Cod Almighty | Diary

My achy breaky heart

21 November 2019

The old saying "a week is a long time in politics" certainly seems pertinent at the moment. This time last week Blundell Park hadn't been invaded by Farage and his cronies showing off Town shirts, Michael Jolley was in charge of a side unbeaten since the 19th October (sounds a bit more impressive than two games to be fair, and of course I am not including the game in the farce of a competition that is the EFL trophy) and Grimsby Town were in the FA Cup. Now none of these things are the case. A week is apparently a long time in football too, or at the very least this week was a long week.

It was so utterly predictable that Podge would of course score and we would lose at Newport that I honestly struggle to think of something I would have been less surprised by. Having visited Rodney Parade three times previously, losing 1-0 on each occasion, East End Diary was hoping that staying at home would and watching through the delights of BBC Wales would see a change in fortunes. Alas, apart from Newport scoring an extra goal, and irritating commentary from people who seemed to have only a passing knowledge about either club, it was very much the same as before.

As someone who was able to stay cosy and warm whilst watching a typically poor performance, massive respect to the 93 Town fans who made the journey. If there is hope, it lies in the fans. If there isn't hope then it lies in performances like last night's and the continuing feeling that in every way we are doing the same things that have seen us finish 14th, 18th and 17th in our first three seasons back in the league. The more time that passes, the more we seem like a club stuck in a cycle of negativity, with every other club in the football league seeming to have more to be positive about.

A true step back and we can be reminded that is not the case, Macclesfield seem to be dangling over the same precipice that Bury recently fell off, and many other clubs in our tier also seem to have problems that extend beyond a few poor performances on the pitch. However the fact that our current situation is not as bad as it could be, and that other clubs have similar issues, does not in anyway make our current situation good. Indeed after a hopeful start we are now in a somewhat more precarious position in the table and possibly relieved that there is now only one spot on the downwards elevator available.

Still, a week is a long time in football and who knows where we will be come 28 November. Anything is possible. We may have a new manager, three points and who knows, maybe even manage a week without leaked audio clips showing the club in an unsavoury light. And at least after a wearisome few weeks of postponements we will have some regular football to enjoy, although if last night was anything to go by enjoy might not be quite the right word.