Chris

Introduction: Name: Elliott Hanley. Neil Wilkinson. How long have you supported Grimsby Town? Elliott: Since I started watching Town. Neil: 48 years. Are you a season ticket holder? Elliott: Yes, I have a season ticket. Neil: No. Age? Elliott: 27. Neil: 57. Favourite Player? Elliott: At the moment, there are a few. Neil: Danny Rose. What are your thoughts on Grimsby Town’s performance in their first game of the season, and how do you think it sets the tone for the rest of the season? Elliott: We weren't at our best, and it showed in the defeat. However, new players are still coming in and getting to know each other, so I wasn't worried! Yes, you want to start the season with a win and gain momentum, but August still feels like pre-season to me, with players coming and going. This was evident in the performances against Bradford and Cheltenham. Neil: A slow start, but you can see what they are trying to achieve. Playing from the back and then moving the ball quickly through the phases. It didn’t work particularly well in the first game of the season. Which player do you think has been the standout performer for Grimsby Town in these initial games, and what specific qualities or contributions have they brought to the team? Elliott: For me, there are three: McJannet has been brilliant, Khouri, playing at left-back, has put in a shift and done the job needed, but George McEachran has been quality! He looks like his time at Swindon is behind him, and he’s showing his actual potential. Neil: Jordan Davies is going to be our outstanding player. He’s a class above most in the division. He links the play up really well and can receive the ball in very tight spaces. How do you feel about the team’s current management and coaching staff, and what impact do you think they have had on the team’s early performances and morale? Elliott: I think we should give David Artell time and allow the season to progress; we’ll do well! Neil: Artell and the coaching staff always needed a pre-season with their own players, so time will tell, but the early signs are good. Morale will improve with each game, as will confidence once we start getting results under our belt. What do you think are the key strengths and weaknesses of Grimsby Town’s squad based on the first two games, and how do you think these will affect their performance in the upcoming match against Notts County? Elliott: I feel we need another centre-forward and a central defensive midfielder, but I think the team is strong. Thompson was a standout in the second half of last season, and we have a brilliant midfielder. However, we don’t have someone who can replicate Thompson, as most of our other midfielders are more attacking. Neil: We don’t appear to have much strength in depth. Our bench against Bradford was pretty weak. It remains to be seen which players will recover in time for the County game, but I’m confident that if we keep this group fit, we will do okay. How do you see the upcoming match against Notts County playing out, and what do you think will be the decisive factors in determining the outcome? Elliott: I feel Grimsby will win, mainly because I think you’ve got rid of some of your best players from last year. However, at home last season, Jodi Jones tore us apart and was brilliant. I’d take Jodi Jones at Grimsby in a heartbeat! Neil: I believe we will win. The midfield will be important. Ours is playing with a lot of belief at the moment after the last two games. We have to be decisive in front of goal, though. Are there any specific tactics or strategies you think Grimsby Town should employ against Notts County, and how do you think these will counter Notts County’s strengths? Elliott: Just carry on playing the way we are, and we’ll be absolutely fine! Artell-ball is in full swing! Neil: We’ve developed our style of playing out from the back and drawing the opposition in before playing through the lines. The result will depend on this continuing to work. Our confidence is up at the moment, so we should persevere with it. What are your expectations for Grimsby Town for the rest of the season based on their early performances, and what do you think the team needs to do to achieve these goals? Elliott: We’ll be absolutely fine. I think we might be underdog dark horses in my opinion. I think David Artell has implemented a way of playing which looks like it can work, especially if we work hard week in and week out! Neil: Again, we just need to persevere with our style of play. We are a much more confident side than last season, and I’m expecting a mid-table or above finish. I certainly don’t expect to be in a relegation battle. With some injured players back in the next few weeks, we will have some strength in depth, but we probably need a couple of players before the transfer deadline. Final comments from Chris It's going to be another difficult game, one where Notts must have to be at their best. Local derbies tend to be a bit disappointing, so I am hopeful that we can make a difference going into this game. Starting well, retaining the ball and creating clear chances would make things much easier. I expect Grimsby to be dangerous themselves on goal, but provided our defence continues to want to win the ball back. I am more inclined to think Notts will get the win. I am going for a 2-1 win. Join in with the Pride of Nottingham's match discussion ahead of Thursday's clash against Grimsby Town - have your say and read what other fans think? Check out Pride of Nottingham's web store! We are a non-profit fan site, which relies on the support and funding from fans. 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