Watford Team News

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 13/03/2003

MARINERS boss Paul Groves has a tough decision to make ahead of Saturday’s game with Watford at Blundell Park having to decide between going to a more attacking 4-4-2, or sticking with the side that earned a 2-2 draw with Forest on Monday night.

Definitely out of this huge game is pacy striker Michael Boulding who had a scan on his ankle on Thursday and is expected to be out for the next few weeks, which is major blow to the Town fans and management. But the major injury worry for the Mariners comes in the shape of Richard Hughes who strained ligaments in his knee in training on Wednesday. He didn't train on Thursday and is rated 50/50 for the clash with the Hornets. Should he fail to make it and Town stick with their 4-5-1 formation then Chris Bolder could well find himself in the starting eleven unless Stacy Coldicott can prove his fitness.

The big decision Paul Groves will have to make is deciding between sticking to that 4-5-1 formation with Darren Mansaram, who has only been in light training this week after taking a knock at the City ground on Monday, up front on his own again or going 4-4-2, sacrificing a midfield player and recalling one of Steve Livingstone, Chris Thompson or David Soames. Groves’ recent attempts to play with one front man at home failed recently in the game to Coventry, but if the Mariners support Mansaram and feed him with quality service, as we sometimes saw on Monday evening, then this tactic could work. Should he stick with 4-5-1 and it fails yet again, then fingers will undoubtedly start wagging at the Mariners boss.

Predicted Team: (4-4-2 formation) Danny Coyne, John McDermott, Tony Gallimore, Georges Santos, Simon Ford, John Oster, Paul Groves or Richard Hughes, Stuart Campbell, Alan Pouton, Darren Mansaram, Steve Livingstone.

Substitutes: Steve Chettle, Darren Barnard, Chris Thompson, Stacy Coldicott, Sean Allaway

Fishy Prediction: 3-1 Town

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