Cod Almighty | Diary

Thursday’s child has far to go but what about Tuesday?

7 September 2021

Tuesday's diary for Trentside Diary this week. Full of grace? Not sure about that but at least it’s not Wednesday; how can you be full of woe as a Town fan at the moment? There’s going to be times when we feel disappointed but we only have to think of the ticks in the "good things about Town" column and we'll be back there looking forward to the next game. As Miss Guest Diary put it, "discombobulating".

Stevenage's match stewards have been up to their old tricks? From a Facebook post, a travelling Swindon Town fan was denied entry to the game by a couple of stewards for being too drunk. They told him to sober up and have a coffee. The 67-year-old man told them he wasn't drunk, he had Parkinson's disease but they weren't having it. I hope someone saw sense and let him in. Can you see any change there, or that the FA suggest their stewards do some appropriate training?

Ira Jackson Jr has been released from his contract. I hope it's a good move for him in his search for another club. It didn't work out for him here, another victim of our former manager and his chaotic building of a team. A year in charge and nine months on from his departure and we're still slowly putting the squad back in order. Slowly isn't a criticism, just a reflection of how much has had to be done. How many players’ careers have been affected negatively, especially the young ones starting out? I had a look at who is still here who came to Town during that year:

• Duncan Idehan: a youngster originally offered terms but now available for a free transfer;
• Filipe Morais: made available for a free transfer but still on the books. Not surprising after the incident against Bradford;
• Danny Rose: made available for a free transfer but still on the books
• Luke Spokes: maybe the one bright spark as he's still here, all be it on the periphery of the team; but he's a young player with opportunity to make a name for himself;
• Joe Starbuck: made available for a free transfer but still on the books
• Montel Gibson: out on loan, so doesn't fit with Hurst's plan at the moment but at least playing;
• Sean Scannell: what do we think is going on there? There's whispers of fitness and louder whispers about attitude but it's clear he doesn't fit in and you just can't see him playing. A shame for someone who was such a promising youngster at Crystal Palace.

It's a shame when it doesn't work out with a player but I have faith in Hurst's plan for the team and after our start to the season it would be difficult not to think he's on to something that could be special. Let's wish Ira well in his future career; just don't score against us.

There have been lots of comments about needing an out and out striker, a goal poacher, with some fans getting very snippy about it. Hurst knows, he's been trying and he's hinted he's close. You never know, a dose of writer's curse and it will happen the minute this is published.

UTM!