Grimsby visit the Park tomorrow in hope of ridding their bogus run against County tomorrow.
The game may be in doubt due to heavy frost and ice around Stockport but Jim Gannon will be hoping the game will go ahead in order to carry on their winning streak after a 6-0 win and a 2-0 win against Wycombe and Macc respectively.
Michael Bowler and Keith Briggs could be in line for a good send off if Jason Taylor does not prove his fitness. Both Bowler and Briggs will be leaving in January.
*Jim Gannon has offered Liverpool defender Jamie Smith a contract after Smith impressed in his loan deal earlier this year.
Paul Tierney could be returning to parent club Blackpool on the 7th January, three days after the Notts County home game. Jim Gannon will be looking to snap Tierney up on a permanenet deal though.
Vital Quotes:
Peer Ward: ‘We’re not going to get carried away by a couple of good results.’
‘Jim has stuck to his principles and the rewards are starting to come.
‘It has been a very stop-start kind of season so far.
‘And although we’re not using it as an excuse it’s been difficult to get the consistency with the number of injuries we’ve had.
‘The important thing is that there’s been a lot of good training going on and that has helped improve the attitude in the squad.’
County Team News:
Matty McNeil could return from a knee injury but is 50/50.
Gary Dicker and Greg Tansey are back in training, but Ash Williams is still a few weeks away from returning.
Keith Briggs could be in line for a great send off as he may replace the injured Jason Taylor in midfield.
Player to watch: Adam Proudlock
Who else? Scored 9 goals altogether including a stunning hattrick against Wycombe in the 6-0 thrashing and a goal last week in the Chesire derby 2-0 win over Macc.
Will be looking to grab a few more tomorrow.
Grimsby Team News:
Midfielders Martin Butler and Peter Till proved that they are ready to return against League One Leeds in the reserve league last week.
Striker Isiah Rankin is closer to returning but may still be in doubt tomorrow. Gary Jones may play agian to grab his third goal in as many weeks.
Defender Justin Whittle could be handed a start and Nick Fenton is expected to be fit following a slight back strain.
Player to watch: Gary Jones
Jones has scored in Grimsbys last two games as they have won both 1-0. The experienced striker has scored over 70 goals for Grimsby and will be a handful tomorrow.
Match Odds
County – 4/5
Draw – 23/10
Grimsby – 11/4
Ref Watch:
Mr Attwell is midway through his first professional season and has refereed neither County or Grimsby yet.
Match Prediction:
After a month of bad predictions, I think I’ll leave it today.
Next Fixtures:
Shrewsbury vs COUNTY – (A) 26th December
