York v Grimsby Preview

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 14/10/2011

GRIMSBY head up the east coast to face fourth placed York on Saturday. Town, now in the top half of the table after the midweek win over Barrow, have yet to beat one of the leading clubs this season, and have only scored 3 goals away from home all season.

Town have been scoring a lot of goals recently though, especially at Blundell Park. Despite the dearth of away goals. the Mariners have scored 15 goals in the last six games. Only York have scored more - the Minstermen have scored 16 goals, and gained 11 points to Grimsby's 10 over the last half dozen fixtures.

In order to combat the York midfield Town's managerial duo are considering switching to a 4-5-1 formation, which netted a point in a tough away fixture at Kidderminster, thanks to a last gasp goal Elding goal.

Town Winger Serge Makofo (knee) is a doubt for the game. although of late the Congolese has been battling with Rob Eagle to start on the left hand side of midfield, so Town have a ready replacement if they choose to stick with 4-4-2.

If Town do go 4-5-1 it would probably mean a start for Frankie Artus in the engine room, with Duffy playing up front and top scorer Hearn dropping back to a wide position.

At the back Grimsby have been very poor defensively at late, especially at set pieces. The managers have the dilemma of trying to establish a settled back four, or shuffling the pack in he hope of alighting on a better permutation of the players they do have. Town looked best when left back Jamie Green was in the side, but he has been injured for the last few weeks.

City, like Town have more or less a full squad to choose from. Defender Dave McGurk is back from suspension, and the only doubt is over winger Danny Pilkington.

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