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Cod Almighty | Diary

In the summertime when the weather is hot

20 January 2016

Wicklow Diary writes: We were told we'd be miserable on 'blue' Monday but Tuesday didn't exactly have us singing from the rooftops either. The postponement of the Bromley game was obviously a downer but it is relatively easy to rearrange. The same can't be said for Callum Bastock's problems. After a year in rehabilitation with one cruciate knee injury, the young keeper has received the desperate news that he has ruptured the cruciate in the other knee.

James McKeown recently spoke of Bastock's great future in the game. Like everyone else, I wish him the very best in recovering to fulfil this future. He's out of contract in the summer but the club seemed to handle his youth contract status well during his previous injury and hopefully will do so again.

The postponement was obviously an inconvenience and we have yet to learn of a date for the rearranged game. With 15 weeks left in the regular season we have two midweek trips in the calendar (Guiseley and Aldershot) and an Easter Monday game. That leaves 12 weeks to fit in the Bromley and Woking games. Not a pile-up to concern ourselves with just yet – but that could change with our FA Trophy involvement. In a worst case scenario we will have three further games to reschedule. Maybe then we'll have to look at scheduling back-to-back games…

Personally, I had hoped that Cheltenham would go ahead with their two games/two days scheme. These things can backfire. We all know with utter certainty that if Town managed to implement the plan, we'd lose the league game and win the Trophy game.

There was a bit of a storm on social media the other day after the CA Twitter account inadvertently and hilariously wound up some Chelts on the issue.

The episode has added a bit of edge to the rivalry. Before Monday I had just wanted to catch Cheltenham because it would mean winning the title. It's become a little bit more personal with their fans tweeting pictures of their October title celebrations on the Blundell Park pitch. Sniffing around their forum isn't pleasant either – although I'm aware of the risk of judging a club by its most popular forum. Even still, there are remarkable levels of paranoia and an unmistakeable and amusing 'big club' attitude. I almost had to check I was in the correct 'Robins' forum.

The enterprising podders at the CodPod reacted to the Bromley news to quickly pull together a bumper edition of their podcast. It's online now, featuring guests Martin Gritton and Alan Alger. Town fans who get hot under the collar about Alger on social media might be interested in his balanced views and analysis. One fact I certainly didn't need telling was that Town have the worst odds-on home record over recent years – I have the ripped-up accumulator coupons as proof.

Two things, lads. I love Gritts and he shares some good tales but you cannot call him a Town legend. I am sorry, you just can't. Also, be mindful of eejits like me when you use the term "live podcast". I was on the page at 6:30pm sharp hitting F5 for the live stream broadcast...

This Saturday's opponents Altrincham lost to Bognor Regis in the Trophy last night. They obviously don't have a podcast to fall back on at Bognor. After about ten cancellations, they reacted to the icy conditions by revving a few cars on the pitch in order to get the game played.

Another postponement that comes a less of a surprise is today's planned reserve game between Town and Chesterfield.

On the transfer front, Conor Henderson is still the newest Mariner and nobody has yet snapped up alleged wantaways Mackreth and Brown. If I know my transfer parlance, they probably need to issue a 'come and get me' plea if they expect a team to 'swoop' for them. The CodPod tried to say a lot without saying anything on the two last night but clearly if Brown had issued the same plea to a local taxi firm at that director's barbeque in the summer he might not be a wantaway now.

According to the Telegraph, the return of Michael Coulson from York is a possibility. I'm reserving judgement. After the misplaced excitement on Alan Connell's return, I have decided Ryan Bennett is the only current ex I'd get excited about re-signing. There is an associated rumour that Matt Dannatt danced in front of his laptop flicking v-signs at the Fishy in breaking the story before it appeared on the forum.

Ryan Bennett aside, my signing hopes are grounded and realistic – a Shaun Cunnington/Paul Groves hybrid with relentless drive and 12 goals between now and the end of season will do. Hursty has said he can't wait for the window to close. I'll be happy not to hear one piece of Yorklish that has started to mess with my brain. When Hursty talks about finding the right players to "make us better", I've caught myself thinking make us what better?