Twice The Players Did Not Turn Up

By: Steve Johnson
Date: 27/10/2006

VISITING Cardiff I felt that a team did not turn up whose minds were on, at least, the task in hand. Subsequent events suggested that the manager was already going elsewhere and many of the players also.

Surely this was the time to make a fresh start, not to promote someone who was closely involved with the end of season decline. Events have transpired so that last Saturday. was the first time this year I have been able to see the present team live. At least I think they were .

I travelled with 2 County season ticket holders who assured me it was 56 years since they had won at Blundell Park. I was not confident as their total overall clear out, with 4 ex mariners now playing, was doing well, whereas the random signings and loanees we have made lack cohesion and passion.

I made a Freudian slip by asking for tickets for the main stand where years ago I watched effort and commitment. The lowness of the roof suggested that we might not see much of the ball which turned out to be largely true.

Our pre-match fish and chips dinner and a brief glimpse of Cleethorpes beach was soon to be the highlight of MY visit. My friends feigned pity but secretly enjoyed my misery at watching such an abject performance.

We were just behind the non-players. Cohen, Reddy, Beagrie and Rankin, the last 2 who I assume are capable of getting on to a football pitch occasionally , seemed to quite enjoy the occasion which would appear to add fuel to the Beagrie rumours.

Where now? I am not sure I longer care which I find very sad after nearly 50 years. Living near Newark, Jamie Forrester and Lincoln may be a better bet or even Hucknall Town with Peter Handyside.

The latter may get me ready for non-league where Grimsby are in real danger of going unless there is a radical re-think. This should include a new management team ,stopping a series of cheap signings and loanees who are no better than existing players, give youth its head, get the age profile of the players in balance and when we get a footballer like Kalala play him as the present Yeovil manager does.

Was it the assistant manager who did not rate him?

The future is not bright. Certainly not the Play Offs so it looks like the conference next season.

Nurse! Back to the Darkened room!

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