We talk to Grimsby Town fan Marc ahead of our game against them tomorrow
Thanks to Grimsby fan, Marc…
Who do you support?
Grimsby Town.
How long have you supported them?
Since late 80’s when I was a youngster.
Last season’s league finish?
4th, lost in play-offs.
What do you think of your manager?
Very pleased especially since Scott went. Him and Scott have obviously been successful wherever they have been and although it took some time have brought that winning feeling back to us leading us to Wembley and a play-off spot last season. When Scott was sacked I feared the worse, wondering whether Hurst could work alone and if it was him or Scott who were the main reason for their success. But since then Hurst has proved he can do it alone and not only that the team spirit is excellent and the players look like they are playing for him, they obviously don’t miss Scott’s shouting at them every 5 seconds.
How has your season gone so far in comparison to your pre-season expectations/hopes?
Expectations were play-offs at least so as expected so far after a slow start, though doing better in the FA cup than expected.
Has it ever been confirmed why Rob Scott was sacked?
Gross Misconduct, the altercation with the Nuneaton bench at half time in their match with us was the final straw for Fenty.
You have two ex-Imps who tend to be in the starting XI in Kerr and John-Lewis. How have they done?
John-Lewis is probably our player of the season so far, he is everything you need in a target man, big strong, wins headers, and fouls, lays if off for other players, his only downside is his ability to score (some of his misses are unbelievable) which for a striker is obviously a problem, but if he could score as well he wouldn’t be at this level. Keep LJL quiet and we have trouble attacking with our current formation, as Welling showed the other week at BP when their defender was so far the only one to get the better of him this season.
Kerr started off slowly and I wondered why we let Niven go and replaced him with Kerr, but since we went back to 4-4-2 Kerr has been excellent, controlling the midfield, breaking up play and passing it well, he is also very creative with set pieces, with us scoring a few goals from them this season with routines straight from the training ground. In recent months he is pushing LJL close for that player of the season award so far.
Liam Hearn has suffered another serious injury. Have we seen the last of him at Grimsby and even in FT football?
Hopefully not, his contract ends in the summer and he’s not expected back till at least September, but Hurst has said when he is able he will be training with us if he wishes and will be given a chance to earn a new deal.
We’ve only won 3 in 20 odd games against Grimsby. Bearing in mind the difference in form of the two teams, give us some hope. Why should we go into the Xmas double header with a little bit of optimism that we might finally beat you for the first time in 7 years?
It’s a derby anything can happen, just look at Blundell Park last season, you weren’t expected to take a point from us then, what’s to say you can’t beat us, especially as records are there to be broken.
Top five predictions?
Luton, Grimsby, Cambridge, Barnet, Kidderminster.
(Top 3 in any order.)
Bottom four predictions?
Chester, Southport, Tamworth, Hyde.
Thoughts on Lincoln City?
Obviously going through a long bad patch which is surprising after pre-season expectations and the start you had, despite the rivalry I hope you don’t go down and eventually have some success again but I think you just need time to rebuild and have faith your manager will eventually turn you around. Constantly sacking the manager is not the way to go, as I hope Fenty has finally learnt with us.
Score prediction?
0-3.
Random fact about your Club?
The highest attendance at Old Trafford involved Grimsby vs Wolves in an FA Cup semi-final.
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