Grimsby Preview
by Wayne Raper - 24th August 2010
Quakers fans would be forgiven for forgetting they are in the BSP this evening as Darlington take part in a game that has become a customary league two fixture over recent years. Like Darlington, Grimsby were also relegated from the football league last season, albeit not as atrociously - in fact they managed to keep their fight for survival going until the last game of the season before their fate was sealed.
Manager Neil Woods has reacted to the drop by culling a large portion of the squad which was responsible for the demotion with the revolving doors at Bludell Park seeing no less than 24 ins and outs, in fact there's been 12 moves either way and this team can now be considered to be Neil Woods team.
Woods has recruited a number of players with lower league experience, yet not many who have tasted Conference football before - a very risky move if you talk to fans of league clubs that have been marooned in the non-league exodus for many a season. There will be some familiar faces to the Darlington public tonight as The Mariners have snapped up a couple of Darlo's former players - Micky Cummins who spent 3 seasons for the club has been brought in after release from Rotherham, and ex-Quaker loanee Lee Ridley from Cheltenham.
Amongst the other arrivals are former Rochdale 'keeper Kenny Arthur, Bournemouth striker Alan Connell, Barnsley forward Michael Coulson and MK Dons wing wizard Lewis Goburn - all solid league players, but time will tell as to whether they can adapt to Conference football and give Grimsby the instant return they crave.
Team News
Mark Cooper has hinted that he may try and freshen things up tonight as the hectic nature of the beginning of the BSP season means Darlo will play 6 games in just 17 days. Liam Hatch must be a candidate for a rest this evening after running himself into the ground in the past 3 games, Hatch however posesses arguably Quakers most potent scoring threat, and in a team bereft of goals at the moment it would be a brave move to leave him out. Cooper does have a plethora of options up top if he decides to change though with Chris Senior, Tommy Wright, Curtis Main and Michael Smith all champing at the bit after spells in and out of the side.
After starting with a 4-4-2 formation away to Kettering on Saturday, Cooper may revert again to his favoured 4-3-3 after stating “I’ve said before that we’ve not really clicked yet going forward. On Saturday we played 4-4-2, people have been saying we should use that formation, but I don’t think we created as many chances as we have been making."
Kevin Austin still isn't 100% after his recent injury so new signing Aaron Brown will make his home bow at left-back. Michael Brough and Gareth Waite are still long-term injury concerns, both recovering after knee operations.
Darlington (probable): Russell; Arnison, Miller (c), Hone, Brown; Chandler, Terry, Smith; Offiong, Hatch, Senior
Subs: Jack; Clarke, McReady, Gray, Wright
Grimsby have a number of injury worries for this evening, with their frontline in particular suffering. Definitely out is one-time Darlington target Michael Coulson who picked up an ankle injury against Hayes & Yeading on Saturday and will face a month on the sidelines. Lee Peacock has a bug which makes him doubtful and fellow frontman Charles Ademeno is still struggling for fitness after coming back from injury. That just leaves big Alan Connell, Connell arrived in the summer after his release from Bournemouth and has looked the part so far for the Mariners. Neil Woods could choose to play 4-5-1, or it'll be names in a hat time to see which of the squad partners Connell up front tonight.
Despite their lack of options up top not many Grimsby fans would still like to have Tommy Wright to call on, the Darlo striker spent a largely unsuccessful spell at Blundell Park last season, scoring just once. Wright will be hoping to feature against his former club tonight, despite being withdrawn with a twisted ankle at the weekend, and if he does he's likely to be fired up for the occasion.
Lewis 'Glass' Goburn may be fit enough for a place on the bench after featuring very little since he signed after being released from MK Dons. Goburn's talent isn't in doubt but he never seems to be fit long enough to use it.
Grimsby (probable): Arthur; Wood, Kempson, Watt, Ridley; Samuels, Cummins, Hudson, Eagle; Connell, Bore
Subs: Garner, Wood, Gobern, Ademeno, Corner
Ones To Watch
Alan Connell - The former Bournemouth target man is Grimsby's marquee signing and much is expected from him if they are to have a successful season.
Kenny Arthur - The former Rochdale 'keeper replaced Sam Russell at Spotlands but was released at the end of last season as he'd struggled with injuries, a very competent stopper at this level if he can stay fit.
Lewis Gobern - A tricky winger with good pedigree having come through the ranks at Wolves and gone on to play for MK Dons in league one, again injuries have hampered his career, but if he can get fit and get a run of games he should terrorise BSP defences.
Previous Meetings
24/04/2010 - League Two, Darlington 0 Grimsby 2
26/09/2009 - League Two, Grimsby 1 Darlington 1
21/02/2009 - League Two, Darlington 1 Grimsby 0
01/11/2008 - League Two, Grimsby 1 Darlington 2
Head To Head (League)
Darlington W 18, Grimsby W 19, Draws 11
Form
Darlington WDD
Grimsby WDL
Prediction
Darlington 1 Grimsby 0 - Tommy Wright
Further Info
Following The Game
As usual Ray Simpson will be covering the game which will be broadcast in it's entirety live online at BBC Tees (click logo to listen)
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