Cod Almighty | Diary

Distant karma

29 August 2023

So where to begin. Do I introduce myself or season-long loan signing from WBA, Jamie Andrews. The midfielder has played for the Baggies first team in an FA Cup 3rd Round thumping of Chesterfield. Other than that he has had short-term loans at then Conference North Leamington FC, followed by a short-term loan at then Conference Yeovil Town. Welcome Jamie and let's hope for a more successful stint at present fourth division Grimsby Town.

Back to me, the reason I didn't talk about myself first, which is highly unusual, is because I can't remember my bloody Diary name which, coupled with another diary-related mishap, should make me Forgetful Diary. So that's the introductions over…hang on a minute…why have we signed a relatively untried midfielder with a handful of second division games under his belt? Has Alex Hunt run over Paul Hurst's cat? Is Harry Clifton off to join former GTFC icon and Luton benchwarmer John McAtee at Barnsley? Please don't tell me Kamil Conteh is injured.

About the weekend. I didn't go to Walsall but I think a point is a decent return from a trip to Poundland. Usually I just pick up some goodies and a pair of thermal socks. Abo Eisa, it seems, is trying to win the August goal of the month contest by having all the entries.

So we've had no game on the Bank Holiday but tonight we have to put out a strong team in the infamous Premier League U21 Practice Cup where Premier League teams put out their youngsters peppered with a few oldies who won't benefit from playing but can kick the shit out of Town's first team squad, safe in the knowledge that they've maybe deprived some young lad at [insert lowly league club name] the chance to play at Wembley. Football league teams are forced to put out strong teams whereas the Premier League U21 sides are hampered by the fact that they have to play all their games away from home in near empty, for the most part, lower league grounds.

There is one potentially hugely ironic occurrence in this trophy and it is linked to the return of Wrexham AFC to the football league. Wrexham are advised by Shaun Harvey the man who, as CEO of the EFL, introduced the concept of Premier League U21 teams entering a competition meant for third and fourth division clubs. Now 'his' team are in a position where they could be denied progress in said competition by a Premier League U21 side, although they're not playing in it tonight because they didn't get knocked out of the League Cup. That would be the best karma ever. Otherwise I can't get excited at this trophy and will not be attending even if Man City field Erling Haaland.

Anyway, Up the Mariners and if you are attending tonight's trophy game I hope you don't enjoy it, you scab.