Prior to our win midweek, Grimsby could well have been firm favourites to win this, but our superiority against a Barrow team which had been doing well gave me pause to do some rethinking.
My thoughts were along the lines of questioning whether there was as much between so many of the better-than-average teams in this league as I had imagined. Basically when Rovers have played quite well they have won and whilst Chesterfield looked relatively good there was not a great deal of difference in skill. MKD, Port Vale and Gillingham are potential promotion contenders and might be described as having given us a game, but none of them could be described as impressively skilful or effective.
So Grimsby, after 6 yellow cards and defending “resolutely" took the points against Gillingham on Tuesday night and are on a bit of a roll, possibly proving that what Harrogate did, that this season’s top teams, are not all that much better than the more average ones. Fleetwood at Walsall also illustrated this proposition.
So perhaps the result will turn on whether we can be stronger and more fluid on Saturday than we have been lately and we could win. Molyneux and possibly Maxwell could be adding strength to the ranks and no doubt Clifton who has admirable energy will be trying his very best against his old club.
So I’m going to be optimistic and say 1-2 (Clifton/Sharp/Ironside)
DPL v Grimsby Town
posted on 3/10/24
As I've mentioned before. The Codeds manager thinks they have a defence like AC Milan. They'll be confident of beating us but we always seem to do well against them. Wouldn't be surprised if it ended up 0-0. Do that's what I'll go and hope for more.
posted on 4/10/24
Good write-up, Donaldo, as usual. We have been doing well against Grimsby in recent games, but will Rovers really show-up tomorrow?
After the Barrow game I feel a little more confident we are getting back to where we should be in quality. If only we could create more really good chances, I'd be even more confident.
I just about as optimistic as Donaldo and will also go 1-2 to the Rovers, but with Molyneux/Clifton the scorers.
I doubt I'll be watching the game - 04:30 is, as we used to say in my RAF crew room, earlier than "Sparrows' ****".
posted on 5/10/24
I'll also predict a 2-1 Rovers win. Molyneaux / Clifton.
posted on 5/10/24
Only just seen it's an early kickoff
Grimsby 1-2 Rovers
Sharp to score ⚽
posted on 5/10/24
Seems GM found the best team selection and formation more by accident than design. We're getting there. But I'm sure there will be more backward steps at some point. Owen Bailey far better at the back, Gibson making a difference too and Molyneaux back on form. Towering performance by McGrath too.
posted on 6/10/24
It’s easy to look at this win and regard it as evidence that we are now back on track to sweep all before us. In fact the first goal could easily have been disallowed for off side and when all is said and done, everything went our way in the first half. The referee was not unfavourably disposed towards us and Grimsby might well see him as a James Bell - the Chesterfield ref.
It is becoming clear that whilst we seem capable of contending for promotion we are not the pre-eminent force some expected us to be.
posted on 7/10/24
On the comments after the report of the game, one Grimsby supporter wrote:
"We were so poor today, worst performance of the season imo. Officials were really bad but we deserved nothing."
So it does happen to all teams!
posted on 7/10/24
There are no stand out teams in the division this year. Although we are way from the finished article yet we are in a good position to push for a top 3 spot. Ironically Crewe are the top form team at the moment so next Saturday will be interesting to see where we really are. My predictions this year have been dire so far!
posted on 8/10/24
Nookie, it had been almost impossible to predict the Rovers this year. Inconsistent performances from too many variations of team selections.
If Molyneux is really back to form every game, things will look much better as his drop off resulted in a few of the bad games.
In this game, Bailey and McGrath were an amazing centre-back pair, hopefully not just a one-off performance if they are given that job again.
Earlier this season I was not impressed by Gibson - for one thing, he seemed unable to send in a decent pass or cross, as well as woeful finishing. Hopefully this game is an indication of more to come.
Hopefully the team will look at the upcoming game as a normal one just to win, and not think more about a revenge game and lose control. It would be amazing to get three in-a-row without a single card!
posted on 8/10/24
I’m not convinced that Gibson is a good team player. He was through on his own for no.1 and his only choice for no.2 was to shoot. It is his general judgment that seems questionable, a bit like Molyneux before last season.