Cod Almighty | Diary

Y Viva Espagna

17 July 2023

Miss Guest Diary writes: It felt like an indication that people are generally content with the preparations made for the season onfield when the weekend's Twitter spats revolved around cycle racks, getting an extra 30 minutes of play for nothing, and people taking loo breaks during play. Though to that last complainant I would say try sitting at the end of a row during a Test Match – six hours of bobbing up and down while people traipse to and fro buying gallons of beer then getting rid of it.

Having been reassured during Paul Hurst's chat to Matt Dean that he expected Harry Clifton to still be at Town when the transfer window closes, I was able to sit back and enjoy Saturday's game against Hull. It was my first sight of the new players and the three stand outs for me were Danny Rose, Kamil Conteh and Toby Mullarkey. I was also impressed with Jamie Bramwell playing at centre-half. Regrettably, Rekeil Pyke was not there as he has picked up an injury which might keep him out for a month. Most of the others looked fine, though I am still not convinced by Vernam, and Glennon looked a bit frazzled at times. It's going to be intriguing to see how Hurst manages to accommodate all the midfielders he now has at his disposal and keep everyone happy.

Now we get onto the important issue. In Saturday's programme Debbie Cook listed all the improvements which will be completed at Blundell Park during the closed season, including work on the Main Stand toilets. Alas no mention of the facilities in The Pontoon and I can confirm that, disappointingly, there is still only a trickle of cold water coming out of the taps in the ladies. I did learn a new word though: vomitory. Not, as it sounds, somewhere you can detoxify after too many gourmet Scotch eggs, but the gangways between the seats which lead to the back of the stand, which have apparently been repainted.

Interestingly, Debbie also said that the major works on the Main Stand which we were told would cost around £300,000 have been postponed until next year. Could this be because the funds were added to the playing budget? With fees being paid for players and some being given three-year contracts, it seems entirely possible.

Does anyone else feel a little apprehensive about the playing and coaching staff jetting off to their training camp in Alicante today, a place where the temperature is over 40 degrees and there is the prospect of wildfires? It would make some sense to venture there if Town played their games in similar conditions, but on Saturday at Blundell Park it was chilly enough to require a light coat and Mr Butcher was even wearing a scarf. I bet BOTB Diary didn't see that one coming.

UTM