The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

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Who will go down?







Bore: Recall?
Bore: Recall?

Walsall Preview

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 08/09/2006

GRIMSBY need to return to winning ways quickly to ease the pressure on Town boss Graham Rodger after a poor start to the season. Their next task is a tough one, though, against in-form Walsall at Blundell Park.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Walsall (h)


The Opposition

Overview
Richard Money has transformed Walsall from the relegated side that he inherited from a succession of failed managers, into what look like genuine promotion contenders. Unbeaten in their opening six league fixtures, and conquerors of Plymouth in the Carling Cup, Walsall are on a roll.

Their Squad
Goalkeeper Clayton Ince joined the club in the summer from Coventry, whom he left Crewe to join but never got a look in with the Sky Blues. Central defenders Anthony Gerrard.and Ian Roper have formed a solid partnership at the back. Striker Hector Sam (left) joined the club in the summer from Port Vale, and his strike partner Martin Butler also came from a higher division, in the shape of Rotherham. Former Gull Tony Bedeau completes a trio of impressive forwards available to Walsall, and ex-Charlton veteran midfielder Mark Kinsella adds experience to the Saddlers' squad.

Key Player
Ian Roper (left). They say that all good teams build from the back and if that is to be the case at Walsall, they will need Roper to perform. A product of the clubs youth system, Roper returned in November last season but despite some impressive outings could not halt the Saddlers slide into League Two. If he can cope with the physical side of the basement division, Walsall will have a great foundation to build upon.

Recent Form

TownWalsall
DMacclesfield(h)1-1
LBury(a)0-3
LCrewe(h)0-3 (CC)
DMansfield(h)1-1
LBristol R(a)0-1
Currently 21st in League Two.
DBarnet(a)1-1
WDarlington(h)1-0
WPlymouth(a)1-0
DLincoln(a)2-2
WHartlepool(h)2-0
Currently 4th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownWalsall
Peter Bore3
Butler3
Keates3

Team News

TownWalsall

  • Graham Rodger is still hoping to sign a loan striker on Friday, but either Gary Jones or young Andy Taylor may start alongside Isaiah Rankin if he fails to do so.

  • John McDermott is again likely to sit this one out after only just recovering from an injury, with Gary Croft continuing as a ready made replacement.

  • Michael Reddy and Gary Cohen are both long-term injuries.

  • Peter Bore was dropped last week by Graham Rodger but could well be recalled as Rodger looks to bring the young midfielder back from a rest.

  • New signing Ricky Ravenhill is available for selection now his suspension period is over, and is likely to figure in the 16.
  • Mark Kinsella and Tony Bedeau both pressed their claims for a first-team call-up in a midweek reserve game against Sheffield Wednesday, with Bedeau scoring .

  • Ian Roper is back in training after collecting a knee injury at Barnet last weekend which forced him to go off at half time, but is expected to be available.
  • Probable Teams

    TownWalsall
    1Phil Barnes
    20Gary Croft
    3Tom Newey
    17Martin McIntosh
    5Nick Fenton
    18Peter Bore
    11Peter Beagrie
    16Danny Boshell
    8Paul Bolland
    19Gary Jones
    7Isaiah Rankin>
    1Clayton Ince
    5Chris Westwood
    3Daniel Fox
    4Anthony Gerrard
    6Ian Roper
    2Craig Pead
    8Michael Dobson
    12Dean Keates
    15Kris Taylor
    9Martin Butler
    10Hector Sam

    Subs

    TownWalsall
    2John McDermott
    6Justin Whittle
    10Ciaran Toner
    TBARicky Ravenhill
    26Andy Taylor
    18Carlos Fangueiro
    20Ishmel Demontagnac
    14Mark Wright
    16Mark Kinsella
    11Tony Bedeau

    Head to Head

    Grimsby usually beat Walsall at home, and nearly always lose away. Overall the Saddlers just have the edge, and have avoided defeat in the last six games against the Mariners,

    P 60 W 21 D 10 L 29 F 84 A 89

    Walsall Head-to-Head (72nd on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    It was the day Dave Boylen tried to gee up the Pontoon on Easter Monday 2003. Town needed to win to have any hope of avoiding relegation from what is now the Championship. They didn't, losing 1-0, and Town were relegated, eventually finishing bottom of the league.

    Grimsby Team: Coyne, McDermott, Chettle, Santos, Gallimore, Campbell (Cooke, 76 ), Groves, Keane, Hughes (Mansaram, 63 ), Livingstone, Boulding (Thompson, 88) Subs (not used): Bolder,Parker

    Walsall Team: Walker, Roper, Carbon, Barras, Wrack, Samways, Robinson, Lawrence (O'Connor, 45 ), Aranalde, Leitao (Matias, 75 ), Junior (Corica, 88)
    Subs: (not used) Ward,Bazeley

    Attendance: 4,618  Report

    Prediction

    The pressure will be on the players and manager to secure three points and rise up the table. But Walsall will also be up for the game, and the result could well be a stalemate.

    A 1-1 draw

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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