Stockport Preview

By: Richard Lord
Date: 01/09/2005

GRIMSBY Town will be looking to make it four wins on the trot when they entertain Stockport County on Friday night. Russell Slade is set to stick with the same formation that's seen the Mariners move up the League Two table.

Since being forced to adopt a more customary 4-4-2 formation because of injuries, Town have looked a more balanced side for it. With a solid defence and an assured goalkeeper, the confidence has spread right through the team and now they have a chance to build on their victory over Rushden & Diamonds on Monday and show some good home form.

The Opposition

Overview Stockport have fallen on hard times - a situation all too familiar with Mariners' fans. Now battling away in League Two the Hatters will be hoping for a quick escape but they accept that it won't be easy. After selling most of their 'better' players last season in order to reduce the wage bill, County are now relying on the younger and inexperienced players within the team. Boss Chris Turner (left) holds fond memories of this division after relative success with Hartlepool. However, his time at the helm of Stockport hasn't been easy and, after being appointed in December 2004, he has only managed three victories in his 31 games in charge. Their Squad Although County are financially thin on the ground, they have a sizeable squad to work from. Midfielder Harpal Singh has been at Leeds since 2000 but after several loan stints at Bradford and Bury he signed for the Hatters this summer. Matthew Hamshaw has experience with Sheffield Wednesday from their time in League One and defender Danny Griffin has 29 caps for Northern Ireland. Striker Tes Bramble has scored goals for Southend whilst Turner has reunited himself with Jermaine Easter (left) - a player he had at Hartlepool and who has also scored goals for Boston and Cambridge.

Recent Form

  Town Stockport W Rushden (h) 2-0 W Barnet (a) 1-0 W Derby (LC) (a) 1-0 L Darlington (h) 0-1 W Bristol R (a) 2-1 Currently 6th in League Two. D Peterborough (h) 1-1 D Oxford (a) 1-1 L Sheff Wed (LC) (h) 2-4 D Notts Co (h) 1-1 D Boston (a) 2-2 Currently 19th in League Two.

Top Scorers

  Town Stockport Crane 1 Gritton 1 Rob Jones 1 Gary Jones 1 McDermott 1 Kamudimba 1 Andrew 1 Jermaine Easter 3 Danny Boshell 1 Tes Bramble 1 Rob Clare 1

Team News

  Town Stockport Ciaran Toner and Gary Cohen look likely to miss out as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. If Slade sticks to the same formation that's seen his side win three on the trot he may therefore decide to stick to the same team. However, he has the option of drafting in Paul Bolland now that the midfielder has served his one-match ban, with Gary Croft possibly making way. Simon Ramsden was rested on Monday and could come in to replace Justin Whittle, but it looks as if Rambo will be on the bench. Tes Bramble could come back into the Stockport side, which would mean Adam Le Fondre dropping to the bench. Tony Vaughan looks as though he'll keep his place in the side after arriving on loan from Barnsley. However, manager Chris Turner has options in goal. New signing Carl Ikeme has joined on a 6-month loan deal from Wolves and could be used immediately, but also Matt Duke could start. If so, it'll be the Hull 'keeper's last game before his loan terminates. James Spencer - the 'keeper who started the season with County - is also an option for Turner.

Probable Teams

  Town Stockport 1 Steve Mildenhall 2 John McDermott 3 Tom Newey 4 Rob Jones 6 Justin Whittle 15 Calvin Andrew 7 JPK Kalala 8 Paul Bolland 11 Andy Parkinson 19 Gary Jones 9 Michael Reddy 21 Matt Duke 2 Rob Clare 3 Mark Robinson 28 Tony Vaughan 8 Keith Briggs 7 Matthew Hamshaw 11 Harpal Singh 19 Danny Boshell 24 Michael Wolski 10 Jermaine Easter 9 Tes Bramble

Subs

  Town Stockport 4 Simon Ramsden 20 Gary Croft 17 Glen Downey 14 Terry Barwick 10 Martin Gritton 1 James Spencer 6 Ashley Williams 4 Damien Allen 23 Michael Malcolm 12 Adam Le Fondre

Head to Head

Grimsby hold the advantage over Stockport in the 63 matches the two teams have met. County head to Blundell Park having won just one on of their last 11 visits. The Mariners' overall record reads: 28 wins, 19 defeats and 16 draws. The first fixture between the two sides ended in a 5-1 victory to the Mariners and it took County seven attempts before they registered their first win over Town. P 63 W 28 D 16 L 19 F 100 A 76 Stockport Head-to-Head (14th on The Opposition Ladder)

Prediction

Having not recorded one correct prediction so far this season, I doubt anyone should take any notice of what I think. However, that's not enough to put me off entirely and I reckon Town will be victorious. 3-2 to the Mariners! Recent Predictions Game Prediction Score Points Barnet 2-2 1-0 0 Derby 0-3 1-0 0 Darlington 2-0 0-1 0 Bristol R 0-2 2-1 0 Oxford 2-1 1-1 0 Reader's POMs

Directions

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Admission Prices

Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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