Cod Almighty | Diary

I didn’t fall for you, you tripped me!

14 February 2023

I'm sure I'm not the only Town fan whose thoughts turned to love this morning. Love of those black and white stripes and all they represent.

Love for a football team would be an interesting study because, however many times they might disappoint us, most of us are soon ready to forgive. I know a few people who had given up on going to Blundell Park because of our former non-chair but are back with a passion now. Who said reuniting with an ex is a bad thing? The changes at the club certainly suggest it will be different this time. There will always be a few who liked the last one but listen to your heart, we're in a good place now.

Somewhere that seems far from a good place is Southampton FC. No Harry Haddocks allowed for the fifth-round game. They're a fun bunch aren't they? I'm not sure why it's such a no-no. It's one of those silly things that are fun to do occasionally. A few Saints fans were quick to point out that it's not just haddock that is banned, it's anything in inflatable form so we have no right to be upset.

Oh consider me told. How many times have we been here? Of all the "non-essential" things you might take to a football game, surely an inflatable is one of the most innocuous. After the Liverpool beach ball incident, it was made clear that if the ball hits an object on the pitch then it's a drop ball from that point so I'm not sure what their problem is. Besides which they have more to worry about than wheeling out the fun police to stop a few inflatables; having previously been on my list of clubs that I'm indifferent to, I can't say I'll be disappointed if they go down.

Enough of that, we have a game to think about. Let's hope we're over Saturday's hangover and are up for a quick bounce back. I like it when games come thick and fast because it's a chance to right any wrongs and for the lads to put into practice anything they have learnt since Saturday. With the Gills currently languishing in 23rd, I always feel these can be some of the toughest games because they will be a club desperate to pick up points. They have only lost one in the last five games so, despite their lowly position, they could be described as the in-form team.

Come on Town, let's put Saturday behind us. Convenient for southern exiles, it should be a decent turnout.

UTM!