Cod Almighty | Diary
Jamey Osborne - unforgettable
15 September 2017
Ian Jackson has written to Cod Almighty:
Today is 13 September 2017, the day after a 2-1 away win at Accrington and the day after a diary entry asking lots of questions about the season so far. Hmmmm.
Slade was in for criticism of his post match 4-1 defeat 'soundbites'. You know, remember the Hurst soundbites that were in for criticism, like 'keeping us shape... and very little else'? That's all they are. How much can a manager, or coach for that matter, say differently at each pre- and post-match media grilling. Of course, we all want pearls of wisdom to gee us up, to hear what we want to hear, but hell, these men are just football managers or coaches, not great political orators like Lloyd George, Churchill or Gaitskell (one for the progressives there.) It is a formality to them, they have to work things out themselves, not under the glare of the media or over-eager and, dare I say it about Town fans, over-excitable entitled fans (because we travel well with numbers.)
We are no longer big fish in the small National pond, we are medium small fish in the fourth tier of variable sized other fish.
We need perspective. We need some form of non-reactionary ship-steadying. Seriously, we have nine from a possible 21 points, three wins, four defeats (that's 1.5 points short of the half available). Seven games. That's all. The red cards have stopped. We have a prospect striker in Jones who can become legend, we haven't got Osborne back yet... C'mon, it isn't serious yet. Take the pressure off the expectations and let's see what happens.
I know, I know, the job of a fan is to care, is to support, is to have a vested interest. However, I don't feel that Slade is being given a fair chance. Controversial, but would you work in a place where you didn't feel welcomed? Would you respond well? Think about it: thick skin, bullying the manager etc, manning up... This is all the stuff that progressive teaching in schools (another sop towards the CA team) tries to clamp down on. It's all about getting along with each other, having a bit of respect towards each other. N'est pas? (and I voted leave too, ha ha)
Ian's email was apparently written in response to a diary on 12 September. I'm not sure where he read it as it bears no relation to anything that Middle-Aged Diary wrote on Tuesday. I've just re-read it to make sure I didn't inadvertently call for Russell Slade's head on a plate, whether for his poor oratory or any other reason, but no I didn't. Having given Ian his say - and I agree with him that the last thing the club needs is yet another churn of manager and therefore players - let's move on.
So your agenda for tomorrow. Get yourself to the Mariners Trust meeting - open to all fans - at 11 in the Lower Findus bar, and play your part in making sure fans have a clear say in the running of the club. Then grab a bite to eat and a drink or two before we play Yeovil.
It's a match that brings back happy memories of the game towards the end of last season. Slade gave evidence of the organisation and purpose he could bring to the side. With nothing much on the game, we could just revel in the performance and the day. That day is also a reminder of the electricity Jamey Osborne will bring to the side when he is back from injury. It won't be the same kind of game, but we can hope for the same result.
Up the Mariners.