Barnsley Preview

By: Jostein Jensen
Date: 02/03/2001

Grimsby welcome Barnsley to Blundell Park on Saturday. The Tykes, who beat Crewe 3-0 in their last match at Oakwell, may use Bruce Dyer up front after the pacy striker impressed for the reserves this week. Dyer was linked weeks ago with the Mariners in a possible loan move.

But the Yorkshiremen will have to rely on the footie nomad Neil Shipperley (left) up front, a player who knows where the goal is. It's expected to be a crowded Blundell Park on Saturday, with a large away contingent expected.

"Barnsley have won their last two matches and will be coming here determined to make it three in a row. It is sure to be a hard-fought encounter," said Grimsby manager Lennie Lawrence ahead of the game.

Grimsby

"I think we'll miss 'Livvo' and 'Smudge', I don't think either of them are going to be fit. But we have got people coming back from injury now. Bradley (Allen) is coming back, Alan (Pouton) is coming back, Kingsley is there and Wayne's back from suspension. We have got the numbers there now," was Stacy Coldicott's view on this important match against local rival Barnsley.

The indications are that Lawrence will rotate the team, with maybe Handyside coming in for Enhua and Groves left out for Richard Smith.

Lawrence's search for a striker continues, with the Grimsby manager choosing not to go abroad outside the EC and bring in a player in time for Saturday's game. "Players from outside the EEC must fulfil certain criteria to play in England and that makes them the top end of the market, which puts them out of our price range. Elsewhere, of course I am always looking for the right player and follow up any recommendations" said Lawrence, who this week brought Leeds striker Lee Matthews in on a one week trial. Matthews is believed ineligible to appear in the fixture, as he has not been registered as a Grimsby player and, in any case, is only on trial.

Gallimore will replace the injured David Smith at left back, while Steve Livingstone is expected to be replaced by Kevin Donovan, allowing Wayne Burnett to return in a midfield role. Bradley Allen may make start the game, although he missed valuable match training with the midweek reserve fixture against Stoke having been postponed, and Lawrence may settle for a place on the bench for the London-born striker.

Local youngster Jonathan Rowan is also in the frame, although the 19 year old striker will probably not start the match. Central defender Paul Raven is out of contention with a slight calf strain, similarly frontman Daryl Clare still isn't ready to play after his injury on loan at Cheltenham. Menno Willems is once again available for selection after signing a 2 year deal for the Mariners today.

Barnsley

The Tykes have struggled this season mainly through injury problems. The situation is a bit better now although central defender Steve Chettle was injured against Crewe and is out with a calf injury. Nigel Spackman's boys are now looking for more points. With two wins in a row the confidence is back amongst the Tykes, but Spackman will not make it easy for Grimsby. "It's good to get back-to-back wins, but we know there are some tough games coming up and we can't let our standards drop," said the Tykes boss.

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