We talk to Dave, a Grimsby Town fan, ahead of our trip to Blundell Park on New Years Day
Thanks to Dave…
Who do you support?
Grimsby Town
How long have you supported them?
My first game was December 2001 when I finally convinced my Dad to take me. We beat Portsmouth 3-1 in Division One. I’ve been going ever since.
Last season’s league finish?
4th. We lost in the play-off semi finals to eventual winners Newport.
What do you think of your manager?
Both Hurst and Scott instilled a confidence in the club that we haven’t seen for years. They stopped the rot and have turned us into a side that actually looks like it might take us back up. I was very unsure if we’d mount a decent challenge once Scott left. We’d had a rocky start which was expected as we always tend to excel in mid-season, but there was a lot of confusion at the club which was starting to turn into negativity, but since Scott’s sacking was confirmed we’ve been exceptional. Hurst has kept the confidence around the place intact, silenced the doubters and has insured we’re still a threat. Very happy with him.
How has your season gone so far in comparison to your pre-season expectations/hopes?
I set us a personal target of top 3 and I boldly predicted we’d finish 2nd. I think we’ll finish comfortably 3rd, Luton and Cambridge will scrap it out for the title while Kidderminster and a few others scrap it out for the play-offs. We’ll be nicely jammed in the middle.
Were you at Sincil Bank on Boxing Day? If so, your thoughts on the game?
I was very surprised by how negative Lincoln were. I wasn’t expecting them to be the most tippy tappy side in the league but it was almost as if their only tactic was to play for throw ins and utilise their long throw. It’s a great weapon to have but it honestly looked as if it was all they had. Power was a big threat as usual but he was the only one trying to create a plan b. We played well in the first half, the second we didn’t turn up but we didn’t really have to. I know Lincoln were a bit bare boned for that game but should that sort of performance keep up I’d be worried. Here’s hoping for a much more exciting game for both sides at Blundell Park. We both suffered losses at the weekend so it will be interesting to see how each team responds.
Sounds as though Macclesfield deserved their win at the weekend, which must have been disappointing?
We had a similar game at Hyde last season, we were doing okay and everybody was saying how we could go top if results went our way. We’d gone 2-0 down very quickly, but pulled it back 2-2. A deflection went against us and we lost 3-2. Similar to the Macc game, we came back from 2-0 down and even saved a penalty but a fantastic freekick has done us in. It was disappointing but not as deflating as I thought it would be. It was a fantastic response in the second half and we were perhaps unfortunate to lose, but as I always say you can’t go 2-0 down so easily and expect to win the game. It’s a result we will definitely learn from, as we did last season as we then went on a fantastic run and went top. After the Hyde game we smashed Woking 5-1. Here’s hoping for a similar response!
What’s the current situation with Fenty? Is he still looking at lowering his yearly outlay to the Club?
We probably wouldn’t have some of the players we have now if we didn’t get the big cash windfall from the Ryan Bennett to Norwich transfer. The Trophy run last season was nice but it wasn’t exactly substantial. We hear every year that we have to cut the cloth, which is absolutely right, we do. I think the reason we’re concentrating on the cup/trophy is because we’d take all the cash we can get. Fenty will still throw cash at the club but yeah it’ll be less and less over the years. A lot of players are out of contract this season so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that this season could be our last big chance. It’s not poo or bust, but it’s definitely not getting any easier.
Top five predictions?
Luton, Cambridge, Grimsby, Kidderminster, Barnet.
Bottom four predictions?
Tamworth, Dartford, Southport, Hyde.
Thoughts on Lincoln City?
I like Lincoln but I thought they’d do better than they have done this season. I predicted a comfortable top half finish, with a sniff at the play-offs. I’m not entirely sure what’s gone wrong, but like I mentioned, I thought the standard of football they dished out was pretty poor to say the least. I think they’ll be fine in the end, it’d be a big shame to see them go the same way as Stockport. Should we go up I hope Lincoln follow us sooner rather than later.
Score prediction?
It’ll be a lot more contested I reckon. I’ll go with a repeat of last year, 1-1.
Random fact about your Club?
I read a while ago that Blundell Park is the closest ground to sea level in the country (or maybe just the FL), so it was a bit worrying when we had those storm warnings not long ago!
