Cod Almighty | Diary

Spread the map on the table, every road and every bend, it mattered!

28 March 2023

Saturday was frustrating but I actually enjoyed the afternoon. Setting my sights too low? It goes without saying I would have liked all three points, especially if play-offs were realistic, but I've been to so many Town games like that when we have lost that I didn't leave too disappointed. Decent nosh at the ground and catch up with friends, what's not to like?

I can't help but turn my thoughts to the end of the season even though we still have ten games left. We might have five home games to go and our home form hasn't been great this season but hopefully there is still a chance for players who are out of contract to make a final impression. I'm sure Hurst will already have ideas of who he wants to keep and conversations will already be well underway but there will also be players who won't be offered new terms. It's a tough existence and I hope they all impress someone enough to get an offer from elsewhere.

I also turn my thoughts to who might be going down from our league this season. Personally, I'd like Hartlepool to stay up. Proper club, as they say. It's looking increasingly unlikely but there's still time, just. This evening we're away to Crawley who sit just above them so Town could give them a helping hand.

Heading south again, players and fans alike must feel a sense of déjà vu on the journey. It got me wondering if we've travelled further than any other club in England during March, excluding any with European fixtures. Bradford, Donny and Tranmere away in April are going to feel like a bit of light relief on the travelling front. All proper football teams as well. Stevenage don't warrant a proper mention without even thinking about their manager. Can you believe it's 17 years since he was escorted out of Blundell Park at half-time by the police? Horrible club, maybe they have the manager they deserve.

On a more positive note I should also give a shout out to the women's team who are very close to sealing the title in the East Midlands Division One North league, the sixth tier in women's football. When you think that the team was only formed for the 2019/20 season, a season cut short by Covid, to be looking at promotion is very impressive. A title win would be very welcome to add to what has been a positive season for the club. We're making progress on all fronts; long may it continue.

UTM!