The Diary

Cod Almighty | Diary

Are you 'in the know'?

21 February 2018

Unlike the call to be Grimsby manager, the call to write the CA Diary is an offer that cannot be refused. So when we put the call out for a diarist late this morning, we soon had our man. Thanks to Caretaker Diary for filling in at short notice...

So what's occurring today in the crazy world of Grimsby Town? The social media rumour spreaders are in full blown 'in the know' mode. In the last 24 hours, Town have offered the job to Phil Brown, got rejected by Phil Brown, allegedly have John Askey as a front runner. That's something he did little to unsubstantiate in an interview last night, just after his top-of-the-table Macclesfield trounced Tranmere 4-1. That's put him in my good books already, not that I'm still bitter about Tranmere all those years after.

Other rumours include Stuart McCall politely saying 'no', which is a shame as I had visions of him falling off Fenty's motor at a barbecue. And of course the Paul Wilkinson until the end of the season one, which he did little to enhance at Cambridge. [Editor's postscript: it now looks like the wait will go on]

I'm sure due diligence is being applied by the board, that they are currently going through a mountain of applications, sifting through them and doing research into each applicant's background before asking the questions that really need asking at interview. Questions like what they know about Grimsby Town, how they see Grimsby Town improving in the long term, and the steps they need to take to do so. How do they ensure that youth players have a chance? What changes need addressing? And countless others, instead of "will you take the job please? We're desperate". Take your time, Fenty and co. It has to be the right person for the long term.

Last night's defeats of Barnet and Crewe were a positive. Even our disastrous form at present still leaves us with a breathing space of nine points. Let's not mention the 'R' word; other clubs aren't good enough to attain the points they need to catch us. In my opinion. But then again I backed Man United for the Prem.

Anyway, what will be, will be. Whoever gets given the role, some will be happy, some not so. And the club will still be in the hands of the chosen one.

There was an interesting interaction on Twitter last night with ex-Mariner Martin Gritton. He happily answered questions with a knowledgeable, common sense approach; something Town fans aren't used to seeing. It's worth a read.

Finally, don't forget the Exeter game on Saturday, for which there are offers available. You never know, we may have a new manager watching in the stands, or the attendance boosted by a few 'maybes', so get yourself down if you can, and haven't been banned yet by the club's safety officer, and cheer the lads on to a much-needed three points. Enjoy your day and the game.

UTM