Cod Almighty | Diary

Deep breaths

16 August 2018

It's favoured wisdom that you never examine the league table until October and that teams need 'time to gel'. Town's managerial merry-go-round since we escaped non-League has exacerbated the myriad of players in ever-changing formations, with the need to gel so obvious.

It is no different this season, of course, with Jolley's new boys playing different systems while getting to know each others games – strengths, weaknesses, where to play a pass, when to make a run. This is hard enough and the fluctuating results and performances that have fanfared the season will undoubtedly continue.

But here's the rub. These new players not only have to adapt to new environments: they also have to get used to actually just playing the game.

The much-feted John Welsh? Nine league games last year. The last time he played three league games it spanned over three months. Jordan Cook played ten league games last year and none after his red card at BP in January. Alex Whitmore played 21 games for two relegated teams, winning four times. Harry Davis performed 20 times in the Scottish Championship.

Only Jake Hessenthaler completed a full season last year, with Charles Vernam playing just nine non-winning Town matches, and other signings like Louis Robles even less.

The gel can only come when they are match-fit. This will take even longer. Thunderdiary noted on Tuesday that Welsh retreated as the game wore on and was less effective because of it.

The point? Let's be kinder to those players who are finding their natural rhythm while adapting to new ideas and players. Let's appreciate them getting stronger and fitter while improving their mental toughness. And let's be patient with the team and the staff as they try and improve and do their very best.

If the likes of Welsh and Cook play 35-plus games this season, we will have success. Maybe not challenging for the play-off success, but the sort of success that comes with playing consistent football in a pleasing way.

It's not about Lincoln on Saturday or any of the games before Christmas. It's about understanding the underbelly of the regime and the needs of footballers. And the fact that 'gelling' just takes a little bit of patience.