By theimps.tk
November 16 2009

Saturday's derby against Grimsby Town could easily go down as one of the most important matches in either club's history. The Mariners need to win to bring them back into the pack, a pack that contains a Lincoln side that could move further away from the drop zone with a much needed win.

Neither side have won for over a month and both now find themselves in the lowe reaches of the table. Grimsby currently occupy the second relegation place, sitting 23rd in the table and three places behind the Imps, although City are five points clear.

In theory, this is the biggest and most important derby match that the Imps have ever had. We've had local derbies in the Playoffs, but it wasn't a total disaster if we didn't win promotion, but a defeat here could spell a near end to either side's Football League status and given how a lot of former League clubs now struggle to win promotion back, it makes this game very important.

A win would be massive for either club, in theory Grimsby could, in theory, move out of the relegation zone, although it would take a turn around of 9 goals to overtake Torquay United, whereas the Imps could give themselves a breathing space of 8 points over the Mariners with victory. However, it won't be an easy task as the Imps haven't beaten Grimsby in 3 years, only scoring once from open play in that time.

Grimsby infact have an excellent decent record over the Imps since they entered the division. Although City will look fondly back on wins of 4-2, 5-0 and 2-0, those are the only victories the Imps have recorded against their coddy opponents, compared to a whopping seven for the Mariners. Those results include defeats of 3-0, 1-0 and 2-1 in the 2005/6 season, a 0-0 draw in the JP Trophy in 2006/7 that Grimsby went onto win on penalties, 2-1 and 1-0 in 2007/8 and last season's 5-1 thumping. City haven't even scored from open play at Blundell Park since that 4-2 game, only scoring from a penalty and a header from a free kick.

With both clubs looking relegation in the face at this stage of the season, a win is vital for bothy sides and anything less than three points for either side won't be good enough. With Darlington hitting a bit of form, neither side can bank on there only being one relegation spot to avoid, and more to the point, the Imps have a difficult run of games coming up after this.

It may be a bit early to be calling this a six pointer, but for the Imps it's a chance to get a lot of breathing space, and Grimsby can kill two birds with one stone, moving back into the pack and dragging City down towards them.

Is this Saturday the most important derby we've had

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 16/11/2009 12:23

theimps.tk
16/11/2009 12:23

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imp for life
16/11/2009 12:33

Its a massive game thats for sure .

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Kate Jackson
16/11/2009 12:37

I was aware that our record against Grimsby wasn't that good before writting the article, but even I was surprised that they are beating us 7-3 in terms of wins.

Good Luck, Mr Gorsky

http://twitter.com/#!/katejackson84
http://www.katejackson84.blogspot.com

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CheshireImp
16/11/2009 13:00

Every game is now important

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Aryan_imp
16/11/2009 16:28

No .... compared to some Imps/Cods fixtures of yesteryear, this will be a tame affair with two sets of players not fit to wear the shirts of their respective clubs!

0-0 written all over it in front of probably our lowest ever gate for such a fixture.

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Rob Peel
16/11/2009 16:53

Scott KERR has got to be recalled for this one - He is the one player in the current squad who gives 110% and love him or loathe him wears his heart on his sleeve

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mightyimp1
16/11/2009 17:59

its likely grimsby will have their new manager watching from the stands which might gee them up a bit more

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Helgy.
16/11/2009 18:24

Not a massive game not even all ticket for this one and that says it all.

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mightyimp1
16/11/2009 18:26

if it was at the other end of the table it might have been

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Helgy.
16/11/2009 18:46

Quote:

mightyimp1
if it was at the other end of the table it might have been

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Normanstanley
16/11/2009 19:03

I am not sure about recalling SK, I think he is possibly our worst ever captain.

In answer to the question - No.... 89' was good until that Judas Gilbert scored and half of Grimsby's home end entered the fray.

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StratfordImp
17/11/2009 13:29

No it isnt - even the play offs a few years back was bigger.......time for the players to stand up and be counted though!!

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kevin6
18/11/2009 13:06

IMHO this is our biggest game this season to date.

I would forecast a draw which would suit us more than Grimsby, but if we lose we are in for a full-on relegation battle. If we win, we get some space and time to allow recovery of some of our players.

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rottweiler
18/11/2009 21:38

After last season's total surrender at Grimsby we are really owed at least a win, a stuffing would be better, but no sign of miracles so far.

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MaineRoad_96
19/11/2009 19:14

Nope. A more pertinent question - is this derby going to be treated with the most apathy ever for a derby game?

Two sh1te sides played out in front of a 4,000 gate - all thoroughly depressing.

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