Cod Almighty | Article

by Alistair Mills

5 January 2010

On Sunday 5 July 2009, Grimsby Town's official website announced the signing of one Peter Sweeney and with it put an end to one of the longest (and dullest) transfer sagas in recent Mariners memory: not so much 'will he, won't he?', more 'look mate, no one else is interested, I promise, just come and sign for us, it'll be fine, you'll love it'.

Of course, Peter knew exactly what he was signing for, having ended last season on loan at Blundell Park, where he played a starring role in making Town look half decent again. He teased the Mariners faithful with several classy performances, showing strength in a tackle, confidence in the air, but most importantly – and impressively – a natural comfortableness in possession; for the majority of that six-week spell, Sweens looked a class above a lot of his teammates. The problem was that he seemed to know it.

Because since his return to BP this season, I think it's fair to say Peter Sweeney has disappointed. Well, since half time at Whaddon Road anyway. In fact, that opening game of the season against Cheltenham is almost a case study in 'Peter Sweeney: The Professional Footballer'. In the first half, he shone brighter than anybody else on the pitch, passing and moving, shaking and grooving, and generally showing how, a mere five years previous, he was capable of competing in Division Two matches, Scotland under-21 internationals and FA Cup finals on a regular basis (well, only really one FA Cup final, but it was against Manchester United, no less).

In the second half, however, he dimmed. Admiring his passes instead of supporting the play, forgetting to track back, moaning at the officials, Sweens basically did everything you're told not to when first learning to play football. Thus, his grip of the game swiftly loosened and with it went Town's first-half lead.

Essentially, then, if Peter Sweeney plays well, Grimsby Town play well. Unfortunately for Town, there have been more second-half performances than first halves so far this season (metaphorically). He is a player worth persisting with, though. If Woods manages to find him the correct central midfield partner, or even a new position that is better suited to his style of play (he was commonly regarded as a left-sided midfielder during his time at Stoke and Leeds), then the creative results that could follow would surely match that of any other player in this league. Sweeney has guile, and in this shoddy league that is a priceless asset.