Man City Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 02/12/2001

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that lost 2-0 at home to Man City.

Coyne: He was given the Man of the Match award at the end of the game after another solid performance in goal. He made two excellent saving blocks in the first half and was unlucky to be on the losing team.

Grade: B-

Butterfield: It was looking like an assured display by Danny until he 'brought down' Huckerby inside the area. He was a bit unlucky to have the penalty awarded against him, as he seemed to give up on chasing his man before falling over.

Grade: C

Gallimore: It was through Boulding's lack of defensive awareness more than anything that exposed Gally down the left. He was often left to mark two players and we looked extremely vulnerable at times. Gave the ball away a lot too.

Grade: C

Broomes: A good performance kept Goater at bay for nearly the whole match, but he wasn't to be denied in the end. Once or twice he let his man get the wrong side of him but again was good in the air and brought the ball out well.

Grade: C+

Groves: When exposed to Huckerby's pace, Groves started to show his age, but until then he had kept Huckerby under wraps. Three times the former Coventry striker tried to dribble past Groves and each time he failed. A much improved performance by the captain.

Grade: B-

Pouton: He was very influential in the first half and many attacks stemmed from his aggressiveness in midfield. In the second half he faded away and looked wasted out on the right. Didn't help Butterfield much when Tiatto was free on the right.

Grade: C+

Boulding: Give the ball to this lad and he will produce something. He still needs to learn more but just his sheer pace at times destroyed City. Players like Dunne looked scared of touching him, but Boulding really needs to help out more at the back.

Grade: B-

Willems: This was a better performance by the Dutchman and it was his constant harassing that won possession in midfield for the Mariners. Once or twice it looked as though he was sitting too deep in the centre.

Grade: C

Coldicott: On his return he showed his usual style and worked well with Willems. The two in the centre certainly put their weight about but Stace looked more comfortable keeping possession and going forward.

Grade: C+

Rowan: Disappointing first half from the youngster and he was taken off at half time due to the back injury that was probably hampering his game in the first half. Never really saw a sight of goal and was largely ineffective.

Grade: C-

Jevons: Probably about as ineffective as Rowan in the first half but he slightly improved in the second half. He linked up with midfield but as a result moved further away from the goal, leaving much for his striking partner to do.

Grade: C

SUBS

Jeffrey: The half time sub played quite well and it was a much better attacking performance with him on the pitch. He held the ball up better but unfortunately his link-up play wasn't as good as Rowan's.

Grade: C+

Neilson: Came on late in the game but his arrival didn't change the formation of the team. Not sure who was at fault for the second goal but it certainly came about where Neilson was supposed to be.

Best part of Town's performance: We again looked good going forward and were able to cause City problems at the back, more through pace than anything else. If our two strikers had strength then we might be treated to goals but despite a good attacking performance we never forced Nash into making any great saves.

Areas for improvement: Unfortunately this is aimed at the manager more than the players but bringing on Neilson for Coldicott with ten minutes to go and shoving Butterfield in midfield is not going to do anything special. Totally unnecessary, especially as Butterfield played centrally and Pouton remained wide right when it would have been a good idea to swap the two around.

Entertainment scale: It depends on how you look at it. For chances created it was not too bad, and the match certainly flowed end to end. Against City, Town weren't really exposed in any areas, perhaps apart from out wide, but the defence was good on the whole and the midfield didn't let the opposition dictate the run of play.

6, only because we lost.

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