Cod Almighty | Article

by Tony Rogers

5 September 2006

The half-time whistle blows. Two pre-match pints necessitate a trip to the Pontoon facilities. Sauntering down the Ponny steps, conversations are under way either side of me. It would be a fascinating snapshot, like tuning a radio in, dipping in and out of the stations, were it not for the overbearing tannoy. Continuing to the back of the stand are little pockets of fans, some standing animated in banter, others mumbling as they go from and to their seats. Most seem relatively satisfied with the performance. And there's reason to be.

"Better than the last game here." (This is Mansfield or Crewe, depending on whether you reckon the League Cup counts.)

"Mate! It's definitely better than Bury!"

"We're passing it around all right."

"This is what I want to pay to watch."

There's a lively discussion about the relative merits of tonight's midfield as I queue for a cup of lemonade.

"Is Beagrie playing?!"

"That new lad for us looks alright."

"What's up with Bolland?"

"How d'you think Toner's playing? I think he's putting in some good crosses."

As I return to my seat along the back row there's a conversation about the defence: "The centre-halves look solid"; "I'm worried whenever Tom Newey gets the ball." Another chat is perky on the back of the performance, yet downhearted about the attendance.

"The club needs to do more to get people in."

"It's a Friday night, mate. Last season we played Wycombe [a real top-of-the-table clash] and it was a right atmosphere. Today it's... Macclesfield..."

"But my point is they move games to Friday to get more people in. Where are they?"

Through the tunnel again and I pass a boy berating his dad: "Don't you ever call this game soccer again!"

During those ten minutes I've overheard a cross-section of fans' opinions on the game. And for once they don't sound too despondent, with hardly any criss-crossing of arguments, lots of nodding agreement. I couldn't sum up the first half any better. Danny Boshell has surprised: impressive, an air of Shaun Cunnington about him, busying himself everywhere. It wasn't flawless from Town: Rankin's determined running wasn't reaping much reward, for starters. There was room for improvement. But taking the lead for the first time this season, being one up at half-time is certainly better, verging on decent. Work your way backwards through the season: better than being behind by three goals at Bury, being goalless against Mansfield...

Whereas Town shaded the first half, with Macclesfield showing fleeting glimpses of attacking brio, the visitors asserted themselves sufficiently in the second 45 minutes to level the field. Despite the Mariners conceding what could be a described as a soft goal (great cross and header aside), Town showed a degree of resilience in the second half though that many would have put past them. The only real chances were as you'd expect during a normal game: the ball bobbling around ten yards from goal before being thudded clear, a shot from the right flying past the far post and McNeil's penalty appeal after tussling with McIntosh. While Town didn't have many shots on goal, they endeavoured to create from the wings. In particular Toner's fine cross onto Boshell's head, Jonathan Brain's reflex save denying a thrilling and vibrant goal. A glimpse of a Town side of years gone by.

Graham Rodger's attempts to freshen the team midway through the half saw the introduction of Gary Jones, replacing a plodding Michael Reddy. Blundell Park resounded with boos. First impressions were that they were aimed at Reddy, his transfer request still fresh in the memory. But Jones's first touches were also greeted by the sound of disdain. And an air of bemusement from those not part of the booing: some way to treat the scorer of 17 goals last season.

Full time and the despondent boos rang more audibly round Blundell Park. Contrast and compare the relatively positive half-time talks. Amazing what 45 minutes can do. Did the fans expect their team to roll over their opponents, what with them being bottom of the table? Reports from among the few Macclesfield fans at the game indicated their performance was a marked improvement overall on their recent outings. And true, Macclesfield did look organised, confident, zipping the ball about with confidence at times, almost plucky. But so were Town.

The behaviour of some fans is baffling at times. Seemingly content to be a goal to the good at half time, yet not satisfied when it becomes a point in the face of stiff opposition. A quick glimpse at internet messageboards sees more disappointment, even anger - all aimed at the recent appointment of Rodger as manager, not even given a chance in some quarters. Those same parties already had their knives sharpened before his appointment. To them he will not succeed - regardless of his achievements, regardless of whether they let him - despite having been handicapped by the absence of six first-team regulars under Slade last term: the four departees (Steve Mildenhall, Rob Jones, Curtis Woodhouse and Andy Parkinson) and the two remaining injured (Gary Cohen and the clearly struggling Reddy).

The new manager is only six league games into his tenure. And those fans need to realise, at long, long last, that we're in the fourth division, and we employ fourth division footballers, not the Premiership ideal forms that seem to be the only quality acceptable to some.

Another point raised is the quality of Friday night's game. True, the match wasn't the most exciting throughout, but it had its moments. It was a typical fourth division game. And every club endures a spell like the one we are in. Remember last season when Town had their fallow period during October and November - six defeats, two draws, and two wins? Despite a similar climate in the stands to the one we are enduring now, the club still made the play-offs. Whether we will reach them again, hover in mid-table, or scrap for relegation this season I know not. But the season is still young. Give Rodger and his players a chance. Judge him and them 12 games down the line - or better still, as John Fenty has requested, in three or four months' time.

For all the whinging and booing, Town remain unbeaten at home. The performance against Walsall is key now. A tricky game, but a good test for Rodger and his players. And an indicator of whether his methods are working. There were signs last Friday that the team is coming together. Let's hope it continues. Maybe then attendances will rise. If they don't... then the club needs to take a long, hard look at itself and question why, if they don't know the answers already.