Michael Jolley hasn’t enjoyed the best of times at Grimsby so far, finishing 18th and 17th across the last two seasons respectively, with a squad many town fans believe is play-off quality.
This said, the Cods have made some impressive signings in the transfer window so far, so could Grimsby mount a play-off push this run out?
Grimsby’s attack will have a much different dynamic about it this year, as last season’s top scorer Wes Thomas left the club. Thomas’ arrival was met with optimism, dropping into League Two from Oxford to join Grimsby suggested a signing of intent from Michael Jolley. However, it wasn’t mean to be, and Town will turn to former Mansfield and Lincoln City forward Matt Green, and former Bradford centre-forward James Hanson for the goals this campaign. In Green, Grimsby have a player who will press every ball, run himself into the ground and give everything for the team. A few eyebrows were raised when he dropped out of League Two to join then-national league Salford, where he ultimately failed to nail down a first team place.
However, it’s hard to take the place of a former Scottish Premier League striker, even one who dropped into the fifth tier. Green plays best with a target man, someone who can win flick-ons, or get in the box. At Lincoln, that player was Matt Rhead and the Matt duo lead the Imps to the play-offs. Copying that result with his new strike partner, James Hanson, will leave Town fans delighted. Hanson is a big unit at 6ft 4in and is the perfect target man for Green.
He is best known for his time at Bradford where he made over 250 appearances between 2009 and 2017, scoring 77 goals in that time. This is certainly a strike partnership Town can get excited about, and they look to hit the ground running away at once-again favourites for relegation Morecambe on the opening day.
Last season, Grimsby signed Elliott Whitehouse from Lincoln City, but he suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season that kept him out for the duration. Whitehouse will be like a new signing and he offers something different, perhaps what Town were missing last season. Whitehouse occupies the space behind the strikers, as an attacking midfielder and he tries to make late runs into the box to pick up any loose ends. He can also be utilised a bit deeper, playing more of a box-to-box role, and this versatility may prove important as the season goes on.
It wouldn’t be a transfer window without Grimsby making a move for a player from a random division. January saw Jolley peruse the Swedish market, capturing Ludvig Öhman and Sebastian Ring from IF Brommapojkarna and Örebro SK respectively. This summer, Jolley traced his Swedish scouting into the Saudi League, snapping up Al-Ain and former IK Sirius forward, Moses Ogbu. The Swedish-Nigerian striker began his career at FC Dynamo in Lagos and then moved to Sweden aged 18 for a trial with Djurgårdens IF before working his way up Swedish football, signing for IF Sirius in 2010. He made the summer switch to Town, where he had been rumoured with in January, to become their third summer signing and provide a bit of flair on either flank.
The Mariners have bolstered their full-back options with the acquisition of left and right backs Liam Gibson and Elliott Hewitt respectively. Gibson joins on a short-term loan from Newcastle United, with the 22-year old having 50 appearances in the Premier League 2 and a handful of outings for Accrington in League One last season. Gibson is an interesting story, with long term illness holding his career back to date. The Englishman suffers from Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel. Following surgery to remove part of the diseased bowel, Gibson began rehabilitation and was able to kick-start his career with Stanley last season, yet some issues persisted. Alas, at just 22, Gibson will look to work through his illness woes and make an impact with Town in the first half of the campaign.
Across the pitch, Grimsby have another play-off quality player in Elliott Hewitt. Signed from County, Hewitt endured a miserable campaign however he was instrumental in their play-off season of 2017-18, with 43 league appearances and 4 goals along the way. Hewitt also boasts championship experience with Ipswich, and League One outings with Gillingham and Colchester, certainly a quality player to have brought in.
Once again, play-offs will be the aim for Grimsby this season, but will it be a Jolley affair for the Lincolnshire side this time around?
This was a very informative article. Makes a change from reading about Premier League egos!