Cod Almighty | Postbag

In, out, shake it all about

19 May 2012

Remember the Postbag? No? Nor do we, but here are some excellent thoughts on the Mariners' playing squad stayings and goings that the Diary had no space to accommodate.

Write to Cod almighty at postbag@codalmighty.com.

Where's the guidance, the mentoring, the direction?

Well said Mardy Diary (See the Diary of 4 May 2012). A further illustration of the piss-poor management and direction that has bedevilled the club for years and years. Arrogance in extremis, macho posturing and an implacable "no-one's right but me/us" attitude that is characterised by emotive outbursts to pitch-side supporters and injudicious reporters alike.

Let's not forget too, that same joint-manager (allegedly)verbally assaulted a young referee during a youth game recently, something perhaps not widely reported.

But this isn't just about management. Where's the guidance, the mentoring, the direction or the challenge from above - the wise head that mediates, counsels and ensures that the outcome is "right for the business"? Nowhere, it seems. So a decision, for example, to release just as good a prospect in Scott Garner is taken before the outcome of I'Anson's future is confirmed.

It's risible but it's nothing new. I enjoyed Tuesday Diary's (1 May) lamenting the ones that got away - let's not forget that Cameron Jerome was released from the youth set-up, later to change hands for £3m, because he was too difficult for the club to handle. I'm not condoning said Mr Jerome's (alleged) selection of instrument with which to settle differences at training, but at the end of the day a lack of will (from Neil Woods) to properly manage a young and challenging employee probably cost the club a few quid along the way.

from Larne Mariner

The spine of a decent team but the head's another matter

Dear CA, I felt the need to put hands to keyboard after reading of the "ins and outs" (© SNOS) at Town over the last few days for a few ramblings.

I count we now have 11 players definitely under contract for next season, and one of them has been "told he can find another club" (Makofo). I'm not counting Frankie cos he hasn't made his mind up at the time of writing this, which suggests he's a bit pissed off with the offer he's had and is keeping his options open - way to motivate the lad S & H!

I think we have the spine of a decent side (McKeown, Miller, Disley, Hearn) but otherwise it's another total rebuilding job over the summer isn't it? Just like every summer for, ooh, the last 12 years or so. So you have to conclude that we will get the same result as, ooh, the last twelve seasons or so.

It's a disaster that Charlie has gone, he was a real find and if he was offered the same deal as Thanoj as the club claim, you have to think maybe he looked at what's happened to Scott Garner at Town and didn't fancy bench warming for a year and then getting the bum's rush. Not an encouraging sign in terms of attracting new players is it? Also, why do Town insist on announcing private contract negotiations to make it look like the player that's left is a greedy bastard (see under C for Coulson and Connell)?

Soares didn't impress me at Telford or Tamworth recently but I'll reserve judgment a bit longer.

Can't fathom letting a solid (if unspectacular) right back like Silk go (by the way, can you get a spectacular right back?) and then saying we will bring another unknown quantity in, probably for twice the price and half the impact.

In my view Elding shouldn't have been offered another year but I hope he makes me eat my words next season. He just doesn't convince me as a dangerous striker, even at this level.

I'm pleased to see Thanoj and Southwell sign up, I just hope Southwell gets more of a chance than, say Mulready or Corner, and is given time to mature.

Really concerned about 4-3-3 - I saw it in the home game against Darlington this season and it lost us the game that day. We haven't got the personnel to play that game I'm afraid and are unlikely to get them at the price we can afford to pay. I don't know what the hell formation we were playing at Telford in April, and I don't think the players did either.

Place your bets on Scott doing what the Fiorentina manager did recently next season.

Cheers

from Chris Beeley

Letters Ed responds: Spectacular right backs? Macca was almost spectacular in his unspectacular all round competence, but there were a couple of spectacular goals in his career as well, and when the young Gary Croft played there, he was pretty dazzling. But as Rob Scott would no doubt remind us, they aren't here any more, and on our budget we can't afford our younger equivalents, so we should really value solid, unspectacular players li

When Rovers went Bust

I had to laugh reading what I wrote in 09 but you still say in the rough guide that "Rovers were honourable when going bust". We NEVER went bust nor went into admin. We just had to change grounds. You say you searched but not too well eh? As for doing well, How are the mighty Grimsby doing?

I reckon your Dawkins fella is still smoking that whacky tobaccy.

from Julian Pirog

Letters Ed responds: Think I'd better refer you to the answer I gave three years ago, Julian, but it's good to see you don't let these things rankle. And it's also really impressive the way Rovers have put going bust behind them and carried on. That's really impressive. Other clubs could take a lesson from you in how to recover from going bust. Why don't you write a book? Here's the title: How Rovers went bust but lived to tell the tale.

If anyone wants to take us to task for some ambiguous wording in an eight-year-old article, I'd prefer they kept it to themselves. Anyone else should write to postbag@codalmighty.com.