Lennie's Wish List

By: Stephen Bateman
Date: 22/12/2000

Mariners boss Lennie Lawrence is hoping for a Christmas bonanza over the next week and a half as Grimsby get to grips with a gruelling holiday fixture list which sees them in action four times in the space of just nine days.

Town travel to Preston tomorrow, and also face home clashes with Portsmouth and Stockport, along with a trip to Hillsborough on New Years Day, as they take on Sheffield Wednesday. Lawrence has set his sights high, and is confident that his side can bag at least eight of the twelve points available during the festive season: "If we had thirty points by the turn of the year, I'd be more than happy. I had that target in my mind at the end of October, and that would be marvellous. "It's a tall order, but if we win the two home games and nick a point somewhere we're not going to be far away." In spite of the likely return of Steve Livingstone and Tony Gallimore, the Town manager looks set to name his first unchanged side in ten matches. Zhang Enhua will partner Paul Groves in defence once more, although Lawrence pointed out that he is being forced to juggle with the Chinese captain and Richard Smith as he said: "It's a balancing act between Zhang and Richard Smith. Both are a bit short of match fitness and Richard is coming back from an injury." He then went on to praise the contribution of club captain Paul Groves against Norwich last week, saying: "Grovesy was outstanding. It would be crazy to leave him out. He's an option as a defensive midfield player but it would be crazy to drop him."

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