Cod Almighty | Diary

Kicking in the wind

30 October 2017

Irregular Diary writes: So where to start with Saturday: the on- or off-pitch performance? I'll start with the on-pitch performance because, after all, that is why we visit Blundell Park.

I have to say I'm in a little bit of a lull at the moment with performances. I can't get positive with them but ultimately, I don't think we'll be relegated on them. Is that what we want though? The same after same after same, each season? I don't think it is.

The first half on Saturday was encouraging in that we did create some chances, and if not for a post and a good keeper we'd have led at half time. It was similar to the first half at Cheltenham: we play so much better with the ball on the grass. Players look like they know what they are doing with the ball on the grass.

So why, for both of those games, did we revert to the centre-half lumping the damn ball forward at every opportunity in the second half? It resulted in not keeping the ball and the opposition being able to put a bit of pressure on us. Does Russell Slade get them in at half time and tell them that's the quota of football used for today, so let's revert to the tactic of kicking the ball into the wind, which is as effective as pissing in it? Or do our back four have a quick whisper and take it upon themselves to do it? I don't know but please stop!

I don't know how many others are as stupid supportive as my lot, but straight after the game I bought tickets for both the Plymouth Argyle FA Cup tie and the Exeter City league game: a grand total of around 1,300 miles in just over a week. I'll have no hesitation in doing so if the performance is as should be: with effort and keeping the ball on the deck. But if it isn't, even I start to look at my bank account with Christmas on the horizon and think there may be another option when we're away from home.

So off the pitch, let's talk about the band in the corner of the Pontoon. Did anybody know they'd be there before they walked into Blundell Park? And did anybody know why they were there when they'd walked out? It turns out it's part of an equality project that the Grimsby Town Sports and Education Trust is doing. Great stuff – I'm all for getting as many people as possible into our church.

However, and this is purely my opinion, I don't see how this message is getting across when nobody knows what's going on and the samba band are stuck in the corner of the Pontoon with no courtesy mention given to the season ticket holders or anybody else that they would drum randomly, and at sometimes inappropriate moments, during the game. Surely equality is about the two meeting together, not one forcing their way onto the other? That is how many people felt judging from what I gleaned from social media over the weekend.

I don't know what the aims of the project are, but not telling anybody anything about these performances, which have been going on for weeks, won't achieve them. If it was linked to the atmosphere at Blundell Park, it is quiet and has been for a while. Now that is likely to be down in large part to the performances on the pitch, but I also think it's as much to do with a general lack of connection with the club at the moment. How do we solve it? I don't know – but what I do know is that this American clapper crap that's doing the rounds in the Premiership is not the solution.

So with all the gloom around at the moment, the skip's benefit game on Tuesday will be a welcome break. It is testament to Craig Disley as a footballer and as a gentleman that so many players are travelling across during the season for this. 'Podge' Amond, as far as I'm aware, is driving here and back in the day because he couldn't miss it. Neither should any of you if you can make it. We didn't really get to say goodbye to some of the players who will be on show and now is our chance, our chance to thank them for creating memories that a generation won't forget.

It took 20 years (yes, it's the 20th anniversary of the 1997-98 double Wembley wins next year) for the club and its fans to come together. I for one want to hold on to that a little bit longer, because another 20 years of it not happening again would be too hard to take. It is pay on the gate so please do go down if you can.

On Wednesday evening it's the Mariners Trust AGM, with the agenda here. It is very likely that the EFL statement on the Stevenage debacle will be discussed and our next steps covered. Until then, there is nothing I can add to what Middle-Aged Diary wrote last week. No doubt other diarists will pick it up after it has been discussed at the AGM.

So, enjoy tomorrow night. It promises to be a good one!

UTM