Paul Groves Applauds the Grimsby Town Players!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 25/03/2002

Paul Groves spoke about the Wimbledon game and the players. In his interview with the Grimsby Telegraph, Groves gave all the credit to the players, which says a great deal about him and his management style.

Groves himself played a very strong game in defenceand was considered as one of the Men of The Match but would only say: "I am pleased for the players because we spoke before the game about the result last week, and said that a lot of people would be looking at this result, and I asked the players to prove to people how good they are."

"I felt the goals that we scored were well-worked goals, and the goals they scored were disappointing and a little fortunate."

In the dressing room at half time Groves said he told them: "I asked them to drive the game. In the first half there was a little bit of a wind that was pushing us back, but I said 'go and get hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and take it to them' - and they did."

".…It is difficult to single out individuals…."

"The 15 to 20 minute spell at the beginning of the half was all our pressure, and that really accumulated in a goal. The determination of the players is such that they don't want to let teams off the hook, and credit to them, they have been brilliant."

"It is difficult to single out individuals, and while Alan and Michael have scored hat-tricks, I felt the team in a number of performances has been excellent, and it is a team game. I asked Alan when he retook it whether he was happy to do it, and he was. He was big enough and brave enough to put it down again, and to smack it in."

On the goal difference he said: "That's a big plus, because it can be a factor, so if we can improve that on the way it is a bonus. We have got a game at Birmingham to look forward to, then Sheffield Wednesday - it is another big game but we will take it in our stride."

Graham Rodger said: "The first half was one of our poorer performances for 45 minutes, but the positives were that the lads showed a real resilience to still be in the game at 2-2, and then luckily we got half time to address a few little problems that were arising."

"As usual they responded magnificently and really took the game to a very good Wimbledon side and dominated the second half."

"I have got a resting heart rate of about 240 and when it gets to the final stages it is more or less off the scale, but the players have been fantastic and they deserve the plaudits."

Alan Pouton has his say! Click here for story.

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