Barnet v Grimsby Team News

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 18/02/2014

TOWN play only their second away game of 2014 when they head to Barnet tonight, a game perched between the two FA Trophy semi finals. Wembley or not, the match with Barnet is more important to Grimsby's future than a cup game, and thoughts of the national stadium can be put on hold for a few hours at least.

Central defender Shaun Pearson will once again be absent after serving the second game of his two match ban. Pearson was missed at Cambridge, where the whole team were well under par, and he looks certain to come back for the second leg. But for now Town will probably stick with MacDonald and Chris Doig in central defence.

Positions where Paul Hurst is likely to change things are strikers and full backs. Both Ross Hannah and Oumare Tounkara could come into the starting line-up at Cambridge after John-Lewis got the nod, alongside fellow frontman Andy Cook. Grimsby created very little in that game so Hurst may well try a different combination up front.

Aswad Thomas and Jamal Fyfield are both fighting for the left back spot, as are Paul Bignot and Sam Hatton at right back. Hatton and Fyfield were employed at the weekend but neither exactly impressed against The U's so a change could well take place in the full back positions.

In midfield, Scott Neilson looked useful when he came on on the wing against Cambridge, and Andi Thanoj is a more creative option in midfield if Paul Hurst wants to go down that route.

Grimsby have already won at Barnet this season, in the FA Trophy, when a late goal from substitute Dale Southwell knocked out the Londoners. Edgar Davids has since departed the Hive, but the Bees have struggled all season for consistency, and that's been the case since he left as well. Barnet still are within reach of the play-offs but they have played more games than most of the clubs around them, so will need a good run to make the top five come the season end.

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