Cod Almighty | Diary
There's no such thing as a down escalator
8 November 2016
Wicklow Diary writes: The positive vibes around Marcus Bignot's appointment continue to vibe. It's easy to recall similar satisfaction at appointments like that of Mike Newell. Of course, we've no guarantee of success. A happy start for Bignot and assistant Micky Moore can't do any harm, though, can it. If we get the green light in the November stadium update and a design that we all love, you can expect a nuclear holocaust by the end of the month.
Sorry – the GY genes still have a strong grip in a shadowy corner of my brain. That scenario couldn't happen unless a four-year-old got hold of the launch codes. So we're OK until President Trump's January inauguration then. That's unfair. It's impossible for a four-year-old to be racist and sexist. They have to be trained to be become that.
We apologise for that interruption to your scheduled programming. Back to Bignot. Town fans are probably susceptible to a bit of charm. Paul Hurst had a tendency to dampen most of his public exchanges. That doesn't mean we've let our guard down for snake oil spoofers either. However, even fans who sat on the fence over Bignot's appointment will have been impressed by him yesterday. Words about pride and regarding club, staff, fans and community as families could be written off as just that, words. But they carry real weight with the fact that he plans to move to GY. In this era, and with a six-month rolling contract, that is pretty inspiring.
After the Newell Revolution, I can't see a managerial appointment inspiring another Cod Almighty T-shirt again soon. If there were to be one, the message would be evolution and not revolution. The Manager Yet to be Nicknamed (TMYTBN) emphasised stability and building on the existing foundations during his introduction to the players. He probably hasn't much choice without an open transfer window – but it's still a relief to hear a manager arrive without talk of dead wood and paid-up contracts. So kudos for a good first impression, made all the trickier by Dale recording the whole thing.
Whatever doubts may linger around Hurst's departure, the club certainly nailed the process of recruiting his successor. A model of simplicity and efficiency. They drew up a shortlist in a timely manner and the preferred candidate accepted. No punchline to this: just credit where credit is due. The only hiccup is that the timing means the new boss's first match will be a rogue trader tinpot arsebiscuit trophy tie. Swings and roundabouts and we'll see you on Saturday for Barnet, Marcus.
The few dissenters I've encountered wanted a 'name' to be appointed. Meta-football strikes again. Clubs from Notts County to Manchester United are collecting 'names'. The latter is choosing to ignore that the most successful run in English football resulted from them perservering with a guy who won nowt for four or five years. At least they have the money to burn. In today's newsflash, Town don't. Appointing somebody with a plan who is hopefully on the way up makes more sense than breaking the bank for somebody on the way down.
The surprise to me is that other League clubs aren't thinking that way. According to an interview with Town fan Paul Maddison on the Football Lab, the last time a fourth division club hired a manager from the Conference was January 2011. Bignot may or may not bring success to Town but to me he's a sensible appointment. Names and meta-football are for the kids. All that's left to argue about was the correct pronunciation of Bignot. It's a poor show when you consider we've had practice with his brother.
The mutual good vibe may dissolve as we evolve. It will be tested at a club where expectations are sometimes set higher than they should be. I'll end by stealing Trans-Pennine Diary's fine closing comment from a few weeks back:
It goes without saying that we want a great football manager. Wouldn't it be great if we could also have someone who could whip up our already fervent support even more than the last couple of seasons; we might be unstoppable.