UP FOR THE CUP
Grimsby Town look forward to taking on Chelsea at the Bridge
MANAGER Michael Jolley insists Grimsby Town won’t be heading to the capital just for a big night out when they face Chelsea on Wednesday night.
The Mariners make the trip south for a Carabao Cup third round tie – and are set to have more than 5,000 fans cheering them on.
While Jolley acknowledges that Grimsby will be massive underdogs against last season’s finalists, he’s adamant the tie is no foregone conclusion.
“We are professional people and prepare properly for every game,” he told The FLP. “We want to try to win, but we are realistic, too. Whatever team Chelsea put out is going to be packed full of quality players, with many internationals.
“They are strong favourites to win, but once the ball is rolling anything can happen. If they have an off-night and we put in an amazing performance, then who knows?”
Whatever happens, it promises to be a night to remember for the Blundell Park outfit, who have made a steady start in League Two this term.
“For the players, the fans and everyone at the club, it’s a really exciting fixture,” said Jolley, who previously had a spell as manager of Swedish top-flight club AFC Eskilstuna. “It’s not every day you take a team to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and it’s certainly caught the imagination of our supporters - we have sold over 5,000 tickets.”
Jolley is now a year-and-ahalf into his Grimsby tenure and believes the club are taking baby steps in the right direction.
The 42-year-old said: “Eighteen months ago the club was facing the possibility of dropping out of the Football League. We stayed up and have tried to build a squad to move forward. I think we have done that in the last three windows.
“There are no great statements from us, but we are looking to improve and pick up good players. So far we are pleased with our start this season. Like everyone, we would like to have a few more points on the board, but there’s growth in the team.”
Growth
After guiding the Mariners to 17th place in his first full season in charge, Jolley’s troops were 11th heading into the weekend. Scoring goals was a problem last term – Grimsby netted 45 in 46 games – but they are looking more potent this time around.
They had notched 15 goals from their opening nine games, towering striker James Hanson leading the way with five. That was enough for the 31-year-old, signed from AFC Wimbledon this summer, to land the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award for August.
Perhaps he more than anyone will be looking forward to the trip to Chelsea, having played for Bradford in their stunning 4-2 FA Cup fourth round victory at Stamford Bridge in 2015.
“James has been an important signing for us,” said Jolley. “He’s an experienced player and he’s even had the experience of winning a cup-tie at Chelsea. In League Two, he’s a very difficult player to play against.”
In midweek, the Mariners slipped to a 1-0 defeat at EFL newcomers Salford City. They were left frustrated when Jordan Cook’s free-kick was ruled out seemingly on the advice of the fourth official because striker Matt Green was too close to the defensive wall. New regulations brought in this season mean that attackers have to be at least one metre away.
Jolley added: “We were less disappointed about the fact Matt was too close to the wall – because he was – than the fact there were plenty of other decisions that went against us, but the fourth official didn’t intervene. It seems strange he would intervene for one decision and not another.”