Cod Almighty | Diary
The one where I am grudgingly nice to the Iron
7 January 2016
I think we were all expecting it, but it's still a shock isn't it? Paul Hurst warned us that we had little or no chance of retaining the services of young Conor Townsend. But we still held out hope; we still crossed our fingers that the gaffer was playing his cards close to his chest and bluffing to ward off a big club or two. After Town twice duffed them up in the FA Cup there was no way he'd move to Shrewsbury. And both Oxford and Cambridge looked unlikely as mid-season moves for a player who seemed keen to stay close to Hessle. But when the announcement came... well, how did you feel?
Funnily enough, when I started sketching out ideas for my diary yesterday morning, one of the things I wondered about including was a list of clubs that I'd prefer Townsend not to join. It looked a little like this:
- Lincoln, natch
- Leeds (because Evans)
- Bastard Franchise Scum
- Any team in the Conference because that would be unbearable
- Big Club United of the Premier League – any of them – as he deserves more than to just warm a bench
I hadn't really considered Scunthorpe as a potential move. Now that it's happened, I don't think all I'm that resentful. I know that with my Croft Baker DNA and all, I should probably have more of a chip on my shoulder about our neighbours down the A180 – but you know what? I don't. Good on them.
Good on them for being in the position to offer a decent contract (30 months) to a fine young player with bags of potential. Good on you too, Conor Townsend, as it's been your attitude, professionalism and performances on the pitch that have earned you a move two rungs up the league ladder.
I know we tend to mock the Iron for their gates, but it was some time ago now that they passed us on their way up the league. And until we get back on a par with them I think we should just wish them and Townsend the best of luck for the rest of the season. I'd much rather mock their results when ours are more easily comparable, rather than point out our edge in terms of support. Of course, Scunny Bunny is still a shit mascot though.
So let's put all that behind us and focus on the good news, hey? Henderson has signed for us and seems a useful player with a good attitude. Arsene Wenger rated him and if he's got over his injury problems (what is it with young players at Arsenal?) then he could well be one for the future for Town – as well as offering options in our midfield as the season hots up. I'm sure Hursts has got a few more tidy signings up his sleeve and it's nice to see us with an eye on the future these days.
It's this sense of us building something at Blundell Park which makes me just a bit tetchy when I see a settled manager like Paul Hurst linked with a managerial vacancy. Speculate all you want about out of work managers – that's fine – or wait for a candidate to chuck their hat in the ring. But linking managers in-post like this (or players for that matter) undermines their relationships with clubs and fans alike.
Why would PH walk away from Town now? Why would he give up on something he has built up? I see Hurst as a manager really finding his feet and his own style – and although we haven't got promoted as quickly as we might like, we're having a great season and the football is better than it has been for quite some time. What could Notts County offer? Why would a manager want to step into a position which recently seems to have a lifespan akin to that of a mayfly? Forget it boss, don't even bother reading the papers. If all goes to plan we'll be playing them next year anyway.
It's Welling away this Saturday and with a bit of luck we'll have our mojo back and knock in a good few goals. They won't set up like Guiseley did last weekend: they're not that kind of team. I'll leave it to Retro Diary to fill you in on squad news tomorrow. In the meantime, have you chipped in with examples of good and bad January transfer business at Blundell Park as suggested by Middle-Aged Diary? Drop us a line and make us smile/wince.