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Preview: Grimsby v Wrexham

By: Kevin Dolan
Date: 19/02/2007

GRIMSBY Town have the opportunity to put a sizable gap between themselves and the relegation zone as strugglers Wrexham visit Blundell Park.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Wrexham (h)


The Opposition

Overview
Wrexham have had a tough time both on and off the field in recent years. After years of boardroom turmoil, the club entered administration midway through the 2004/05 season and dropped into a relegation fight after being comfortable in mid-table; the 10-point deduction ultimately consigned the club to relegation. Last season, hampered by a poor away record, the club struggled to get any sort of run going and, despite being in the play offs around Christmas, eventually finished 13th.

The Dragons did make a good start to this season, going 6 games unbeaten and spending the first month of the season in the play off places, but results took a significant turn for the worse and Denis Smith was sacked at the turn of the year after over five years as manager. Ex-defender and coach Brian Carey was then promoted to manager, but has yet to record a victory in his seven games. Ex-Liverpool manager has this week been appointed in an advisory role.

The Team
Wrexham currently lie 22nd in League 2, seven points behind Town. The bad run started with 5-0 and 5-2 consecutive defeats to Accrington and Stockport and results have struggled to pick up since. The club has only one win in the last 14 league and cup games and only two points picked up from a possible 24. Their away form has again really been a problem and their solitary away win was at Chester back in August.

Scoring goals has been The Dragons’ main problem (the only time they have managed three goals in a league match was against Town in August) and only Chris Llewellyn (left) (10) and Mark Jones (7) have scored more than three. Llewellyn returned in the summer after one season at Hartlepool and scored in the 3-0 win against the Mariners. Striker Michael Carvill has signed from Charlton and could make a full debut. Midfielder Danny Williams and defender Steve Evans have been the backbone of the team this season.

Key Player
With such problems in attack, much is dependant on keeping them out at the other end. Everton youth keeper John Ruddy has recently been brought in on loan and displaced Michael Ingham between the sticks. The 20 year old has been loaned to a few clubs in his career, after only one appearance for The Toffees, and kept a clean sheet for Stockport at Blundell Park in September. This will be his third game for The Dragons.

Recent Form

TownWrexham
WMansfield(a)2-1
WBristol R(h)4-3
WBoston(a)6-0
LDarlington(h)0-1
LWalsall(a)0-2
Currently 17th in League Two.
DChester(h)0-0
LPeterborough(a)0-3
LWycombe(h)0-2
LStockport(h)0-1
DDarlington(a)1-1
Currently 22nd in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownWrexham
Peter Bore8
Martin Paterson6
Llewellyn10
Jones7

Team News

TownWrexham

  • Martin Paterson plays the last game of his loan spell before returning to Stoke.

  • James Hunt has extended his loan spell for another month.
  • Midfielder Jeff Whitley has joined on loan until the end of the season from Cardiff.

  • Mark Jones returns after suspension, but Neil Roberts is currently on paternity leave.
  • Probable Teams

    TownWrexham
    1Phil Barnes
    29Matthew Bloomer
    6Justin Whittle
    5Nick Fenton
    3Tom Newey
    18Peter Bore
    16Danny Boshell
    25James Hunt
    8Paul Bolland
    10Ciaran Toner
    14Martin Paterson
    TBAJohn Ruddy
    14Simon Spender
    24Gareth Evans
    5Steve Evans
    15Mike Williams
    7Mark Jones
    8Danny Williams
    TBARobert Garrett
    TBAJeff Whitley
    11Chris Llewellyn
    TBAMichael Carvill

    Subs

    TownWrexham
    13Robert Murray
    24Simon Grand
    2John McDermott
    19Gary Jones
    22Danny North
    1Michael Ingham
    20Matt Done
    21Marc Williams
    9Lee McEvilly
    TBAScott Barron

    Head to Head

    The Mariners have a fairly even record against Wrexham, including a double over the Welsh side last season, but losing both games during the 2003/04 season.

    P 52 W 20 D 11 L 21 F 62 A 68

    Wrexham Head-to-Head (50th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Wrexham’s last visit came towards the end of last season when Gary Jones and Michael Reddy kept Town in 2nd place in League 2.

    01-Apr-2006
    Grimsby2 - 0Wrexham
    Butler 37(og)
    Beardsley 79,85
      

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, McDermott, Whittle, R Jones, Newey, Cohen (Parkinson, 58), Bolland, Woodhouse, Goodfellow, Reddy, G Jones
    Subs: (not used) Mendes, Croft, Kalala, Futcher

    Wrexham Team: Ingham, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Pejic, Spender, Holt, Crowell, Ferguson, Mark Jones, Walters, Williams (Smith, 81)
    Subs (not used): Michael Jones, Bayliss, Marc Williams, Mike Williams

    Attendance: 6,058  Report

    Bookings: Cohen, Woodhouse (Grimsby) Walters (Wrexham)

    Prediction

    Town 2-0 Wrexham

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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