Cod Almighty | Diary

How soon is now?

11 August 2023

Good day, BOTB here. Does anyone else detect a bit of a strange atmosphere around the Town at the moment? Lots of new signings who we paid money for, a familiar looking new roof on the Pontoon, cool rulers who write for The Guardian and can spell common English words, yet a nervous edginess pervades the building, as ex-nuisance Fenty might have said in his more poetic moments.

The season has started but somehow it feels like it hasn't, possibly because we are yet to score. Views on our first home performance against the Wimbledonians seemed very mixed, and the range of Fishy predictions for the Notts County game is, shall we say, broad. The only thing everyone seems to agree on is that our performance in the Carrierbag Cup at Mansfield was rank.

Personally I thought we played nice football against the Wims but the way it all fell to pieces on the edge of the area seemed awfully familiar. How many times in one game can you hit the first defender with a cross into the box? I remember one superb ball in from the classy Conteh which had the unfortunate effect of making you realise how bad most of the other final balls were. We had three great efforts from outside the penalty area but I believe we are yet to make a single chance within it.

In short, this is a hesitant diary. Tomorrow a horde of Town supporters will descend upon the ancient city of Nottingham, to see us play a team of fourth division newcomers who have lost their first two games, one in the league and one in the cup. I have no idea what is going to happen. The County fans will be as restless and edgy as we are. At this stage of the league season anything is still possible, from Orient-like domination to Rochdale-style capitulation, but knowing your team can actually score a goal and even win a match will give us some reassurance.

We all know that a season is long and there can be plot twists galore, but there's something about not getting early points on the board that isn't good for the nervous system.

Or perhaps I need to chill and have some chamomile tea and a jam sandwich.

Being a refined gentleman (honest) I've always hated the coarse phrase 'squeaky bum time' which is commonly used at the business end of the season, but am I alone in feeeling the tension more as the days of August roll by and the team take shape? I love this club, and I so want it to succeed. 

Good luck to the black and white horde tomorrow; I’ll be with you in spirit. Grimsby 'til I die.