|
|
|
The Story So Far
|
| West Brom | Town |
|---|
|
The West Midlands club have had a consistent season so far, as we approach the midway stage. Currently, the Baggies lie in 6th place, and have been in the top ten of the division for the bulk of the season. The only real blip came right at the start of the campaign when it took Albion three games to win a league match, seeing them well in the bottom half of the division. At that time of course, Town were riding high at the top of the division. How things can change! Since then of course, West Brom have a acquired a new striker to replace Lee Hughes, in the shape of former QPR marksman Danny Dichio, who together with Jason Roberts will be looking to fire the Baggies into a play off spot come the end of the year.
|
Town have now gone three games unbeaten under the stewardship of player manager Paul Groves, and although they have managed just three goals, they have only conceded one. This steady improvement will give the fans heart, for what has been a very shaky season. Of course we all know what a great start Town had, topping the table in September and beating Liverpool in the Worthington Cup, but since then it has gone pear shaped. Lennie Lawrence has gone and the emergence of fringe players like Chris Thompson, Ben Chapman and Simon Ford can be the only real bright spots of the season. Light could be at the end of the tunnel with John McDermott, Bradley Allen, Jonny Rowan and Paul Raven nearing full fitness, but there is no underestimating the task ahead for the Mariners
|
|
|
Recent Form
|
|
| Town | West Brom |
|---|
|
|
| W | Sunderland | (a) | 2-1 |
| W | Stockport | (h) | 4-0 |
| L | Gillingham | (a) | 1-2 |
| D | Man City | (a) | 0-0 |
| D | Sheff Wed | (h) | 1-1 |
|
|
|
Overall League Record
|
|
|
|
Top Scorer
|
|
| Town | West Brom |
|---|
|
|
|
|
Phil Jevons
Town's top scorer is former Everton striker Phil Jevons. Jevons scored two of Towns goals in the 3-1 win against Portsmouth recently and will be looking to add to his tally. Scorer of that wondergoal to beat Liverpool in the Worthington Cup earlier in the season
|
Scott Dobie
Dobie is West Brom's top marksman, scoring nine goals since his move from Carlisle in the summer. Virtually all of these goals were at the start of the season, and has gone almost three months without scoring for the Baggies. Much of this has been to do with the emergence of Jason Roberts and new boy Danny Dichio.
|
|
|
Town Team News
|
|
The Mariners' injury list seems to be getting smaller each week. Stuart Campbell and Paul Raven could be set for places on the bench.
Meanwhile, Stacy Coldicott should be fit enough to start despite having the flu for most of the week. Alan Neilson will start in the place of Menno Willems with Danny Butterfield reverting to a midfield position.
Elsewhere John McDermott, Bradley Allen, Jonny Rowan and Steve Livingstone are all still out.
|
|
West Brom Team News
|
|
Defender Tony Butler is suspended after he was sent off against his former club, Gillingham a few weeks ago.
Midfield player Igor Balis could play in place of Des Lyttle if he passes a fitness test, if not, he could still make the bench.
Elsewhere, boss Gary Megson has a fully fit squad to choose from with the exception of long term injury victim Michael Appleton.
|
|
Expected Line Ups
|
|
| Town | West Brom |
|---|
Danny Coyne
|
| Town's player of the year last season, and it looks like he could be again this season. Coyne has been in inspirational form and has been the subject of many Premiership scouting visits for some time now.
|
| Alan Neilson
|
| Hopefully will be back in the side after missing the last two games with a hamstring strain. Signed by Lennie Lawrence on a free in October last year from Premiership side Fulham. |
Simon Ford
 |
| The new player-boss has been another player in great form this season, and without him Town would have been lost with so few other centre halves on the books.
|
| Paul Groves |
| The new player-boss has been another player in great form this season, and without him Town would have been lost with so few other centre halves on the books. |
Tony Gallimore (c)
|
| The new skipper, in the absence of John McDermott, has a had a good season so far in a changeable back four. Naturally a left back, but has reveled in his position on the left side of a back three. |
Stuart Campbell
 |
| Showed his form in glimpses recently but needs to put in a really solid performance that he produced so often last season. | | Ben Chapman |
| Has been a revelation for Town this season after failing to break into the team for the past few seasons. Has played at centre back, left back, left midfield and now left wing back. Wherever he plays, he always gives 110%. |
Danny Butterfield
|
| Versatile midfielder who set up all three goals against Portsmouth a few weeks ago. Been the subject of criticism this season, but his versatility has been a major asset in such a small squad. |
Stacy Coldicott
|
| Expected to start against his former team despite having the flu this week. Tough tackling midfielder who cost Town just £100,000 in the summer of 1998.
|
| Chris Thompson
|
| Former Liverpool reserve striker who has been given a decent run in the side of late. Will be looking to get off the mark for the Mariners sooner rather than later. |
Phil Jevons
|
| Town's top scorer with 8 goals. Signed from Everton in the summer for £250,000 and will look to get at least into double figures this season. Only missed five games all season. |
|
Russell Hoult
|
| Former Derby County goalkeeper who was signed from first division rivals Portsmouth last season for a £400,000 fee. An excellent shot stopper who is well known throughout the lower leagues.
|
| Phil Gilchrist |
| Tough defender who was signed on deadline day last year by Gary Megson. Joined Martin O'Neil at Leicester from Oxford United before his move to the Hawthornes.
|
Lars Sigurdsson
 |
| Accomplished defender who has formed a strong backline with Darren Moore and Phil Gilchrist. Was signed by Hull City boss Brian Little from Stoke when he was West Brom manager. |
| Adam Chambers |
| Midfield player who was only on the fringes of the first team squad last season, but this season he has been a regular first team players and has caught the eye of many fans. |
| Igor Balis |
| Slovakian defensive midfield player signed from Slovan Bratislava for £150,000. |
| Des Lyttle
|
| Right wing back who gave an impressive performance at the Stadium of light last Saturday. Former Forest full back who also had a brief spell at Watford. |
Derek Mcinnes (c)
 |
| Midfielder signed from French club Toulouse in 2000 for £450,000. The former Rangers player missed much of last season through injury, and is now back to full fitness. |
Andy Johnson
|
| Skillful midfield player who scored the winning goal to send Sunderland out of the FA Cup last week. Formerly of Nottingham Forest. |
Neil Clement
|
| Left wing back whose set pieces and crosses are a real threat. Signed in the summer from Chelsea after a successful loan spell in the Midlands last season. |
| Jason Roberts |
| Strong forward who played for Bristol Rovers before his £2 million move to the Hawthorns. Has scored goals wherever he's been, and set up both goals last weekend to claim a 2-1 win over Sunderland. |
Danny Dichio
 |
| Tall striker who signed for the Baggie permanently in a £1 million move from Sunderland. He had a loan spell at the start of the season, but injury cut that short, and when he was fully fit, boss Gary Megson was quick to make him a permanent signing. |
|
| Subs | Subs |
|---|
| Michael Boulding |
| Stuart Campbell |
| Michael Jeffrey |
| Paul Raven |
| Steve Croudson (GK) |
|
| Scott Dobie |
| Bob Taylor |
| Ruel Fox |
| Igor Balis |
| Brian Jensen (GK) |
|
|
|
Last Time Out
|
|
The last time the two sides played each other was of course back in August when Town won 1-0 in a shock victory. The game was full of controversy, with Danny Coyne putting in a great display between the Town sticks. However some West Brom fans would argue he shouldn't have been on the pitch when he handled outside the area and received only a yellow card. While WBA missed a penalty, Town scored one the other end with Alan Pouton securing all three points.
:
Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Groves, Beherall, Pouton, Butterfield, Willems, Campbell, Rowan, Jevons.
Subs: Busscher, Jeffrey, Ford, Chapman, Ermes (GK).
Report
|
|
West Brom Head-to-Head
(74th on The Opposition Ladder).
|
|
Fishy Prediction
|
|
Town ought to be up for this match, especially with it being Paul Groves' former team. Town also have a reasonable record against WBA (which gives us the kiss of death!), but I think we'll nick it.
|
|
|
|
Directions
|
|
|
|
Admission Prices
|
|
|
This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!
