Cod Almighty | Diary
Sneaky scouts and embargoes
7 October 2021
Journo Diary writes: Seven wins, two draws and only one loss isn't a bad start to the season is it ay? Pretty special if you ask me. Let's hope that from here on up it only keeps getting better.
Waiting for the 10pm embargo sat at my desk last night at university was the highlight of my day, watching us score three wonderful goals and then roll my eyes as we let two in after going down to ten men. When you have ten men and 15 minutes to go until the final whistle, it’s the most nerve-wracking thing ever, but phew, we managed to take the three points back to Blundell Park.
Embargoes are frustrating things and as a football journalist it's something I hear about daily. But waiting over 24 hours for highlights is super-frustrating, especially when you know your team have just scored, for example, five goals in the first 45 minutes; you want to see them straight away.
With us doing so well, it's clear that teams are going to become nosey and will try and nick our players from us; which I'm sorry but that isn't happening. Hull City, as well as other teams, sent scouts to Altrincham to spy on our youngsters, thinking they can steal them from us. The likes of Ryan Taylor and Will Bapaga could possibly be some of the players that have caught the eye of scouts in the area, Taylor having scored five for us so far this season. Sorry footballing world, but these precious members of Paul Hurst's black and white army are not currently on the market.
Obviously playing at a higher level is something that any footballer dreams of, but when you've got a set of fans as loyal as us and the relationship between fans and club is such a special bond, it's heart-breaking when a player who gives their all departs the club for bigger and better things, even though they undoubtedly deserve it.
Hurst has come out about his relationship with John McAtee as he has managed him previously at both the enemy (Scunthorpe United) and Shrewsbury. McAtee had a frustrating spell at Scunthorpe and Hurst said, "He understands that we value him and we appreciate what he can offer, but at the same time we're probably harder on him than we are other players".
The boss gave McAtee his first pro contract and brought him to Grimsby knowing what he can bring to the team, something that Hurst has often done: bringing in players he has managed at previous clubs.
On a side note, before I end the diary, please can any sound engineers help replace the PA system because as all us fans know, you can't hear a word of what our beloved Kev Rogers is saying through those speakers and the day we do, our ears will be blessed. UTM
"WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!"
Journo Diary is the third of Cod Almighty's trialists in our competition to find a new diary writer. We plan to feature one more trialist next Thursday. We're always glad to have your feedback, and we'll be especially glad to have it for the trialists' entries.