Cod Almighty | Diary

Growing belief and maintaining the momentum

6 January 2020

Trentside Diary writes: Many of us have been thinking that what our team has been lacking is self-belief, and a regular goal-scorer. We can hope that getting three points after Saturday’s performance was in part down to the players growing in confidence.

They were dogged and although we didn't score ourselves, the own goal was certainly down to the pressure we were piling on so we’ll take that thank you. At an hour in, most of it played with ten men, there was a creeping horrible feeling that we could be the better team but still succumb to a late goal from them. We know, we’ve been there so many times before. Holloway’s enthusiasm appears to be getting through to the team and it’s certainly infected the fans.

We’ve heard rumours of player rebellions a couple of times in the last few years. Who knows whether they are true or not. But what our new manager has going for him in buckets is that he not only talks the talk, but his history shows that "his way" can work, and so the dressing room should listen. It looks like they probably are.

The club have tried to turn over a new leaf and there’s talk of a further mini- season ticket deal going on sale covering the last 10 games of the season. If it happens, I’m glad that they are trying to generate the buzz that should have happened in 2016 but I’m hoping that they don’t mess it up. There will be a few disgruntled full-year season ticket holders if they can’t get a ticket for Scunthorpe away because the new deal gives first dibs on away tickets. Not really fair to those who have stumped up to watch what we had in 2019, so let’s hope some thought goes into it.

I haven’t seen anything on the club website yet, but there were exchanges on social media about a "meet Ian Holloway and his management team evening" on 17 January. Maybe all the tickets have gone to those in the know but it would be great for the rest of the fans and the exiles if this could be broadcast on the internet. I can imagine that this idea has come from the manager himself as he seems keen to engage with fans, plus if he can get numbers up, he’ll hopefully have a bigger budget to play with.

On Saturday there were quite a few discussing whether this all precedes a takeover and were very much hoping that it does. We’re keeping fingers crossed but Fenty: if you're not selling, better keep this momentum going. For once give us what we ask for and get your hand in your pocket! UTM. Fenty Out.