Cod Almighty | Diary

It's not fixture congestion. It's a bonus

22 December 2015

Is it just Middle-Aged Diary, or does the fact we have an FA Trophy replay tonight, at Solihull Moors, feel like a blessing? Our first match against Solihull, the struggle to convert quality football into goals against Shrewsbury, and the effort it took to get across the line on Saturday all suggest that we need to sharpen up our potential plan Bs.

In particular, we could do with James Alabi and Omar Bogle getting game time and a goal or two. It would also be good if Paul Hurst could demonstrate growing trust in Josh Venney and have him start tonight, to try him out as first off the bench should anything befall Craigs Clay and Disley.

All we know for sure is that Andy Monkhouse will be allowed to rest his achilles injury and that Nathan Arnold won't be involved. Nevertheless, Hurst is making it pretty clear the team picked tonight won't be too different from the side who played in the first Solihull match.

Today's diary is unashamedly short. My excuse is I've been helping see our latest feature on to Cod Almighty. And that is very long, but also wonderful. If you are in a rush, don't read The Main Stand now. Wait until you can set yourself up by the fire with a good drink (I recommend malt whisky, dark beer, or a lapsang souchong) and a hunk of Christmas cake. It is nominally set in November, but actually it is about 114 years of history. It's a kind of ghost story, so seasonal. I don't have to say "enjoy" as I know you will.