The Curse Of The Imps

By: Ben Bowers
Date: 21/02/2010

FROM the moment I found out the referee was called M. Heywood, I knew that this might not be our day. However I entered the match with a sense of optimism.

Call me a moaner but I think the standard of refereeing has dropped in the last couple of years, from the Premiership right down to grassroots level, but it seems to have happened ever since that FA started that disastrous Respect campaign about two years ago. I am not talking just about Grimsby but even at teenager level.

However the Grimsby players have little right to be annoyed with the referee for not giving THAT penalty. We had good enough chances to win the match and while Peacock took his second goal sublimely, the miss from four yards out could be costly, like the Proudlock penalty. Widdowson also spurned a good chance and it is another example of us not getting a two goal lead, a recurring theme in the past 23 games.

The balance of the team seems to be coming together. Bore and Widdowson looked very dangerous at full back and if they don't cut inside so often then Woods will bring the best out of them as their pace is frightening (for League Two level). Atkinson and Lancashire were once again solid at the back and they are good as a centre back pairing. Devitt and Coulson were very impressive-Peacock aside, Coulson was my man of the match. The way he created the second goal was outstanding. However both of the wingers are too one-footed so sometimes they are too predictable. In midfield I thought Sinclair was poor. He always seemed to hold the ball up too long in central midfield. However Hudson had an average game-not bad but not very good.

Peacock was great all round. Not just the goals but his hold up play etc. I believe it is only the third time in 23 league matches we have scored more than one goal in a match. Hopefully he can do what Conlon did last year (and then do it the year after!). However the selection of Wright was a poor one. I do not see what he brings to the team. No pace, poor finishing and little aerial threat. I think we should have started with a faster striker. Colgan was solid and unlucky with the second goal.

Now this may sound a bit odd, but why not swap Woods's and Casper’s roles around? I am impressed with what Woods has done but he seems out of his depth as a manager. Casper had a fair amount of success as a Bury manager and he has experience. It would be a shame to see Woods go but we need the results. Put Woods as assistant manager as he knows Grimsby inside out but Casper has the experience to get results.

As we have seen Woods is tactically inept but I think he is a man who could build this team over a long period of time - he was just appointed at the wrong time but he has taken Grimsby forward since his appointment

Bring on Macclesfield!

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• The Six Pointer
• Grimsby v Lincoln Preview
• Lincolnshire Derby Fans Match
• More Stories