Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 6 February 2012

6 February 2012

Miss Guest Diary writes: The postponement of Town's FA Trophy game at the weekend didn't have much effect on me as I hadn't been planning to travel to Bath anyway. For Craig Disley it meant he got to spend the weekend with his family and also had an extra three days to recover from a poorly ankle. For Liam Hearn it meant the temporary loss of an opportunity to set an all-time GTFC record of scoring a hat-trick in five different games in one season.

Weather permitting, the game will now be played tomorrow, 7 February, with any replay next Tuesday. According to the SNOS, Bath are confident that the match will go ahead.

When the rerearranged Tamworth game will be played is anybody's guess. Shorty has told the Grimsby Telegraph that he can't see why it can't be played on the original rearranged date of 28 February. This would mean clashing with the England C game against Italy but, as both Town and Tamworth only have one player each in the England squad, "it would make sense to get the game played that week". If Shorty can contemplate a game without Michael Coulson, in my opinion the most talented footballer at the club, it shows the strength of the squad.

Having a strong squad is supposed to mean players try extra hard to keep their place in the team. But it also means that good players are left on the bench which, from the recent Telegraph interview with Rob Eagle, we know is frustrating for them. Look at poor Bradley Wood - he got suspended for a couple of games and now can't get his position back from Gary Silk. It must be a bit like going on holiday for a couple of weeks and coming back into the office to find someone else at your desk doing your job while you have to sit in the corner doing a bit of filing.

Frankie Artus has been fortunate enough to get his chance in the team because of an injury to Serge Makofo but now he has Louie Soares breathing down his neck. Frankie says all the right things about strengthening the squad and competition for places being good, but it must put pressure on his recently improving form. Adding to the pressure, because his family live in the south-west, his dad will be at the Bath game. He's no Wayne Burnett, but I'd like to see him keep his place in the team. So, good luck Frankie.

Despite all eight of the weekend's FA Trophy games being postponed, the draw for the fourth round has taken place. If Town beat Bath, they will face either York or Ebbsfleet at Blundell Park on Saturday 25 February. Ho hum.