Run Run Run

By: Dave Boylen
Date: 22/02/2007

WHAT a pity that the Mariners could not keep Martin Paterson till the end of the season. I am sure the fault does not lie with Grimsby, it has got to be in Stoke`s corner.

Both clubs are reluctant to make a official statement of who was at fault regarding the administration side of the business, but here is food for thought: was Paterson becoming a embarrassment to Stoke with his obvious success at Grimsby; could Stoke`s supporters be saying why is there not a place for him at our place, the lad has certainly got ability?

I was at the game against Wrexham the other night and Paterson, once Gary Jones had come on to put a bit of physical presence up front alongside him, took off once more, causing all kinds of problems to the Wrexham back line, and he ran his heart out. His never-say-die spirit, chasing every ball has been a breath of fresh air.

Not like your average loan player who seems to give the impression that they really could not be bothered to be at Grimsby. How many times have we seen that over the last few years at Blundell Park? I was delighted to see the Mariners' fans give Paterson such a huge send-off at the end of the game, and you never know he could one day end up back at the club in the not too distance future. The result the other night was a great step for Town to stay in the League and the manner of it also was quite dramatic indeed.

To get the winner with almost the last kick of the game was just the excitement we could have done without. This season has certainly been a roller coaster indeed, and with twelve games left and also winning the last four games the Town fans are chasing the play-offs again.

Hang on a minute let's just stay up and concentrate getting a good side together that really can get automatic promotion next season without going to a play-off situation again. I still have not forgotten going all the way to Cardiff for nothing, for what was for me was one of the worst performances that I have seen Town play in.

It will be quite interesting to see who manager Alan Buckley retains at the end of the season, and also who he can pick up in the market in the summer. I have got the utmost confidence in Alan Buckley's ability to attract players to Blundell Park, look at Paterson for instance. I still think that he will come back to this club, I don't think it is a lost cause, compare him with Billy Sharpe at Scunthorpe, it did him no harm to try his luck at a lower level of football.

The name of the game is to be playing every week in a first team environment. That is the key to young lads like Billy Sharpe of Scunthorpe United and Martin Paterson, who besides just nearing the age of early maturity have got a lot of boundless energy to use up.

Playing in the reserves is not the answer, especially for Paterson after all the praise he has had at Grimsby. Can you imagine what a let down it will be at a brand new stadium like Stoke's, and only about sixty odd supporters turn up to watch you play, heartbreaking indeed.

Still to the big game against my home town club of Macclesfield. By the time you read this Manager Alan Buckley may have the Manager of the Month award with his run of four wins in a row. Paul Ince`s team have struggled lately after climbing up the league when he first came in stylish fashion.

In fact Ince was recently tipped to get the Coventry City job just on the back of his minor success at Macclesfield, but it was probably too early in his managerial career. Can we carry this run on, that is the question? Another win would be fine but I feel that this game will not be easy by any way shape or form.

I still think that there is a lot more to get out of Peter Bore. He can be frustrating at times, not in the game a great deal at important periods of the match, but on the plus side he is still a young lad with time on his side.

Danny North is now breaking into a regular spot in the first team squad and at least we the supporters can see young Grimsby lads who care about the club now seem to be getting the chance to shine. Certainly there is never a dull moment at Town, it is always interesting indeed at Blundell Park!

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