I've read that tonight is a "must win" if we want to make the play-offs, it isn't. It might at an absolute stretch be a "it'd really be quite handy not to lose", but it's not a must win. Equally, I've read fans saying that these are "shite", and that we'll "batter" them. Of course that's as possible as it always is in a game of football, but I'd be very surprised if it happens.
Let's look at us first. In our last five matches we've scored two goals. Now of course that doesn't mean that we won't get six tonight, but based on watching all of the games I wouldn't say we're close to "One of these days someone is gonna get a stuffing" territory. The simple fact of the matter is (ask Josh Kelly if you don't believe me), we aren't actually creating many goalscoring chances at the moment. Now as I say that could change at any moment, but if it did tonight you'd have to say it'd come at least a little bit out of the blue.
Fortunately, we are defending pretty well and it's that part of our team which is keeping us "in" matches. We're digging in, and once more I expect us to do the same tonight. Jake and Armani have been excellent, the back four and keeper rock solid. Even when we're ravaged by injuries and not at our most fluent, we ain't easy to score against. That's of course just as well, based on current form if we concede once we ain't winning, twice and we'd be done.
Then there's the fact we've just climbed off an emotional rollercoaster, and one that went over very bumpy sections of track at that. No sooner have we rubbed the tears from our eyes and disentangled ourselves from the seatbelts, we are back out again.
And what of Grimsby? Well they lost their best player in January (sound familiar?). For them it was a holding midfielder, the hugely impressive Kamil Conteh, whisked off to a division higher after only six months in league two. Like us, it knocked them and they started shipping goals as quickly as they were plummeting down the table.
They've brought in David Artell as manager (ex Crewe and often touted as potential for us) and a couple of new signings. Doug Tharme is I think the most notable, a good young centre half who seems to have helped steady the ship. Last two games they got a good 1-1 away at Morecambe and a crucial 1-0 win at home to Forest Green. Forest Green are much improved and this was a real relegation six pointer, a massive win for them.
Players to watch out for? Rodgers the centre half is decent, Tharme I like and he has a throw on him, I'm a bit of a fan of the midfielder (plays 8) Gavan Hollohan who has a goal in him (must be watched). Up top I think most of their fans would say the best player in their team is Danny Rose (ex Stevenage). Works his nuts off, has a great climb for not the biggest of lads and can score a goal (14 so far this season).
They also have a bit of a wild card, the on loan from Coventry, Trinidad and Tobago 20yo Justin Obikwu. I haven't seen him play, but apparently he's lively.
I've also read from our fans that they "won't bring many". I'd be very surprised if that's the case. They are one of the best supported teams in the league and this is a huge match for them.
I'm expecting it to be very tight tonight, and the first goal could be vital. I take us to shade it 2-1. Any Grimsby Town fans who fancy a pre match beer and a chin wag by the way, you're 100% welcome in the Alex.
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