Grimsby Town... In Focus

Sunday 28 May 2006, thirty minutes into the League 2 Playoff Final between Grimsby Town and Cheltenham Town, Andy Parkinson, the Mariners' winger goes down in a heap inside the box following a clumsy challenge. It seems a cast iron penalty, but referee Paul Taylor waves the appeals away. Grimsby never recover, and go on to lose by a single Steve Guinan goal to nil. A whole season spent inside the top seven, mostly inside the top three, but then manager Russell Slade's side lost at the final hurdle and were destined to another season of League 2 action.

If truth be told, they have never really recovered. A mass summer exodus ensued, with Slade departing to become Yeovil boss, and goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall plus Jean Paul Kambudimba Kalala joining him.

Buckley... Re-joined to save his old club

Parkinson, as Notts fans will know, has re-joined Meadow Lane, and last season's star player, Michael Reddy has been out of sorts and injured for most of the campaign. When he has been available, his form has been questioned, particularly as he handed in a transfer request in August.

Graham Rodger replaced Slade as manager, but a poor start to the campaign, coupled with some poor summer signings, the likes of Peter Beagrie and Phil Barnes disappointing largely, saw Rodger depart after only three months in charge. Old favourite Alan Buckley has returned “to finish where he left off”. It is a big job that he takes on, with a squad that has lost all shape, focus and confidence. The lack of a goal threat is clearly evident, though Buckley has swooped for Stoke youngster Martin Paterson to solve the problem, and it could be a good decision after a starring debut.

Peter Till and Anthony Pulis have also joined on loan, as Buckley bids to turn the tide around at Blundell Park.

After starting the campaign with a terrific second half comeback against local rivals Boston, eventually winning 3-2 thanks to a debut hat-trick from youngster Peter Bore, one of few success stories for Town this season, Grimsby then won only twice more in eleven league games.

Currently just three points above the relegation zone, their poor defensive record, which sees them with a goal difference of minus twelve, worsened only by Macclesfield, has been the prime cause for concern.

Supporter Karl Green, a regular at Blundell Park said: “The season has been poor so far, and I wasn't even a Buckley fan. But now I think he is going to change our season, and we can still scrape a Playoff place.”

It will take a hell of a lot to do that, and surely the most realistic aim would be simply to survive, and re-build again for next season.

Manager: Alan Buckley

League Position (as of 4/12/06): 21^st

Top goalscorer: Gary Jones and Peter Bore (5 each)

Fenton... Player of the season so far?

Goals for: 20

Goals against: 32

Player of the season so far: Karl Green said: “Our best recent signing is Paterson, but overall it has to be Nicky Fenton or Gary Jones.” Peter Bore is surely another contender with precious goals as a youngster breaking through.

V Notts County: Notts defeated the Mariners 2-0 at Blundell Park on October 21^st. Both goals came from former Town players Jason Lee and Junior Mendes, and both were headers. Grimsby come to Meadow Lane on Saturday, 31^st March.

Drapes' Prediction: A slight improvement is already evident under the experienced Buckley, and they will surely do enough to preserve their league status. However, a limited and young squad lacking a thorough goal threat will see them struggle to move too far up the table. 18th