The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

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The Grovesy Debate

By: David Peasgood
Date: 18/12/2000

The Grovesy Debate

David Peasgood this week finds Bert and Fred are pondering the Groves enigma

Hear their views and YOU decide in our latest 'fishy' poll.

Bert & Fred

The Grovesy Debate

FRED:
Admit it Bert. Paul Groves is a great club servant. Never injured, always gives a hundred percent.

BERT:
Never injured, but how stuck in does he get? However I will concede he has been a great servant and his goals last year kept us up, but that is past tense. Sadly things move on in football and Groves should move on.

FRED:
How can we afford to lose him? He's a talented centre back, midfielder and scorer of goals when he goes up. He'd have scored this year too if he'd been played further upfield.

BERT:
We have Smith and Handyside back plus Bloomer in the wings and the Chinese chap Zhang looks very promising indeed. Midfield wise we have a hatful of players, maybe four more than needed.

FRED:
A lot of those players are on loan and may be gone in three months. Groves is signed on.

BERT:
Then I say a soon as at least one foreigner signs on properly we let Groves go on a free to somewhere like Crewe.

FRED:
Grovesy has full international FIFA coaching badges and could be a great backroom assett. A potential manager even.

BERT:
I don't disagree but he is also a drain on resources when doing none of those things. Admit it Fred, he IS slower and less capable as the years are starting to show on him. OK he has occasional great games like this weekend against Norwich, but the odd swallow doesn't make a summer.

FRED:
Handyside is tipped to go on a Bosman. Zhang will be too good for us and go to a higher club. Smithy is prone to injury and Bloomer is inexperienced. Livvo is wasted at the back. Who is left? Grovesy of course.

BERT:
But you can't keep old timers in reserve 'just in case' for ever. Let him go now whilst he has the appeal. Either that or wait for Buckley's next appointment and I bet Grovesy follows him as player-coach or assistant.

FRED:
You seem determined but I say it's a mistake. Mark my words he'll either be a defensive kingpin come the end of the season and we'll be glad he stayed, or else we'll be struggling and cursing we let him go.

Now for the vote...

Is Grovesy past his best?

Strong yes
Weak yes
Neutral
Weak no
Strong no

What role do you see Paul Groves having at Blundell Park over this and the remainder of next season?

Cornerstone of side
First team regular
Squad player
Coaching job
No future at BP

Where does Grovesy come on your team sheet?

First name
2-5 names
6-11 names
On the bench
Emergency cover

Where is Grovesy best position these days?

Central defence
Central midfield
Sweeper
Watching telly

How long do you think Grovesy has left before he hangs his boots up?

End of this season
2 seasons
3 seasons
4 seasons+
Last as long as Tony Ford

Results

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