The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Is football a business or a sport?




SweeneyL Suspended
SweeneyL Suspended

Grimsby v Lincoln Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 19/02/2010 (Last updated: 14/03/2010)

THIS Lincolnshire derby may well decide the fate of our club for a long time to come. The title "must win" has been used a lot of late but could there be a match any more deserving of the title.

Home > 2009-2010 Season > Previews > Lincoln (h)


Who are they?

Their History

Our county rivals were established some 6 years after ourselves originally as an amateur set up and wouldn’t turn professional till 1891. The club initially had mostly cup successes: they won the much coveted Lincolnshire cup 3 years after their formation in the same season they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Glasgow Rangers in the last 16. A year after becoming professional the club joined ourselves in becoming one of the founder members of the Second Division where in 1901 they achieved their best ever league finish of 5th. The club dropped out of the league a couple of times once to be replaced by ourselves. They eventually managed to stabilise themselves in the lower leagues where their achievements managed to include

  • Division 3 (North) Champions 1931-32, 1947-48, 1951-52
  • Division 4 Champions 1975-76

    This Season.

    It must be nice for some Lincoln fans not have to worry that the season may be extended for another play-off defeat. Chris Sutton’s arrival in September ended the 2 year reign of Peter Jackson who had through all intent and purposes moved the club backwards. Before the former Huddersfield’s managers arrival The Imps were always fighting it out in the play-offs and though many moaned about Alexander’s kick and rush tactics they were effective in this league. Jackson’s pledge to play attractive and successful football failed beyond all doubt. Lincoln were amongst us favourites for the drop even before a ball was kicked confidence wasn’t high in the Cathedral City many dreading the idea of non-league football. Those who did had a point by the end of September Lincoln were staring relegation in the face the club had managed to collect just 9 points and even found themselves behind The Mariners who had a game in hand. Since Sutton’s arrival the club's fortunes may not have immediately turned but they had certainly improved. Two wins on the bounce against Aldershot and Macclesfield propelled the club to 15th and all looked rosy. There Sutton’s honeymoon period ended the club dropped dramatically a winless November in the league was only mildly improved on by wins in the FA Cup against non-league opposition. The Imps weren’t going to record another victory in the league till their very last game of 2009 where a 2-1 victory left the club 21st and 5 points clear of ourselves.

    For a brief moment the club were once again on the up. Sutton's team had been buoyed by new loan arrivals from Fulham and Villa alike and though victories are hardly coming thick and fast a few priceless 3 points over those around them meant The Imps were scrambling clear of the pack by the end of January. February has been an entirely different story, rumours of a disillusioned team under Sutton’s management have become prevalent and the club have only 1 victory in 6 the victory coming on Tuesday night against Accrington, where 2 goals in 7 minutes spared their blushes. Lincoln are currently 19th and now they’re 10 points clear of ourselves surely they can’t be dragged back into the battle, can they?

    Key Player…

    Gareth Evans. Currently on loan from Rangers not much is known about the 22 year old man from North Ayrshire but he is quickly settling in to life at Sincil Bank. Having just played 4 matches he has a score rate we would die for 1 every other game. The striker made his debut for the blue half of Glasgow against Inverness on 27th December 2006 and has yet to score for the club. He was sent out on loan last season to Patrick Thistle where 8 games didn’t produce a goal but came back with an impressive report from the club. His arrival at Lincoln has seen an upturn in results and his goals could well prove crucial to their final push to avoid the drop and more importantly could be devastating for our chances as well. Not to mention he has a bloody good looking missus at home so let’s not feel too bad is he fails to get on the score sheet on Saturday.

  • Recent Form

    TownLincoln
    DNotts Co(a)1-1
    DBradford(a)0-0
    LNotts Co(h)0-1
    DAldershot(a)1-1
    LRotherham(a)1-2
    Currently 23rd in League Two.
    WAccrington(h)2-1
    LRotherham(a)1-2
    DDarlington(a)1-1
    LChesterfield(a)1-2
    LHereford(h)0-2
    Currently 20th in League Two.

    Top Scorers

    TownLincoln
    Sweeney6
    Howe5

    Team News

    TownLincoln

  • Peter Sweeney is suspended after picking up yet another yellow card on Wednesday.

  • Speedy winger Paris Cowan-Hall (hamstring) is ruled out following a reserve game.

  • Lee Peacock (ankle) and Nathan Jarman (foot) have returned to training.

  • Just Adrian Forbes (leg) and Robbie Stockdale (hernia) on the treatment table.
  • Central defender Nathan Baker (ankle), midfielder Stefan Oakes (hamstring) and striker Paul Connor (hamstring) are all doubtful.
  • Squads

    TownLincoln
    1GKNick Colgan
    2DFRobbie Stockdale
    3DFJoe Widdowson
    4MFDean Sinclair (on loan from Charlton)
    5MFOliver Lancashire
    6MFPeter Sweeney
    7MFAdrian Forbes
    8FWNathan Jar man
    9FWAdam Proudlock
    10FWBarry Conlon
    13MFNick Hegarty
    14MFPeter Bore
    15DFMatthew Bird
    16DFPaul Linwood
    18FWChris Jones
    19MFMichael Leary
    20MFJammal Shahin
    21FWMichael Coulson (on loan from Barnsley)
    24DFJamie Devitt (on loan from Hull City)
    25DFRob Atkinson
    26FWJean-Louis Akpa Akpro
    28FWJosh Fuller
    29FWBradley Wood
    32MFMark Hudson
    33FWAshley Chambers (on loan from Leicester City)
    34FWParis Cowan-Hall (on loan from Portsmouth)
    35GKLeigh Overton
    36FWTommy Wright
    1 GK Robert Burch
    2 DF Paul Green
    5 DF Moses Swaibu
    6 DF Daniel Hone
    7 MF Stefan Oakes
    9 FW Paul Connor
    11 MF Scott Kerr (captain)
    13 DF Ian Pearce
    14 FW Lenell John-Lewis
    17 MF Samuel Clucas
    19 MF Shane Clarke
    20 GK Paul Musselwhite
    22 DF Adam Watts
    23 MF Clark Keltie
    24 FW Nathan Adams
    25 DF Cian Hughton
    26 FW Andy Hutchinson
    29 DF Kern Miller
    30 DF Luca Coleman-Carr
    31 MF Michael Gordon
    32 MF Lee Bennett
    33 DF Nathan Baker (on loan from Aston Villa)
    34 MF Chris Herd (on loan from Aston Villa)
    35 MF Brian Gilmour
    38 DF Joe Anderson
    39 MF Matthew Saunders (on loan from Fulham)
    43 FW Steven Lennon (on loan from Rangers)

    Head to Head

    Town have the lead historically and have only lost 1 out of 10 to the Imps.

    P107 W48 D29 L30 F200 A 149

    Head-to-Head (14th The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Lincoln 0 Grimsby 0 (Sat 21st Nov 2009)

    Town deserved to win the game, with penalty shouts their main complaint.

    Report

    Prediction

    The Fishy Prediction

    It means more than local pride this time around, this time it’s for survival and there can’t be any excuses anymore win at all costs.

    Grimsby 1-0 Lincoln

    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
    New board members interview 36Son of Cod01/11 00:48
    Swindon  Appoint Holloway88Abdul1901/11 00:29
    Trevor Whymark43Limerick Mariner01/11 00:26
    Saturday 6Theimperialcoroner31/10 22:44
    Wrexham 8HertsGTFC31/10 22:32
    "Beat the Clock"  Wealdstone19GY131/10 21:50
    Match Thread Man City79Ruuger31/10 21:24
    Home Form73diehardmariner31/10 14:17
    Chasing three records13Captain Sensible31/10 09:51
    Got a rare rare town shirt … 5Supersixty31/10 08:10