Cod Almighty | Diary

Entertainment begins on the pitch, not in the press room

18 July 2014

The thoughts of manager Paul Hurst reported in today's Telewag are entirely characteristic.

On the need for an additional striker: "I'm not against anything – I just want someone who I feel can do a good job for us... The biggest thing for me is not to dive in if I don't think it's right, and not get a player for the sake of it."

On the style of play he wants to see in tonight's warm-up game at Matlock (kick-off 7:15): "If it's there to play, we want to see them play the simple pass and work our way up the pitch, rather than just go long and get the second balls." [emphasis added]

On the route to success: "If you want to be successful, in general, you have to not concede too many goals... It's not just about the defenders and goalkeeper, it's about the whole team being organised. You have to have a mentality to work hard, and get back quickly in front of the back four."

Not a word anyone could disagree with. Will anyone be quoting them in 40 years' time? Most unlikely, but perhaps, just perhaps, we might be celebrating the achievements of a team run on good basic principles.

Since the departure of Rob Scott, the manager formerly known as Shorty has been in considerable need of a new nickname. In a sport that likes to project its players as superheroes, Middle-Aged Diary humbly suggests Paul Hurst – Football Club Repairman.