Cod Almighty | Diary

Sign O' The Times

30 August 2023

Hey up, it's Wednesday and it's time for Fill the Gap Diary who's still recovering from a brilliant week of athletics from the likes of Noah Lyles, Femke Bol, Faith Kipyegon, Josh Kerr, KJT and many others...sublime.

To the ridiculous - which leads me to last night's game against UAE FC in the cup no fans want any part of. A game of two halves to say the least, with Town losing on pens after coming back from a two-goal defecit at half time. Thanks for turning up and fitting us in btw, most kind..hope we haven't caused any issues with your squad of 300 players and your hectic schedule as you fit in friendlies all over the world, plus pre-season and mid-season trips to your paymasters.

Listening to the game, Town didn't seem to get near them in the first half. Second half we pressed more, the introduction of Harry Clifton key, and at least asked a few questions. We made a game of it and took it to penalties after being dead and buried at half time. Andrews apparently had an OK debut, but a few others haven't done their case for getting in the first team much good. Or maybe they've helped Paul Hurst's approach to the last three days of the transfer window...we shall see.

Anyway, onto said transfer window. It's always met with a tinge of excitement, a tinge of expectancy, a tinge of apprehension and inevitably ends with last-minute panic signings by all and sundry followed by online questioning of said purchases/loans and the managers and boards who made them. Our lot started early - both club and fans.

Monday saw us sign 20-year old Jamie Andrews, a young midfielder from WBA, on loan for the season. After a quick look at his history, I ventured onto the various sites and messageboards for the aforementioned reactions. They ranged from kind "Good luck Jamie, all the best" messages to "He looks happy to be here" to "He looks like he's on something" to "WTF are we signing more bloody midfielders for?" One thing fans of all clubs are is consistent. Never fail to let you down. Sometimes you do wonder if players bother to look at said reactions...you'd hope they don't. I wouldn't be at all surprised if those within the club showed a dry sense of humour and allowed the team to run out to Alexander O'Neill's Criticise on Saturday.

In said visit to a certain messageboard I came across exchanges between Town fans which, to be perfectly honest, are nothing short of embarrassing. People happy to trade pathetic insults with each other, and others who don't agree with their viewpoint, and indeed fellow fans who produce podcasts, etc. Whilst appreciating people DO have different views, and some use social media to vent or wind others up, these are adults who should know better. Have a look at some of the things you're posting, and what impression it gives, what example it sets, because in all honesty at the minute you look and are behaving like absolute tools.

We've a couple more days to see if Hurst adds any more reinforcements or if anyone goes out, so look forward to more reactions both good and bad before we entertain Gillingham. And let's hope any acquisitions or loans, should they happen, ensure Town's season doesn't end like a Femke Bol faceplant in the 4x400 mixed relay but more like a Femke Bol storming finish in the 4x400 women's relay.

That's all folks.