Thoughts on Grimsby away (Pre-season)

Grimsby, land of some fishy people and one of the nations favourite dishes of course!

Pre-season games are always, well, a bit weird. Played in good spirits with the focus on fitness and sharpness as opposed to the will to win, which will be more in evidence in 10 days time.

So when  it was announced that City would be visiting Grimsby when the pre-season plans were announced, I was in two minds about making the trip over the Humber bridge but my need for a Football fix teamed with the fact that Blundell Park is one of my favourite away days, mainly because we always seem to pick up 3 points, led me to making the trip from Bridlington. Who could forget the incredibly forgettable Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, a player who seemed to have been born offside, convert a penalty in front of the city fans in the last minute in Stuart's early tenure. Or Omar Daley's jinking run and blast into the top corner in the first few minutes a couple of years later, only to then be taken off as Matt Clarke was sent off as he continued to do his best impressions of the Chuckle brothers at the heart of City's defence. Oh and the temperature in Grimsby always seemed to be about minus 10.

 So on a surprisingly warm Tuesday night in Cleethorpes (I always thought it was Grimsby? Ah well) City started with a strong looking line up and one might expect that line up to be the one that takes the field against Bristol City, with the exception of Connell missing out in favour of Nahki Wells.
The game started off quite evenly with both teams spraying the ball around quite nicely, one time rumoured Phil Parkinson target Paddy Mclaughlin classy on the ball for Grimsby and Nathan Doyle pinging trademark passes to the opposite flank with ease.
Although in true Pre-season style, not a lot really happened of any interest.
Kyel Reid demonstrated his amazing ability to be able to place a ball directly on Hanson's head, then with his his next 6 attempted crosses nearly committ mass murder in the Grimsby end with the sparse home fans  having to run and duck out the way as another Reidy missile launched into Rows Z, E and F.

Beforehand I was looking forward to seeing City's biggest signing of the summer Mark Yeates, a player I have always rated from his Colchester and Middlesbrough days. Yeates started on the right and it has to be said was anonymous, and still recieved some rather strong treatment from Grimsby's left back. It has to be said that Yeates looked like he was playing in the wrong position, not a natural winger by any means he spent a lot of time looking to come inside and didn't seem to have the pace or trickery to beat his man in a one on one. However don't get down hearted yet, all this changed with a sparkling second half performance, this time on the left flank where his infuence grew and grew and was at the heart of everything City created. James Hanson was again excellent in his all round play although missed arguably City's best chance of the half when he narrowly failed to connect to Reid's ball into the middle..

The second half started with City in control and their superior fitness really started to show over the course of the 90 as Grimsby tired noticeably. Nick Allamby deserves a lot of credit for what his efforts have achieved and just how much he has helped to transform the team into a strong unit. One player looking noticeably leaner already is Nathan Doyle who after coming to the club unfit was largely excellent until his form dropped off probably due to fatigue from missing the fitness work in the off season. I noticed at Guiesley that he looked to have shed the proverbial timber and I do think he will be pivotal as City look to progress again this season, as he is so classy in possession and has the vision to start City's attacks from deep.

The introduction of Wells for Connell brought a fresh impetus to the frontline, as once again Hanson and Connell proved that they simply can't play together. Both players have different strengths and one of Connell's is to drop slightly deeper and this is totally ineffective when placed next to Hanson. A highlighting point is when the big man wins a flick on and Connell is nowhere to be seen or else that he lacks the pace to be a threat in behind like Wells. There lies the problem as Alan Connell is an excellent player both technically and in his attitude, how we can fit him into the side is a different matter completely.
It was pleasing to see Garry Thompson carry on his outstanding form from the second half of the season, his turn of pace and strength brought upon the first goal of the night as he recieved a glorious pass from Yeates, skinned his fullback who dived in far too easily before his cross eventually fell to Hanson who with his weaker foot, prodded the ball beyond the despairing dive of Grimsby's keeper.

More changes happened as Kennedy and Nelson came on and I was convinced that Doyle had gone off till late on in the game when he suddenly appeared at left back. A great moment just before this substitution occurred as Meredith bombed down the line with great intent, before lofting the ball over the roof of the stand to his great annoyance and the City fans amusement, as they immediately sang.

"Are you Reidy in disguise? Are you Reidy? Are you Reidy in Disguise?"

 In-between John Mclaughlin pulling off several important saves and blocks as City lost their way slightly, a free kick on the edge of the box allowed Youtube specialist Yeates to step up and bend the ball clinically to the keepers left hand side and end the contest.

What can be taken from a pre-season game? Not a lot really, but the team look strong and with the step up to League one being either extremely small or the size of the Atlantic ocean depending on who you listen too. I personally can't see City having any problems making the step up, and hopefully making a good fist of their attempts for a second consecutive promotion.