By theimps.tk
July 23 2009

Grimsby Town were almost relegated last season, only surviving on the final day, but now the Mariners can finally start to push on and I feel that they will finally stop the rot and actually finish higher than the previous season for once. Grimsby Town have gradually become a club generally on the slide. Since returning to the division they have had several poor seasons, and the only "successful" season was the year they made the Playoffs in 2005/6 when after defeating City in the semi-finals, they lost to Cheltenham Town in the Final, becoming the only side (to date) to fail to win promotion after beating Lincoln at some point in the Playoffs. Ironically, Grimsby's first game of the new season is against Cheltenham.

Every year since and they've finished in a lower position than the year before, going from 15^th to 16^th and last season's 22^nd. Only 9 League wins last year suggests why they struggled and they looked firm favourite for relegation when they were eventually caught and overtaken by Bournemouth, a quick victory the following weekend by a scoreline we'd rather forget at Lincoln saw them climb back out of the drop zone and despite not immediately capitalising, failing to win for another three games. However, their form did eventually turn around and they survived on the final day.

Grimsby actually have a fairly decent squad. City will know all about strikers Atkinson and Proudlock, strikers who regularly score against City, Akpro looked tricky lack season and Adrian Forbes shouldbe a decent addition. Despite massive and consistent interest from Peterborough, they have managed to keep Ryan Bennett for now. Last season's Player of the Season signed a new four year contract a few weeks ago.

However, let's not also forget that this is the same Grimsby Town side that struggled for the vast majority of the season, as well as the same manager. Mike Newell took over on October 6^th but didn't record his first win until November 15^th and they only won three more times before the game against City on March 7^th. That is quite a worrying stat and could be the reason why Grimsby might not challenge for the top half of the table.

I believe they have a very decent squad and Mike Newell might be able to eventually start taking Grimsby places, but I can't see that being this season. Granted, I'm pretty convinced they'll finish considerably higher than they did this season, well, I say considerably, five places higher but that's progress at least and maybe the Mariners can start challenging for promotion in a few years, but this season will all be about consolidation after last season's struggle.

17th : It's getting less fishy at Grimsby

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 23/07/2009 23:48

theimps.tk
23/07/2009 23:48

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