MANSFIELD MATTERS:FOR THE FANS, BY THE FANS!
  • Home
  • MM-Blog
  • 2020-21
  • PODCAST
    • Stags Stories
    • Legends LIVE
    • A Trip Down Memory Lane
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
  • Back In Time
    • Into The Unknown
    • The Conference Years >
      • Stags 2011-12 (Play-offs)
      • Stags 2012-13 (Champions) >
        • Audio Highlights
        • Reserves & Youth
        • Youth
      • 2011: When Dreams Came True
      • 2012: The Year Of The Stag
    • Stags 2013-14 (Football League Return)
    • Stags 2014-15
    • Stags 2017-18
    • Stags 2018-19
    • 2019-20

Predicting the un-predictable

17/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Departing Keeper Alan Marriott in action [PIC - Chris Holloway]
Yesterday saw the sorry news that longest serving player Alan Marriott has failed to agree a new deal with the club and will subsequently not be seen in the Amber and Blue, or in his case Red, Grey, Green and classic Pink, again.

The much loved gloves-man follows favorites such as Louis Briscoe and Lee Stevenson to name but a few out of the One Call Stadium exit leaving supporters pondering and questioning the nature of Paul Cox's management once more.

Marriott has been a fantastic servant to the club and I am sad to see him move on, however this morning I can't help but wonder if Paul Cox is attempting to edge away from some of his predictable choices of the past in order to start a new chapter in the soap opera that is Mansfield Town.

We all have our predictable routines whether they be subconscious or on purpose. Every day I catch the same two busses at the same time of day to get to work, I get off at the same point and walk the same route to sit at the same desk and do the same job - it's a way of life.

There are times I notice these similarities and attempt to make a change, so I'll catch a different bus which takes a different route - sometimes I'll even get off at a different stop and walk a different route, thrilling I know! I do this to make each day different and whilst ultimately I end up in the same place, the way I got there has changed.

Thinking about that for a moment, I wonder if Paul Cox after three years at the helm has decided it’s time to get off at a different bus stop.

His three pre-seasons so far have been the same, crammed with so many games he becomes confused and unable to pick a settled squad to start the campaign - I’ll look at this in more detail in another article but the common denominator is this - Two many games has equaled a split squad which as a result has equaled two many players and has taken time to eliminate into something special - namely January and the playoff push, title race and last term, survival.

This term the budget is restricted which means changes have to happen, players such as Marriott no longer become a piece of the furniture, they become an old sofa that must be replaced for half the price. It's harsh, but somberingly true.

Whilst it's not nice to see an old favorite go, it does add an era of mystery and excitement to the equation, who will arrive and how will the new team fare - our ultimate destination is football at a higher level, we will reach it one day but for now, the same sights sounds and characteristics have been put aside for something untested and untried, hopefully being unpredictable will be a risk worth taking - the only shame is we'll never get to say a proper thank-you or farewell.

All the best to those departing and thanks for the memories.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ABOUT MM-BLOG

    If you enjoy the Mansfield Matters Podcast, our Blog page is very similar - just in article form as team members share their views on matches and events! 

    Fancy submitting an article, DM us on Facebook/Twitter to get our attention, or email mtfcmatters@gmail.com (please note, this inbox isn't monitored often so it may take a while to get back to you) 

    Please read the disclaimer on the home page. 

    Categories

    All
    2011 12 Season Review
    2011-12 Season Review
    2013 14 Pre Season
    2013 14 Pre-Season
    2013/14 Season
    2014/15 Pre Season
    2014/15 Pre-Season
    201516 Seson
    2016 17
    2016-17
    2017 18
    2017-18
    2018 19
    2018 19 Pre Season
    2019 20
    2019-20
    2019 20 Pre Season
    2020 21
    Awards
    Capital One Cup
    Checkatrade Trophy
    Craig Priest
    EFL Cup (Carabao)
    EFL Trophy
    EFL Trophy (Leasing.com)
    EFL Trophy [Papa Johns]
    Fa Cup
    Farewell Matt Green
    Featured Bloggers
    Friendly
    Game Review
    Green Energy Challenge Trophy
    History
    Hot Topics
    Into The Unknown
    John Thompson
    Jpt
    Kirsty Swann
    League Cup
    Legends Live
    Manager Review
    Mansfield Matters Weekly
    Mark Plumb
    Match Preview
    Match Preview 2012 13
    Match Preview 2012-13
    Match Preview 2013 14
    Match Preview 2013-14
    Match Preview 2017 18
    Match Report
    Match Report 13 14
    Match Report 13-14
    Match Report 14 15
    Match Report 14-15
    Match Report 17 18
    Match Report 18 19
    Match Report 19 20
    Match Report 2012 13
    Match Report 2012-13
    Match Report 20 21
    Memory Lane
    Mid Season
    News
    Paul Cox 100
    Player Review
    Play Offs
    Play-Offs
    Play Offs [League Two]
    Podcast
    Pre-season1213
    Pre Season 17/18
    Reserve Team
    Rhys Day Testimonial
    Road Trips
    Season Review 2012 13
    Season Review 2012-13
    Sky Bet League Two
    Stags Stories
    Stags Youth
    Supporter Blog
    The Exhibition XIs
    Twelve Against Time
    Under 21s
    Wembley 2011
    Where Are They Now
    Your Views

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2016
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • MM-Blog
  • 2020-21
  • PODCAST
    • Stags Stories
    • Legends LIVE
    • A Trip Down Memory Lane
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
  • Back In Time
    • Into The Unknown
    • The Conference Years >
      • Stags 2011-12 (Play-offs)
      • Stags 2012-13 (Champions) >
        • Audio Highlights
        • Reserves & Youth
        • Youth
      • 2011: When Dreams Came True
      • 2012: The Year Of The Stag
    • Stags 2013-14 (Football League Return)
    • Stags 2014-15
    • Stags 2017-18
    • Stags 2018-19
    • 2019-20