Cod Almighty | Diary

Begging to differ

29 October 2020

Trentside Diary writes: "I'm only pleased my dad is dead and can't see this" wrote a Scunthorpe fan last week. A bit extreme in my view, but do we feel the same about Town?

Town fans really could chill a little. Our home form isn't great but then it often isn't. I've no idea why. Perhaps it is down to the away atmosphere where fans really get behind the team, whereas sometimes Blundell Park can be a bit deathly. But with no fans, it really can't be the reason. Is it because players put greater pressure on themselves at home where there is more expectation of a result? Maybe. All fans expect more out of home games: more effort, more confidence, more success and that must be the same for players.

And while they are chilling, maybe some fans could just ease up on players this week, and in particular, James McKeown. There were quite a few comments "I've paid my money and I'll say what I fucking want". Of course you will. I do too, but I say it to family and friends, not all over social media. I disagree when BOTB Diary wrote yesterday that we are kinder to players nowadays. I hope players don't read too much on social media after a match. It really isn't kind.

There haven't been many occasions when I've seen someone playing for us and thought "Wow, they are something just that bit more special and they are going far beyond Town." Jimmy Mack is a great shot stopper but less adept with his feet or in the command of his area. BOTB Diary suggests that he has seen fewer mistakes from opposing keepers as a control assessment of our number one keeper. That doesn't stand up as a scientific comparison. How a keeper performs, daft mistakes included, is as much a product of how the team in front of him is performing, not just in that match but in a season and how the manager is setting the team up and asking them to play. If we're not brilliant and our midfield and defence aren't secure, a keeper is always in a weaker position, more nervous and more prone to mistakes.

Let's not be naïve. If our players were at the absolute top across all aspects of their game, they wouldn't be in the fourth division. I love to see the confidence of a team that is assertively playing out from the back but we're not really in that league. It's so risky with a team that has not done it before, is only just getting used to playing together and isn't perhaps as skilful as you would expect in the top flight. It's Holloway's team and he knows what he's doing but I would prefer to see us mix it up a bit.

As for the idea that McKeown needs to go, we were sold the idea that Holloway would be a draw for players who we wouldn't usually attract, but there has been limited evidence so far and I would be genuinely surprised if we could replace Macca with anyone better. Yes, I am frustrated by our inconsistency and our number of attempts are abysmal. I'll continue to be concerned, not by our keeper but until I can see where regular goals are going to come from.

Our performance at Forest Green was disappointing. If we could play with the same verve that we showed in parts of the second half, it would be something. I was also disappointed not to see anything of their "Art Director". If ever there was an example of a club having too much money poured in, this must be it. (The article also reveals Town haven't had a player go on to score for England since 1924, so maybe I'm worrying too much about where our goals will come from this season.)

I won't be watching on Saturday because I'm not giving cash to the bra-gropers but I hope we get a hatful. UTM!