Tomorrow's Game is "Bigger Than Arsenal" Says LL

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 09/11/2001

LENNIE LAWRENCE expects nothing less than a win tomorrow and declared that "They are not better than us!" The pressure will be on both teams who each have a separate mission. Terry Yorath because he might be appointed manager if Wednesday win and Town aiming to record a much needed win.

"They're not better than us. They've talented individuals and Gerald Sibon is a matchwinner. They'll have a big crowd and the first 20 minutes will be absolutely crucial." Lawrence told the Grimsby Telegraph.

"It's going to be about desire and it won't be a place for the faint hearted."

"It's a bigger game than Arsenal for us and it will mean more to their careers in the long term than any game at Highbury. We can do it because they aren't better than us."

"We're under pressure but they're under it more because they've lost at home last week and they're a big club."

"We need not to lose but that's not to say we'll be going for a draw. Our objective is to get a goal and we have to defend better."

The injury situation has eased a little with Lawrence saying "Michael (Boulding) will play, it's just where. If he plays out wide and you get the ball to him he can be devastating - like he was against Birmingham. If we don't, then it's a different story."

Stacey Coldicott will miss the Sheffield Wednesday game after suffering a muscle strain in Thursday's training session, meaning that Lennie Lawrence will have little option but to restore Danny Butterfield to what many regard as his natural position of right back.

Lawrence has preferred to use the 21-year-old in a central midfield role this season, but other than the left-sided Ben Chapman, Butterfield is the only person left at the club able to play in the problematic area of right back. John McDermott, Alan Neilson and now Coldicott have all been dogged by injuries when playing in this position.

But with Danny Butterfield probably taking Coldicott's place Boulding may have to take a left-wing spot for with Stuart Campbell partnering Menno Willems in the middle.

Phil Jevons should be playing with Jonny Rowan will be on the bench with Ben Chapman and Stevie Croudson and Paul Raven.

David Smith and Wayne Burnett may also get a chance in the squad after a long lay off with injuries.

Grimsby Town Coyne, Butterfield, Broomes, Groves, Gallimore, Pouton, Campbell, Willems, Boulding, Allen, Jevons, Croudson, Rowan, Raven, Chapman, C Thompson, Bolder.

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