Cod Almighty | Diary

High days and holidays and kicking our heels

21 November 2023

We've been without a permanent manager for over three weeks now and I was reflecting on how I expect a speedy replacement at a football club but not at work when you could be looking at months before a post is filled. Fair enough there aren't the same delays once someone is appointed as contracts are bought out but we do expect an almost instantaneous announcement. I think it's a bit weird when clubs reveal their new manager within a couple of days of announcing a dismissal. It's very clear that they must have been having discussions before they sacked the previous incumbent. Whilst some might see that as forward planning it feels a bit disingenuous to be that far advanced in talks if you are being honest with fans and, more importantly, your current manager.

Football managers have probably evolved more in the last few years than in the previous century. At least as far as their public persona is concerned. Twenty-four-hour, wall-to-wall media cycles rather than a chat to the local paper's sports reporter once a week. Every comment, shrug or shout recorded and analysed to the nth degree must mean they need a very different skill set to those we might have admired even 30 years ago. I for one am not sorry to see the gradual disappearance of the dinosaurs, although maybe some Town fans think that's what we need. It's never going to be an easy decision to replace Hurst and Doig as the owners have a clear ambition for the club. Whilst I'm sure every applicant will make the right noises, it's important to get someone who genuinely believes in the values that they share. Don't forget to couple that with football nous and tactical ability and we're getting somewhere.

I'm particularly looking forward to the game at the weekend. We have a couple of friends who will be joining us who are actually Boston United supporters so I'm hoping Town put on the display of the season for them. I quite enjoy games when I'm not especially invested in either team, obviously not involving Town, so I hope they enjoy the experience. I will be considerably more tense as I always am at our games. Even when we're doing amazingly well I have that little nagging gremlin that reminds me that it will almost certainly come to a stuttering halt soon. That's the pain of supporting a lower league club. I wonder if there are people who have aligned themselves with Forest Green Rovers in the last 13 years or so who confidently expected to be flirting with the top flight by now? It's never easy, so enjoy the good days when you can.

UTM!