The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Is football a business or a sport?




Meadow Lane
Meadow Lane

Notts County v Grimsby Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 01/02/2008

ARE we playing football or are we like using the force? That’s the question on every Town fans lips well mine at least, can the run continue only 90 minutes in Nottingham will give us the answer.

Home > 2007-2008 Season > Previews > Notts Co (a)


The Opposition

Overview

The Magpies have been under a regime change since Steve Thompson left early this season and in stepped Ian McParland after filling in during a brief spell across the Trent at Forest for a whole 13 games in which he won 8. After beating Histon in the first round of the FA Cup County have been on a downward spiral winning only 2 in 14 games including a second round defeat to the new darlings of the cup Havant and Waterlooville. Now 18th and 6 points of the drop zone County fans are worryingly looking over their shoulders praying for mid table obscurity. McParland has his work cut out but with a club of such history facilities and attendances surely County will be too big to go down?

The Team
County have bolstered their squad since the first meeting of the season. Guy Branston has signed from Peterborough while on loan McParland has added Ali Gibbs from Hartlepool and Felix Bastians (left) from across the bridge. County can also count one of the strongest attacking line ups in the league with Lee and Parkinson on form it’s an impressive but bullish. The strong and aggressive tactics had Town on the ropes at Meadow Lane last season with a two nil defeat for The Mariners. County's defence at the start of the season was a lot more experienced but Paul Mayo has been loaned out and ex-Mariner Mike Edwards very rarely gets a run out now a days. Jason Lee has yet to even get on the score sheet in any competition all season so County now rely on ex Imp Richard Butcher who has already got 9 this season.

Key Player
Richard Butcher's 9 league goals have been essential to keep County out of the relegation places. The youngster has become well travelled in the East Midlands playing for Lincoln, Northampton, County and Oldham (well there is always one). His last goal was last Saturday against our Johnstone Paint Trophy final opponents Morecambe the goal was essential in adding an extra point to the Magpies campaign and clearing up a stint where Butcher hadn’t scored in 450 minutes of football.

Recent Form

TownNotts Co
WBury(h)1-0
DShrewsbury(h)1-1
DDagenham(a)0-0
WWrexham(h)1-0
WStockport (JPT)(a)2-1
Currently 12th in League Two.
DBrentford(a)2-0
DMorecambe(a)2-2
LChester(h)2-1
LBradford(a)0-3
LStockport(h)0-2
Currently 18th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownNotts Co
Danny North7
Butcher9

Team News

TownNotts Co

  • Paul Bolland is still doubtful and Danny Boshell is likely to continue in midfield.

  • Ciaran Toner and Martin Butler are both missing through long-term injuries.

  • Isaiah Rankin has left Grimsby
  • Team news to follow.
  • Probable Teams

    TownNotts Co
    G1Barnes
    D6Fenton
    D24Atkinson
    D3Newey
    M14Hird
    M2Clarke
    M11Boshell
    M4Hunt
    M17Hegarty
    F9North
    F19Jones
    G1Pilkington
    D5Tann
    D4Edwards
    D18Hunt
    D2Canoville
    M26Strachan
    M24Gibb
    M12Silk
    M27Bastians
    F9Lee
    F23Butcher

    Subs

    TownNotts Co
    13Montgomery
    15Whittle
    18Bore
    7Till
    20Taylor
    3McCann
    30Weston
    10Dufield
    21Weir-Daley
    7Smith

    Head to Head

    Honours are almost even between the two sides over the years with Grimsby currently leading by a short head.

    P 73 W 31 D 17 L25 F 102 A 105

    Notts Co Head-to-Head (33rd on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Grimsby 1 Notts Co 1 (Sat 11th August 2007)

    The opening day of the season saw Grimsby race into a 1-0 lead only for County to come into the game and level after the break.

    Report

    Prediction

    Notts County 1-1 Grimsby Town

    Reader's POMs

    Add To Facebook


    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!


    Related Stories


    Forum Latest
    Thread TitlePostsLatest Post
    JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 88chaos3325/11 19:40
    Just Back220gtfc_chris25/11 18:49
    Comparison end of 2019 and 202415Northbank Mariner25/11 18:18
    Swindon  Appoint Holloway168BobbyCummingsTackle25/11 12:03
    Football Twit of the Week 🎖5promotion plaice25/11 09:55
    TV Games/Upcoming Fixtures3SiteBot25/11 03:30
    Racist Scum Bag 18mariner tommy24/11 22:38