Alive And Kicking: Season One, Episode Three

Hello everyone we're back with another slice of retromodernism (if that's even a thing) as we take a peek at how my charges at Grimsby Town have been doing in the 1992-93 season. If you missed the last instalment (spoiler alert: we finally get a win!) then check it out by clicking here. 


We find ourselves on the verge of embarking on a potentially dismal run of form as we come up against a number of sides in and around the playoff picture. 



There's also an interesting rumour doing the rounds regarding boardroom activity....



Just like our Coca-Cola Cup defeat at Sheffield United, one of our better performances comes in a defeat as we're unlucky to go down 2-1 away to league leaders Swindon Town at the County Ground. After Super Clive gives us a scarcely deserved first-half lead, we suddenly kick into gear and should really have been out of sight by the time Shaun Taylor heads home the equaliser. We're a little punch-drunk and the home side capitalise in the way any potential champion side would by going into a decisive lead eight minutes later through Steve White. 



Football's a funny old game at times. In one game we play really well and get nothing whereas in the next one, we're lucky to only be a goal down when Paul Groves heads us level against Portsmouth. It's one more point than I was expecting to have at this stage of this run of fixtures though. 



Despite the result, there are further signs of encouragement as we go down 1-0 at home to Charlton Athletic. Alex Dyer's fine curled effort just after the half-hour mark proves to be decisive as we pour on the pressure in the second half and do everything except score, which asks questions of our forward line. 



In possibly the biggest game of the season so far we make the long trip to St. James' Park to face Kevin Keegan's Newcastle side who are many people's tip for the Division One title. In sharp contrast to our easy on the eye style of play we've usually been playing, I decided to go defensive more in hope of damage limitation more than anything. Thankfully, it pays off as we come away with a draw by holding The Magpies to a goalless draw. After coming in for some criticism in recent weeks, Rhys Wilmot played an absolute blinder between the sticks and actually we could have won it late on when Neil Woods found himself one-on-one with Pavel Srnicek only to see his shot go agonisingly wide. 



Despite the encouragement, the facts don't lie. We're without a win in five and still towards the lower reaches of the table. More worryingly, Derby County are in positive with their points now which means they'll probably overtake us soon. 

Never mind, onwards and upwards. See you tomorrow! 

#UTM


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