Cod Almighty | Article

by Chris Copestake

27 February 2015

What a difference ten days can make in football. Against Bristol Rovers on Valentine's day, Town not only suffered a defeat in terms of the scoreline, but they also lost a bruising tactical battle against a very well organised side. This was something we Mariners haven't often witnessed, or liked to admit, since we joined Her Majesty's Nationwide Square Blue Van Premier Conference league almost five years ago.

On this particular occasion, as on various other occasions recently, fans questioned Paul Hurst's tactical capabilities and knowledge, with some even resuming calls for his dismissal. Many cited Hurst's frailty and reserve when it comes to substitutions as one of his main downfalls – not just against Brizzle, but at many times over the season.

Against the Gas, Hurst failed to make decisive changes that many thought necessary in order to take the game to our opponents – which, especially on home turf, we should be doing. He waited until we'd fallen behind in a game tighter than Zippy's lips to try and change his side, and then waited until the dying minutes to change to a more attacking formation and bring on a third striker. To many, this was just not good enough, regardless of opposition.

Fast forward a week, and a trip to the capital to face table-topping Barnet. Statistically, Town are the best team away from home in our division this term, and so this proved in a display unrecognisable from that of seven days previous. Full of drive and attacking purpose, we dominated an opening 45 minutes which could and probably should have taken us into the break with an unassailable lead. Even when the league leaders grew back into the game in the second half and eventually equalised, Town looked confident going forward – and more importantly, they looked threatening.

The Mariners faithful watched their beloved side struggle to hit the back of the net against a part-time outfit that really deserved a pasting

Despite this, the chance of a second goal for the Mariners was slowly slipping away. With the game thrashing from end to end before him, Hurst decided to make a substitution that would temporarily confound his doubters come the final whistle. The introduction of fit-again JP Pittman was a revelation. After two goals in the 90th minute of the match – one for Pittman and one for captain Craig Disley – Hurst's substitutions took centre stage, but this time for all the right reasons.

Away from home, it seems, Hurst, and sometimes even the players, change. In the majority of games on the road, as our away form proves, the team and the manager just appear to blossom. But how come we can't recreate this at Blundell Park? Our fortress for over a hundred years has almost become a burden for us, it seems.

Skip forward another three days this time, to Tuesday night. A test of a different kind awaited the Mariners in the form of rock-bottom Telford.

Now, if Tuesday's game had been a television programme, this would be the part where a posh BBC lady would say something along the lines of "be warned: some viewers may find the following scenes disturbing". Despite ending the contest victorious, many of the happy memories from the Barnet match had been erased, as the Mariners faithful endured 90 minutes of nervous tension watching their beloved side struggle to hit the back of the net against a part-time outfit that really deserved a pasting. (No offence, Telford; best of luck next season.)

Hurst could see that his side was struggling. After Nathan Arnold's 47th-minute goal, the Mariners tried everything they could to kill the game off, but to no avail. If Town had been facing anyone other than the worst team in the league (sorry again, Telford; I really do wish you well), then Hurst and his team might not have been lucky enough to escape with a 1-0 victory. It's an awful cliché, but we probably could have played until midnight before scoring a second.

In the space of ten days, then, Town fans have seen the most confusing array of performances from their beloved team, and it's left them really none the wiser as to whether we can actually still get out of this terrible league under Hurst's management. If I had to compare the last three performances to the sex lives of three animals – which I most definitely do – they would be something like this.

I wonder if the fans would be so harsh on Hurst if we had the best home record in the division, and a weaker away record instead? Probably not

Against Bristol Rovers we were like a panda. We just didn't want it, and no matter how desperate everyone was for us to do it, it just wasn't going to happen.

Against Barnet we were like a prize stallion. We knew what we wanted, and nothing was going to get in our way. Not even bees. Really keen bees.

Against Telford we were like an almost impotent rabbit. We tried really, really hard, but with a frighteningly low success rate.

Away from the animal kingdom for a moment, and back to the substitutions. Is Paul Hurst really incapable of changing a game for the better? Matches like Barnet would suggest not, but it's the subdued nature of his tactical decisions at Blundell Park that seems to infuriate fans the most. I wonder if the fans would be so harsh on Hurst if we had the best home record in the division, and a weaker away record instead? Probably not. We Grimsby fans are used to being entertained, and especially in our own back garden.

If we're successful in our bid for promotion this season, then none of this will matter. Hurst will be a legend in these parts, and would struggle to buy himself a pint for a very long time. Let's just hope we see more stallions and fewer pandas from now on.

Tomorrow the Mariners host mid-table Braintree at Blundell Park, and many Town fans will think a comfortable win should be on the cards. But we all know it won't be that easy. Scoring an early goal might make a difference to fortunes on this occasion, but let us just hope that if all doesn't go to plan, that Hurst isn't afraid to use brave substitutions at brave times in order to get a much-needed three points.

What do you reckon? Is the manager showing his limitations, or are Hurst's critics way over the top? Either way, let us know.