Cod Almighty | Diary

Crazy Golf with Podge

6 January 2025

Miss Guest Diary writes: Three more wins! That's the current house mantra at Cod Almighty Towers. Initially said tongue-in-cheek, we were reminded on Saturday about the 2017/18 season under Russell Slade where Town were on the fringes of the play offs at the start of December and proceeded to go on a run of 20 games without a win to leave us in 22nd place at the start of April. Town did manage half a dozen draws in that run, but we all know that Artell doesn't do draws – it's a win or nothing.

That's the problem with going to games with a bunch of stats-crazy people – they can always burst your bubble with a well-chosen fact. In this instance it was the Irish wing of the CA crew, three of them only born this century, but always ready with a stat about players past and present. Did you know that the current top scorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division is Patrick Hoban, closely followed by Padraig Amond? We could do with a bit of Podge's magic at the moment, couldn't we.

Of course, the transfer window is currently open and Town might well be able to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season. Last year saw the arrival of Thompson, Tharme and Hume who played a big part helping us to avoid relegation. Who knows what talent is just waiting in the wings? But be careful what you wish for – I will always maintain that Slade's January signings in the 2005/6 season were what scuppered Town's chances of automatic promotion.

Setting Saturday's fairly abject showing at Bradford against the previous Saturday's storming win over Port Vale, I don't know whether to be hopeful or fearful for the rest of the season. Will I be treated to flowing football and some glorious victories or will I spend my time looking for silver linings like great atmospheres at away days and meetings with old friends? I suppose that's why we come back season after season – because no one knows how things will turn out and we want to be there to witness it either way. Supporting Town is always a rollercoaster and we just have to endure enjoy the ride.

I'm going to digress a little here to share with you an extract from a recent article by Max Rushden, a Cambridge United fan and one of my favourite Guardian sports writers:

"Results don't matter. Genuinely. Almost no football teams win things. Desperation for a trophy is fine. But you can love a football team for your whole life, win nothing and still have the best time. 

Revel in the pain of it. Every game without three points will make it sweeter when it comes. You will win again. If a trophy ever comes, the longer the wait, the better it'll be.

If you go to away games, savour the journeys, the road trips, the cans on the train. There will come a time for most of you when it's just a memory."

All so true.

I'll close on a more positive note: a reminder that there are some players in Town shirts who really should be enjoying their ride – Neil Woods' youth team. Having seen off West Ham in the last round, tomorrow sees the visit of Tottenham to Blundell Park for the FA Youth Cup fourth round match. For only £5, or £2.50 for concessions, get your tickets now and keep your fingers crossed that the weather forecast of freezing temperatures is as inaccurate as the weekend's predictions of heavy snow in Lincoln.

UTM