Cod Almighty | Diary

We both like guacamole, that's a start

3 October 2016

Miss Guest Diary writes: Football can be a cruel game. That's what I thought when I saw that Arsenal had beaten Burnley yesterday with a handballed goal in the 93rd minute. What happened at Blundell Park on Saturday wasn't cruel, just predictable.

Town played better on Saturday than they had in either of the two preceding victories, but came up against a good side in Hartlepool and failed to capitalise on their early dominance. So the loss could have been predicted. In fact, I did predict it to my neighbour when Town had failed to score after 15 minutes of constant pressure.

That the first two goals were scored by last season's hero Padraig Amond was also predictable. As was the mistake by Summerfield which led to the first and the doziness of the defence which allowed the second. Both have been a feature of Town games this season. What the game needed was a shot of captain's magic from the introduction of Craig Disley, but he wasn't even on the bench. I really hope was haven't seen the last of our Captain Fantastic.

That there would be booing of our former players from some ignorant oafs in the crowd was also predictable. Though I am happy to report that Amond got applause for not celebrating his goals and also when he was substituted. I clapped on both occasions in recognition of the gesture and of the major part Amond played in getting Town back into the League.

In fact, the booing and the shouted insults seemed really to only be aimed at Toto – something Paul Hurst picked up on and mentioned in his post-match interview. Why should that be? Is it because Amond, for all his wonderful contribution last season, was only briefly 'ours' whereas Toto was with us for two seasons, sharing both the despair and triumph of our two Wembley play-off visits?

Or could it be that these oafs only see the superficial picture? Amond is always the professional, saying the right thing, not celebrating the goals against Town, even apologising afterwards on social media. Toto has been more open-hearted and said some things about the fans and his time at Blundell Park which some will have found hard to hear. Has this honesty turned Toto from a hero into a villain, while Amond's more guarded approach preserved his hero status?

Whatever their motive, I thoroughly deplore the booing of any player when it is not directly related to some foul or infringement committed during the game. And as for the personal insults, how can they be justified? Do these idiots run into the workplace shouting: "You're a wanker" when their hairdresser changes salons, or their child's teacher changes schools? Footballers are professionals plying their trade for the best return they can get, just like the rest of us, and deserve our respect for that. Sermon over.

I'm sure most of you will have seen a picture of Ashley Chambers' thigh injury by now – if you haven't I'd give it a miss: it's quite gruesome. The news is that he has had surgery to stitch it together but there is as yet no timeframe for his return. Which is disappointing: I felt we missed him on Saturday. Much as it was exciting to see Tom Bolarinwa's crazy runs at the opposition, he doesn't offer as much as Chambers defensively, which seems to be more vital at the moment.

Hurst has also said Tombola is not fit enough to play 90 minutes anyway, and is suggesting Town need a coach specifically to address strength and fitness issues. He mentioned the fitness and strength of Hartlepool, who do have such a coach, without actually claiming that's why they beat us. From where I was sitting the Hartlepool players didn't look nearly as daunting physically as either Luton or Mansfield, who we did beat. But they were away games. Which says to me the loss could have more to do with tactics than physique. But what do I know? I'm a girl and I've never played the game, but I understand we females make great linesmen.

This season has been a bit up and down so far and I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks off. Exeter is simply a bit too far for me to travel and I will of course be eschewing the opportunity to watch some overpaid youngsters strut their stuff on the hallowed turf of Blundell Park in the Rogue Traders Trophy tomorrow. Keep the faith. #BTeamBoycott