The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

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Wimbledon Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 21/03/2002

TOWN enter their home game with mid table Wimbledon on the back of a fantastic 1-0 win at second place Wolves last weekend. Three points again on Saturday would go a long way to ensuring Grimsby's First Division status.

Home > 2001-2002 Season > Previews > Wimbledon (h)


The Bottom Line

Just six weeks ago the Mariners were in deep trouble at the foot of the first division. With just 28 games from their 32 games after they had lost away at Watford and six points away from any team at all, most Town fans had resigned themselves to relegation. But not Paul Groves. Since then Town have hauled in fourteen points and have crawled their way out of the relegation zone for the first time in 2002.

Now there is that little bit more belief and buzz about Blundell Park, but as every fan knows Town need to consolidate their good form with a win on Saturday. On paper, against a team who are floating in mid table, this seems a winnable fixture, but there again everyone said that against the likes of Gillingham and Walsall this season and on both occasions Town failed to win.

Recent Form

 

TownWimbledon
WWolves(a)1-0
DWalsall(h)2-2
LGillingham(a)1-2
WPalace(h)5-2
WStockport(h)3-1
WStockport(h)3-1
WPortsmouth(a)2-1
DForest(a)0-0
WSheff Wed(a)2-1
LWBA(h)0-1

Overall League Record

 

TownWimbledon
PWDLFA
401012183961
PWDLFA
391513115647

Dangerman

 

TownWimbledon

Alan Pouton

Aggressive and robust midfield player who is more than capable of causing opposing defences problems with his fast running, and of course the infamous "Pouton stepover". Signed by Alan Buckley for a bargain £160,000 in 1999 from York City, Pouton has become a firm fans favourite at Blundell Park. Has made 32 starts this season from midfield.

Neil Shipperley

Former Chelsea, Watford, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley striker who has certainly been well travelled throughout his career. Still only 27, Shipperley has got a wealth of talent and goals in this league. Moved to Selhurst Park in the summer after a two year spell at Barnsley. Strong in the air and effective with his back to goal, Shipperley will no doubt be a threat to the Mariners defence on Saturday.

Vital Statistics

 

TownWimbledon

Biggest home win: 5-2 (Crystal Palace)

Biggest away win: 1-0 (West Brom, Coventry)

Heaviest home defeat: 0-3 (Watford)

Heaviest away defeat: 0-5 (Crystal Palace)

Top goalscorer: Phil Jevons (8 goals)

Biggest home win: 3-1 (Birmingham, Gillingham, Stockport)

Biggest away win: 4-0 (Crewe, Man City)

Heaviest home defeat: 0-1 (Norwich, Coventry, Wolves, West Brom)

Heaviest away defeat: 0-4 (Crystal Palace)

Top goalscorer: David Connolly (17 goals)

Town Team News

  • David Smith is a definite non starter for the Mariners. The former WBA left back went off injured after only four minutes against Gillingham two weeks ago, and so will probably not feature for Town again this season.
  • Paul Raven has missed training this week so will also not feature. Good news for the Mariners is that Steve Livingstone is back in training, but will not be match fit for a few weeks yet.
  • There is a doubt surrounding Michael Boulding who has been ill all week with sinusitis. If he misses out, either Jon Rowan or Phil Jevons will deputise.
  • Stacy Coldicott is expected to retain his place in the starting line up, despite the impressive form of Wayne Burnett

  • Wimbledon Team News

  • Defender Mark Williams will probably miss out after suffering yet another injury setback.
  • Top scorer David Connolly starts his four match ban for violent conduct and will sit out. This means a start for Neil Shipperley who has recently been left on the bench.
  • Swedish international Hakan Mild will also miss the game through injury

  • Expected Line Ups

    TownWimbledon
    Danny Coyne
    John Mcdermott (C)
    Tony Gallimore
    Andy Todd
    Paul Groves
    Stuart Campbell
    Danny Butterfield
    Stacy Coldicott
    Alan Pouton
    Bradley Allen
    Michael Boulding
    Kelvin Davis
    Trond Anderson
    Kenny Cunningham
    Chris Willmott
    Darren Holloway
    Peter Hawkins
    Neil Ardley
    Damien Francis
    Kevin Cooper
    Patrick Agyemang
    Neil Shipperley
    Substitutes Substitutes
    Wayne Burnett
    Phil Jevons
    Steve Croudson (GK)
    Jonny Rowan
    Simon Ford
    Joel Macanuff
    Lionel Morgan
    Jermaine Darlington
    Ian Feuer
    Par Karlsson

    Last Time Out

    The last time the Mariner met the Wombles was back in November when Town suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park. After taking the lead, the Dons were pegged back to 1-1 when Stuart Campbell equalised. However, a late goal from Jamie MacDuff gave all three points to Wimbledon.

    Grimsby: Coyne, Coldicott, Gallimore, Groves, Broomes, Pouton, Campbell, Willems, Butterfield, Allen, Rowan.
    Subs: Beharall, Boulding, Chapman, Bolder, Ermes.  Report

    Wimbledon Head-to-Head (33rd on The Opposition Ladder).

    Fishy Prediction

    Town need to win their home games to stay up this season. This being another game at Blundell Park, Town cannot afford to loose. From now until the end of the season, Town and all their fans will be hoping that they do not get sucked back into the relegation zone. A win on Saturday will assure this. Another 1-0 will do us nicely.

    Prediction: 1-0 to Grimsby. Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park.

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.



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