Positive John Strikes Back!

By: Jake Olley
Date: 17/12/2007

FOLLOWING two wins on the trot against fellow strugglers Manfield Town and Brentford Grimsby Town chairman John Fenty described the Mariners' form as 'promotion material' in Saturday's Mariner Matchday Magazine. Read on for the full column…

It is not often that I talk about individual games, but I think the Brentford game is worthy of exception following some disappointing performances of late where players' commitments have been brought into question.

For some time now, it appears that the only luck Grimsby Town has had is bad luck. However, at Brentford it seemed that lady luck was shining on us and we ground out a fantastic win.

The first half started, as you would expect, the home side came at us with desperate conviction coupled with decision after decision going against us where the referee appeared to have a one-way arm. Credit to an obviously together Town side, the players stood firm and the teams went in level at the interval.

Interestingly after half time the referee's one-way arm seemed to be favouring Grimsby Town, then just before the hour the North-Jones partnership resulted in Gary Jones hitting the back of the net with a piece of magic.

In all fairness, the home side stoked the fire putting Town under a fair amount of pressure, but a rugged defensive performance from the Mariners kept the heat under control.

Phil Barnes made a magnificent save when the ball hit the post and bounced back onto the left side of his face and then out for a corner. Phil told me after the game that if the ball had hit the right side of his face all the team's hard work would not have been rewarded with three points, as he would have been picking the ball up out of the net. (The Lady was looking down on us)

The away fans were in great form on Saturday and there was rapturous support for the elated players as they came over to the fans. It was great for the players to see how many were there and gratifying to hear them in full voice.

I went into the dressing room afterwards and the scenes were jubilant, reaffirming to me just how much the players care about the club. The players had played their hearts out for their manager and club. It was a real team bonding performance and result.

I hope that we can get a few more of those sorts of wins, which will raise confidence, and then we may soon see a return of the fluid football of eight-to-ten weeks ago.

Just a little thought worth considering. If the form from the last six games were to translated into the context of the football League it would look as follows:

Carlisle FACup Win 3 points

Barnet FL Win 3 points

Huddersfield FA Cup Loss 0 points

Darlington FL Loss 0 points

Brentford FL Win 3 points

Mansfield FLWin 3 Points

12 points achieved, divided by 6 games equals 2 points times by 46 games gives you 92 points. This is promotion form which might surprise some. If we can continue that form for the remainder of the season we can move up the table from here on in with a brighter future.

Support coupled with gritty performances and results breed confidence throughout the entire football club. The next four or five games are vital in the context of our season and I am sure you will join me in wishing the players the best of luck going forward because it can be as simple as that.

Please keep up your tremendous support throughout the Christmas period and for the rest of the season.

TheFishy.co.uk Perspective: It's good to see the chairman in such buoyant mood following the recent run in. Yes, the Mariners have picked up two wins in two but the facts do not lie. After twenty games we currently have twenty points. Hardly promotion material!

If Mr. Fenty was to judge it on averages, like he did above, the facts state that the Mariners would achieve 46 points - the same total relegated Boston United attained last year.

Mr. Fenty means well, and following the past two games things do look up. However, to describe wins against poor sides, and this is not taking anything away from the lads, such as Barnet, Brentford and Mansfield (and let's face it they truly were shocking) as promotion winning material is truly laughable. Admittedly - if the Mariners win every game 1-0 until May we'll go up. However, to do that you have to play to a certain standard - something, that despite a valiant performance, wasn't reached on Saturday - or even at Brentford!

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