Cod Almighty | Diary

You never see it coming, you just get to see it go

15 September 2014

Miss Guest Diary writes: Three defeats in the last four games: we're crap, we're going down. Booo! Hurststs out! Fenty out! Everybody out! Sorry, I was overcome by a bit of Twitter delirium; I really must keep away from social media when Town lose a game.

To lose to Torquay was not a disaster or a disgrace: they were in the Football League last season and play good football in an organised way. It was a disappointment, though not a surprise. I didn't see the Gateshead game, but putting seven past Alfreton last month wasn't a real indication of Town's quality this season, nor was beating Welling. Both opponents looked mediocre and have won only one game each; they are currently at the bottom end of the table. Lincoln on Tuesday was more of a real test, and Town failed that pretty dismally in the first half and didn't quite come up to scratch in the second.

Town's haphazard and ever-changing formations and personnel make it hard to see how we will ever put together a good run against teams like Torquay, or Halifax, or anyone else really. The injuries to Pittman and John-Lewis on Saturday and the continued absence of Arnold and Thomas make the prospect of getting a settled team even more remote.

Pittman is likely to be out for a long while with a torn hamstring and LJL has "shooting pains" in his ankle. I’ll leave you, dear reader, to put together the words 'John-Lewis', 'shooting' and 'pain' into a hilarious combination.

Having to rely on Ross 'Offside' Hannah as his only fit striker has sent Hurst into a frenzy of despair as he tells the Telegraph: "Losing two centre-forwards is not an ideal scenario". He will be looking to the loan market to bring in two or maybe three new strikers. I'm not even going to ponder what formation he has in mind now.

Away from the pitch the Mariners Trust has organised a quiz night on 26 September. The trust was teasing us with the promise of an unnamed ex-Town and England striker. My guess was going to be Garry Birtles, then I saw it is actually going to be Trevor Whymark. Maybe Hurst should ask him to bring his boots.

And finally, something to cheer you up on a wet Monday after a Town defeat.