Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 4 July 2011

4 July 2011

Mardy Diary writes: Well, today's a bit of a letdown after all the excitement of last week, isn't it? Not that I'm complaining, mind: I've said often enough that I'd be happier with a smaller squad of players. A smaller squad means more focus and a more settled side (as there's less option for tinkering). It forces the managers' hand - especially as loans still take a little while to bring in. But it forces them to work with what they've got: stick with a player who's not quite found form; throw in a youngster to cover a short-term injury; play a settled side. And if there are more serious long-term injuries, then that's where the loan system comes in to play. Isn't this what the loan system was really for in the first place? That and giving teams the option to 'try out' players before buying them.

So I'm happy. I'm happy that there's the potential to get to know the names and style of play of a settled group of players. Happy that we don't have to go on about which midfield pairing is the one that really works, who should partner Connell up front, what the first choice back four is. All of this is pretty obvious now - and that's not to say that there isn't competition, just that there's not too much competition. A settled side brings consistency, and then hopefully results. The last time we had anywhere near this small size of squad was under Buckley's last spell, and coincidently that's the last time we put together any kind of unbeaten run worth talking about. Still, some people flap on about squad rotation, but it's just not relevant at this level. Or at most levels. Or any level.

Of course, this consistency and small squad approach can only really work if it is allowed to work: you catch my drift, right? If the first choice get off to a flying start, then I guess we won't even be discussing changes. But we all know, a slow start, the odd bad result and the murmurs will start. It's then that wholesale changes or new signings or loans start to unsettle the team and lead to the inconsistency that has plagued the team over the last few years. If the new two in charge hold their ground and put faith in their players above the groans of (some of) the fans then that consistency may come. There's no guarantee, of course, but we can never know without trying.

The other issue of course is the Fenty factor. The consistency of the team isn't just affected by a consistent and focused group of players - but by consistent leadership too. If things aren't looking great in October will they be given time to make the tweaks to put things right? And tweaks are what will be needed, barring utter disaster: tweaks and small changes, not throwing more money at temporary fixes. And come the end of the season we may have done well - but doing well and not finishing top in this league doesn't guarantee promotion. If we're there or thereabouts do we remain calm and tweak or do we start the whole sorry cycle again?

So, I'll be buying my season ticket soon and hoping, as I always do, that we're taking the calm approach this time. More fool me, eh?