The Mariners host Bath City tomorrow, in the penultimate home game of the season.
Town have drawn 11 of their league matches at Blundell Park so far, and this has been a large factor as to why they are languishing in the middle of the table.
Wednesday night saw Grimsby produce yet another limp performance as they drew 1-1 with Rushden & Diamonds.
Bath City arrive in Cleethorpes to play their fourth away fixture in succession, the latest having been a 0-2 defeat at Mansfield only last night.
The Romans will be pleased with their mid table position in the BSB Premier, having been promoted last season from the Blue Square South, via the play-offs.
Vital Quotes:
Joint managers, Rob Scott and Paul Hurst went to Field Mill last night to watch Town’s next two opponents play each other in league action.
Scott told the Grimsby Evening Telegraph :
‘Bath haven’t got a huge squad and played last night so we have an extra day’s recovery.
‘They won’t be able to make big changes for tomorrow so I think if we can play with high energy we can get at them.
‘We went to watch them last night. Obviously, we lost there before Paul and I took the job. But, with all respect, Grimsby Town shouldn’t be losing at Bath on paper’.
On the squad available, his approach to tomorrow’s game, and looking towards next season, Scott added :
‘Darran has broken his foot so that’s his season done.
‘He went to make a clearance and kicked the bottom of their attacker’s foot. It was a painful one but we didn’t know until yesterday how bad.
‘It’s a blow for him and for us, it’s another injury, it never rains but it pours. On the plus side we have Steven Watt available and Rob Atkinson came on the other night.
‘Lee Ridley is in contention and it may give us an option to move Bradley Wood around and see how he does.
‘We have five games left and have started looking to what we want for next season in terms of getting players used to different systems.
‘We want to try players in different roles. With possibly a smaller squad next year, you need players who are adaptable. So we’ll continue to look at different things.
‘Rob Eagle may come back in. He was only taken out because he’s played a lot of football this season, possibly the most games he’s played in one season and, like Michael Coulson, was looking a little jaded.
‘Andi Thanoj did well when he came on so he may also get another chance. He did the things we asked of him.’
‘Of course we want to get that win but first and foremost we are looking to make judgements on players ahead of next season.
‘We have lots to think about. Not just the first-team, but from the Youth team upwards on the way we want to go forward.
‘It’s an ongoing process and to that end, we’ll keep assessing the team’.
Grimsby Town Team News:
Lee Ridley is fit and ready for a welcome return at left back. Stand in, Bradley Wood, is likely to be asked to play in another position as the managers continue their assessment of the playing squad.
Although Charles Ademeno has served his three match ban, he has injured his abductor muscle in training and is not likely to be available.
The unfortunate Darran Kempson will not figure for the remainder of the season after breaking the third metatarsal in his foot on wednesday. But S&H still have three recognised centre halves in Rob Atkinson, Steve Watt and Scott Garner.
The biggest surprise in the team selection last wednesday had been the inclusion of goalkeeping coach Steve Croudson ahead of Kenny Arthur. The coach is expected to retain his place between the sticks tomorrow.
Rob Eagle is likely to feature again, having been given a rest by Town’s joint bosses.
Player to watch: Alan Connell
A repeat of the overhead cracker that Alan scored against Kidderminster would be good to see.
Bath City Team News:
Bath’s Luke Ruddick and Lewis Hogg are unlikely to return to the team before the end of the season, but both Danny Webb and Adie Harris have recently returned to the squad.
Skipper, Gethin Jones, returned from a dead leg at Mansfield, and ought to keep his place, as should winger Hector Mackie.
Full back Jim Rollo and midfielder Leigh Henry are expected to be on the bench for the Romans.
Player to watch: Hector Mackie
Grimsby are hoping that there will be no repeat of the late winner that Leigh scored when the teams met at Twerton Park.
Match Facts & Stats
The reverse league match this season :
Sat 19 March, Twerton Park, Attn 1,808
Bath City 2 (Watkins 32, Mackie 85)
Grimsby Town 2 (Coulson 60)
Before this season, the two clubs had only ever met twice.
On both occasions, they were FA Cup ties and they were both both played at Blundell Park.
Bath fans will remember their famous victory over the Mariners last year, when they were in the Blue Square South, and Grimsby were in League Two !
Sat, 7 Nov ’09 Town 0 – Bath 2
Sat, 6 Dec ’52 Town 1 – Bath 0
Next Fixtures:
Tues, 19 April (a) Mansfield – 7.45pm
** All Ticket for Town fans **
Sat, 23 April (a) Barrow – 3pm
