Buckley Tactics

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 21/08/2000

Alan Buckley confirmed today that his plan at the Portsmouth game was to stifle Portsmouth by playing 5 across the middle and although this inhibited the Mariners from playing their usual passing game it served its purpose and Grimsby came away with a point.

"We didn't come here to make friends" he said, "We came for points" (or words to that effect.)

David Smith, who scored the equaliser, said " Donovan delivered a 'quality cross' which I decided to hit first time and it buried itself in the net"

According to some of the fans that went to Portsmouth it was not a pretty game but they were delighted to come home with a point.

Praise too for Alan Buckley. He changed the tactics to suit the game and the opposition something for which he has been criticised for not doing. We cannot have it both ways. If the need arises Buckley must depart from his usual tactical plan and field a lineup that is intended to gain us points even at the expense of the usual good football that Grimsby play.

This is a critical season for the Mariners and surely fans will be more pleased in taking the points than the pretty football we have been playing without result.

Saturday was a good result for Town. We look forward to many more!!

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