent results against 'big' teams lately and no doubt the Grimsby scalp will be seen as very much available. Crumbs of comfort? Well, one of their strikers is definitely injured but then Lee Morris isn't really the reason they are where they are in the league. Chris McPhee has been pushed forward this season and Burr's move looks a really wise one as, to quote Big Ron Atkinson, 'he's been scoring for fun' ever since. Plus his all-action style made sure Kidderminster successfully prevented Town's attempted comeback when they beat us at their place.

Steve Burr has signed a new three-year contract now - reassured by his chairman that some semblance of financial stability has been achieved. So Kidderminster remain a bit skint, but with what seems a good management team and a balanced squad of players, who show great spirit as well as a bit of ability. Town, on the other hand, have directors who brag about nearly a million-pound loss, a management team with a lot to prove, and a squad whose collective head drops as soon as they concede. McPhee had league offers after his successful first spell with Kidderminster but elected to stay and seems to be having the time of his life. He's a leader, which is something else that Town have not.

The subscription video preview had the other one's talking head this week. Saying the same things but in more emollient tones. How bright the lads are in training Dale! How early some of them come in, how late they leave! The facilities are there and some of them use them. I even caught Charles 'Charles' Ademeno looking especially bright in a funny little game between striped canes in the background. Everyone bar Ridley is training again. Lee is still 'struggling' but Bore's groin, Cummins and Watt have all trained most of the week. Leary got the all-clear too late to play for the reserves, but whichever manager it was sounded quite bewilderingly excited by his physique and general conditioning. Ooh, lots to choose from and nothing to play for.

It would seem that many bookies have both sides at 6/4 to win the game, which sounds very short for Town in my opinion. Oh yes, you can pontificate about our home record and how it's time we won one etc, but I reckon a draw is more likely than a win. And, to be honest, a home defeat against a side busting a gut to overcome a rather harsh five-point deduction and make the play-offs is even more likely.

I thought I had contrived to miss this game but circumstances dictate that I will be there in the pleasant spring sunshine to see how well the pitch looks and how uninterested the thin crowd becomes as the collective mind wanders to the subject of how long this malaise will continue. And what excuse we can come up with to miss the match on Wednesday. See yer.