Cod Almighty | Diary

The doors of perception

12 December 2025

We're back again with the importance of perception and how it is so often more real to us than reality. In other words, what we see is different to what there is to see. And there will always be someone willing to point out our misconception.

This is the big bugbear of data-driven analysis and coaching. We are told that what we have is better than what we see. Even worse, we are told, rather patronisingly for many, that we don't understand what we see. A frustrating stand-off is created as those who see what they see and are told that they should see something else are left distracted, disgruntled and discombobulated.

What a great word. So many syllables and sounds and shapes. A delightful thing, big as a word, small in the grand scheme, but a big effect. Discombobulation. It feels like characters could live in a word like that. Disco Bob and the Ululations, a once fab combo that worked hard on the club circuit, scrapping for audiences and gaining a keen following of diehards. They had a couple of hits, a couple of floor-filling bangers, their music got some radio time, got some downloads, got some attention online. They're struggling a bit now. They've still got the same hits and they’re trying to make something new, but the beat doesn't seem to work with the audience anymore.

The perception of these fresh, bright young things dims, and they suddenly seem a little stale, not so young, not so bright, not so fresh. It leaves the audience flat, wanting more, not exactly expecting more, just wanting it, needing it to be there, like it was when they first saw it and they were amazed and their mouths dropped open and they told everyone that this was the best band they'd heard in years. And then it felt like years since they’d been that special. Through press interviews, the manager keeps telling the audience that they're still getting something special, but they don't hear it. Not anymore. They still hope and they remember the old hits. But they don't hear it right now.

It's frustrating and discombobulating. As was Tuesday's draw against Shrewsbury. Should've won it but we didn't. The beat doesn't quite seem to work with the audience right now. We're left feeling like we're losing something that we were never completely sure we had but we were sure we wanted it. Perception. For years we scrapped for goals and draws with an average side, savouring each point as a precious reward. What feels better, scrapping with an average side or struggling with a good one? Right now, the perception leans towards the former.

Artell has changed his tone slightly this week. He still insists that the numbers are on our side, that we are firmly on the right path and that the results will come. Your A46 Diary believes him. The missed chances are a discombobulation too far for many and I'm one of the whingers, but I also know that the strength of the team is still clear: you don't make chances like we make chances if you've given up. It's at the back that we can't seem to shore things up, giving up a goal or two too easily in each game, meaning we must score at least two and often three to get the win. Still, the strength is there. We are not hopeless.

Notts County tomorrow. Always an eventful fixture. Jayden Luka is injured so no bogey there. The rest of them are the usual collection of Notts riches, players who are a cut above but rarely string a long run together, finding that the bumps in the road are often bigger for them. Last season's home fixture saw the ridiculous turnaround with the introduction of McGoldrick turning a dominant performance, including a fabulous Turi debut, on its head. He's not there anymore. Turi is. It's time for Disco Bob and the Ululations to find their rhythm again.