Wednesday Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 12/11/2001

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that drew 0-0 with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon in the Division One fixture.

Coyne: He made a valuable one-on-one stop midway through the second half but it was a fairly comfortable game for the Town number one. Still looks hesitant when a ball is crossed into the box and the old days returned for one moment when one of his goal kicks went straight to a Wednesday player 40 yards out.

Grade: C+

Butterfield: When will Lennie Lawrence learn? In midfield the youngster looks lost, but back in the familiar right back spot he looks at home. On this performance he should stay there, as the manager should recognise the problematic position as Butterfield's. He was defensively sound and supported well going forward.

Grade: C+

Gallimore: After a nervy start he got better. This wasn't a great game for the left back by any means but it was to a good standard. He nearly scored an own goal if it wasn't for Coyne's alertness but he got his body in the way of so many shots I lost count.

Grade: B-

Broomes: Looks very solid but still seems susceptible to one or two blunders, nothing on a catastrophic level mind. Once or twice he lost the ball going into midfield but was very impressive in the air, winning the ball many times against the giant Gerald Sibon.

Grade: B-

Groves: A shaky performance from the Captain though it was enough to help keep a clean sheet. One feels that when up against better opposition the aging centre-back will have trouble. Nevertheless, he was adequate enough to keep it tight.

Grade: C

Boulding: The former tennis pro was given a start on the left of midfield releasing Campbell on the right and Pouton in the middle. He again impressed in the early stages of the game but petered out as it wore on. Still posed a threat whenever on the ball but gave the team the width they need to move forward.

Grade: C

Campbell: A determined performance saw him compete for every ball and was a constant problem down Wednesday's left flank. Crowd booed him after he was floored by a very late challenge but recovered to battle on. Not a skilful game by the former Leicester man but a dogged one.

Grade: C+

Willems: He seems to be able to play more freely away from home. He was back to a more solid central midfielder as he put his past two poor performances behind him. He wasn't at the centre of Town's play but he was always there when we needed him. He supplied a great cross for Allen near the end which unfortunately the striker missed.

Grade: B-

Pouton: The central role is bringing the best out of Pouton and he caused trouble all afternoon. His purposeful runs forward brought about half chances and he was unlucky not to open the scoring after some very good play which saw his shot end up hitting the underside of the bar when it deserved more.

Grade: B

Jevons: Although he's the club's top scorer in all competitions, every time I see him play he never looks like scoring. He was part of a hard-working strike force but never got in the box like his co-striker did and as a result he hardly got a glimpse of the goal.

Grade: C

Allen: Guilty of missing a great chance and was unlucky not to score after dispossessing Pressman in the second half. He once again held the ball up very well and deserves a lot more. At least he's getting in the positions and he's helping to create the chances.

Grade: B-

SUBS

Rowan: Came on too late to make an impression but he won a corner near the end.

Raven: Came on very late, for literally the very last seconds.

Best part of Town's performance: They found the knack of controlling the midfield, mainly through Willems and Pouton's pressure and dominance. They won the ball there many a time and came away to create chances. It looks promising but they now have to do the job just as well but at Blundell Park.

Areas for improvement: It seems strange to say this now that we finally got a clean sheet, but the defending in patches was a little stretched. Having said that, I wouldn't like to criticise it any further because that would be unjust. If the strikers could finish the chances that came their way...

Entertainment scale: For a 0-0 it wasn't bad, but if that was at Blundell Park the fans would have left the ground slightly disappointed. But the point came at Hillsborough and although it was quieter than normal in the away end, it was worthwhile making the trip to see the match. Not a classic, but we put up with that because we got a point and a clean sheet.

5

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