Cod Almighty | Diary

Three rivers

12 November 2019

The Mariners' route to Wembley - and we are gonna win the cup one day - is winding and shrouded in mist. We know we must travel to Newport, but we don't know when. Overcome the Uskovites (with thanks to Tony Butcher) and in round two we would play Maldon & Tiptree.

The Jammers play in the Isthmian League North, four steps below Grimsby, Newport and indeed Leyton Orient, who they beat on Sunday. If this table is to be believed, they have only played five league matches so far this season, but have won them all. Winding definitely, from Lincolnshire to Gwent and then perhaps to Essex. If it turns out to be long and winding, we'll have done well.

One person who won't be joining us on the journey is Charles Vernam. He has joined Chorley - currently bottom of the Conference - on a month's loan, and played for them at Mansfield on Saturday. He is therefore cup-tied: that must be a measure of Michael Jolley's expectations: of Vernam, our cup chances, or both.

A trawl of the internet suggests Vernam had a decent game. He played 61 minutes, put himself about a bit, created one decent chance and had another himself. Domestic Diary's own sightings of Vernam have been limited this season. He was a sub against both Oldham - where he caused some problems and helped change the game - and a few days later at Salford.

My view is that Vernam is one of a few of the younger players who needs a display of trust: a run of games in a settled team and the chance to develop some partnerships. Reflecting on Miss Guest Diary's comments last week, it is surely no accident Harry Clifton's best, sustained spell of form came this time last year when he was established in midfield.

We don't have players who can win games on their own. Our best - our only - chance of creating openings is to develop familiarity across the team so we can move the ball around quickly and more accurately. I say that on the basis of absolutely no technical knowledge, but I'm not sure football is quite such a complicated game as some people make out: "Move the ball, then move yourself."

And with that, I will indeed move myself. See you.