Managerial Contenders

By: Tony Hamilton
Date: 15/02/2004

WITH Paul Groves being sacked last Monday due to the poor results since he took the Blundell Park reins 18 months ago, the Fishy looks at what we think are the top six contenders for the job, listing the pros and cons of each shortlist member.

The GTFC board are to meet on Tuesday after the Bristol City game to consider the applications for so for the post

Here are the 6 names The Fishy have picked:-

Graham Rodger (Caretaker boss) Rodger could be a contender for the job if his spell as caretaker manager goes well, the only draw-back with him is he could be blamed along with Groves with putting us where we are. But by beating Brighton in our last game it proved that if we carry on in this way we could avoid relegation this season. Has spent 12 years at GTFC doing every job from community officer to now taking care of the first team.

Nigel Clough (Burton Albion) Nigel is new to the managerial game, and is currently manager at Burton Albion who are mid-table in the Nationwide Conference. As Clough has no other managerial experience it would be a gamble to give the job to him, but to his advantage if any of his father's managerial skill rubs off on him he could be an asset to Grimsby Town in the future. Clough has ex-loanee Garry Crosby as his assistant at Eton Park.

Steve Cotterill (ex-Cheltenham, Stoke and Sunderland) Cotterill is out of a job since being sacked along with Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland. He has a proven track record with taking Cheltenham from the Conference to a mid-table 3rd division side on a tight budget, but walked out on them to take the Stoke job and then did the same thing to Stoke to go to the Stadium of Light. Has recently appeared on Sky as a match summariser.

Brian Horton (ex-Hull City, Oxford, Man City, Huddersfield, Brighton and Port Vale) Horton’s just been sacked in the last few days by Port Vale, even though they are 1 point off the 2nd Division play offs and had to work with the restraints of administration for the last 18 months. They showed us a thing or two by beating us 5-1 when the two teams met earlier this season at Vale Park. Another manager with experience of working within financial limits.

Keith Alexander (ex-Northwich Victoria, Lincoln [2 spells]) "Dusky" is in his second spell at Lincoln and is still held in high regard by the Mariners fans after his playing career. But for his recent illness Alexander could have been poached by Peterborough but is now out of contract at the end of the season. Could be a viable target for Grimsby Town, and would probably benefit from a big wage rise by coming to Blundell Park.

Alan Buckley (ex-Walsall, Grimsby Town [2 spells], West Brom, Lincoln, and Rochdale. Well his record speaks for itself when you look at his time at Blundell Park: two Wembley finals and no relegations in both spells at Grimsby Town, but recent media reports have stated that he’s not among the applicants for the vacant manager’s job, but could be a surprise appointment if the board approach him and he is willing to take the job for the third time of asking.

Others Other known applicants for the job include former Mariner Kevin Drinkell (left), who has managerial experience with Montrose and ex-Oldham manager Mick Wadsworth.

So it will be interesting to see who is appointed at Blundell Park because of the situation we are in the League and how the finances stand at this moment in time.

League Table

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