The Guessing Game

By: Dan Humphrey
Date: 16/02/2002

GRIMSBY TOWN'S announcement on Thursday that a new loan signing from the Premiership could arrive at Blundell Park early next week has left Mariners' fans puzzled as to who this mystery person could be.

With the Mariners' poor form in front of goal, it has been suggested that a winger or a centre-forward is required, but with a number of positions and 20 clubs to choose from, it is rather difficult for us to try to work out who it could be.

The fact that the player himself has asked for more time to consider the move may be a clue. It could indicate that he feels he has a chance of first team football at his club, or that he is unsure whether to make such a big move geographically. Although in the Buckley-era, most of Grimsby's loan players came from local clubs (Mendonca, Futcher, Woods, Jemson etc..), in recent times the club has been able to attract loanees from further afield. (The Chinese, the Dane, the Dutchman, and the Scot on loan from a German side.)

Premiership reserves:

Arsenal: Beyond their main 4 top-class strikers, little is known about the Gunners' youngsters. Though Town fans will be familiar with Jermaine Pennant - currently on loan with Watford.

Aston Villa: Villa have a 24 year old striker called Richard Walker who is 6ft, and according to Villa's rivals.net site, will struggle to make their first team. Not even sure if he's still at Villa Park....

Blackburn: Have Egil Ostenstad (left), ex-Norway international, on their books, but presumably with massive wages. Apart from that, seem to have a very young reserve side at present.

Bolton: Signed a young lad from Man Utd called Paul Wheatcroft who is one for the future, but has not made the first team yet.

Charlton: They have the very tall Martin Pringle (left), a Swede from Benfica, in their reserves.

Chelsea: Gave us Mark Nicholls (right) on loan. I doubt we will be asking them for any more favours.

Derby: Do Deon Burton or Marvin Robinson feature in John Gregory's plans? Both were in the reserves in midweek. Burton could do a job in Division One...

Everton: Teenager Nick Chadwick is injured, but winger Idan Tal, despite scoring for Israel in midweek, is out of favour.

Fulham: Luke Cornwall (left) came to Blundell Park a year or so ago, and could be a contender again this time.

Ipswich: Apparently have already let 8 players go on loan this season. Is that enough??! As well as Marcus Bent, they have another Bent, Darren - a teenager who is a hot prospect

Leeds: We are forever being told that Mr.O'Leary has no squad...

Leicester: Trevor Benjamin (left) is at Norwich on loan.

Liverpool: No-one springs to mind - most of their strikers are full internationals, and their youngsters totally unproven.

Man Utd: Their youngsters tend to go to Wigan or Preston on loan...

Middlesbro': Andy Campbell is getting back near the first team at last so wouldn't come here

Newcastle: See Ipswich. NUFC have highly-rated youth scheme, but will they let them come to us? Former Womble Carl Cort (left) is strongly rumoured to be in the frame.

Southampton: Small squad, doesn't look likely.

Sunderland: Have been loaning out young strikers all season - to York, Barnsley, Darlington et cetera. Is it our turn?

Tottenham: seem to have loads of old strikers, not many younger ones....

West Ham: see Southampton.

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