Rant Time - Skool Teechers and Uver Fings!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 20/12/2005

THE news that Russell Slade is looking to capture ex-Lincoln player Simon Yeo is pleasing. Although Town appear to have a settled side, apart from one or two, Slade is obviously looking to strengthen the squad.

Yeo may, or may not, sign for us, but the news shows what is going on in the background and should help reinforce the confidence that some have in Slade.

I say some because, going by the comments made by some of the fans, not everyone has confidence in him or even think he is doing a good job for Town.

That is sad really. Because managers are judged, quite rightly by results and performance and in that context, we have really nothing to complain about.

Sitting second, in our division, I have the feeling that had the manager been anyone but Slade, the fans would be throwing roses at him at every game and forming his fan club.

But these are Grimsby fans we are talking about and, true to form, those who judged Slade badly before he was in charge of his first game, cannot find it in themselves to admit that they were either hasty in their condemnation of a non-league manager taking over, or that they were wrong in their assessment of him, even though our present position shows that.

Instead, they still talk about him being an ex schoolteacher, as if that has anything to do with his role as manager, or his time at Scarborough. But not one word about how well we are doing, or the good players he has brought to the club, despite the low wages we pay.

The news that other clubs are interested in six of our players illustrates his ability to find good players, but I doubt if some of the knockers will recognise that fact either.

I accept that in some of the games this season our performance has been dire, but that happens with the best of teams. Our home performance is not all that good either, but does that matter really if we are getting our points away from home? To be fair, our home results also seem to be improving lately.

I also accept that not all the games are entertaining. But we are talking fourth division football here, not the Premier League, and the opposition also play a part in the style of football we have to play.

It has been so long since we last heard of other clubs interested in six of our players and we were sitting in the top three of the table and looking like promotion candidates that I have forgotten when it was.

But I suppose that makes me a typical Grimsby Town fan, who are noted for their very short memories.

Maybe its time I start remembering and reminding the Slade knockers just how long ago that was or who the manager was at the time. I think it was Alan someone or other.

Sure there is room for improvements to be made including the style of play, individual performances and entertainment value. But surely we would swap all that for promotion out of the fourth division wouldn't we?

You said you would at the beginning of this season. Or have you already forgotten that?

Give me an ex schoolteacher and Conference team manager any day, if he can produce the results Slade has this season. He is not perfect but has done more for us than the last five or six 'professional' managers we have had since Buckley.

It is time the Slade knockers accept that and showed their appreciation.

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• Slade Swoops for Yeo
• The Fenty Proposal
• The Danger Within
• More Stories