Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 12 April 2013

12 April 2013

Mardy Diary writes: With little left to play for except whether we finish third, fourth or fifth it's a bit difficult to get too worked up about the match against Luton tonight. Shorty says that they'll use the remaining three games before the play-offs to build up the match fitness of those who've been out injured or on the fringes of the first team. A wholly sensible approach in my view.

Hearn may start tonight (but perhaps not play the full match), whereas Colbeck starts his four-match ban for being silly, and Devitt is away for the impending birth of his child. That could give Marshall a chance to grab his place back in the team, alongside Disley and Niven who could both return to central midfield. The only player unlikely to play is Pearson, although thankfully he should be back soon.

So - touch Bradley Wood - it's looking pretty good for Town at the moment with players returning just at the right time, along with others starting to get their form back and the team as a whole remembering how to grind out wins. Luton may or may not present much of a challenge tonight given that they started their end of season clearout some weeks ago. Although they're presumably left with players who are still wanting to impress the new manager and retain their place (and salary) next season.

The pressure is off Town now, though. It doesn't really matter who we get in the play-offs - who can really say how those matches will turn out? But I hope that allows the team to play with confidence and freedom, rather than switch off and coast the game. Shorty is right in that results for these last three games don't really mean much, but it would be nice to keep the run going.

Finally, we've received an email from Ben Gresswell who simply says: "Please pass on my thanks to Marianthi for a great report. It really put a smile on my face and summed up very succinctly everything that is great about being a Mariner. Good work." I agree Ben, it was a beautiful piece. If you haven't read it yet, have a butchers now. Seeya.