Mariners Preview

Last updated : 02 March 2003 By @blades_mad1889

The Blades last game was defiantly a memorable one, United had lost four league games previous to playing Rotherham United away and they knew that if they were to keep their play-off chances a live they would need to win this game. It was the Blades who won the game, 2-1. United opened the scoring with a Michael Brown penalty after Steve Kabba was brought down while Kabba later scored the second before Alan Lee scored a consolation penalty for the Millers.

United shouldn't have any players missing from that victory over the Millers but Michael Tonge is still out with a injury. United did though welcome back Phil Jagielka and Dean Windass to the squad after they returned from injury and it is probable that they will start against the Mariners.

Within the Blades line-up, Mariners fans need no introduction on who Steve Kabba is. Kabba was previously on loan at Blundell Park for several months this season, he played just 16 games where he scored 6 goals, United will be looking for him to put one over his old club.

Blades Possible Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Phil Jagielka, Shaun Murphy, Robert Page, Rob Kozluk, Peter Ndlovu, Stuart McCall, Michael Brown, Nick Montgomery, Dean Windass, Steve Kabba.

The fans of the Mariners must have been wondering what was happening to them last Saturday as they crashed 2-0 against Coventry City at home. The opening goal came just after 17 minutes when Ford bundled the ball home in to his own goal while Ford gave

away a penalty in second half where Eustace gladly took and scored from it!

Both Alan Pouton and Darren Mansaram hope to be fit and in the starting line-up after sustaining a injury against Ipswich Town while Steve Livingston is back after a three match suspension.

The Mariners defence has been highlighted as the weak point on several occasions this season. The lack of real pace down the left side (Tony Gallimore) is a constant worry, as is the inability to defend in the last 10 minutes of the game (Bramall Lane early in the season a classic example).

Their star player though is John Oster, who is currently on loan from Sunderland. Oster started his career with Grimsby but they decided to cash in on the young striker as he moved to Everton before joining Mackens. He loves to run at defenders and his five goals in ten games speaks for itself.

Mariners Possible Line-Up: Danny Coyne,John McDermott, Tony Gallimore, Georges Santos, Simon Ford, John Oster, Stuart Campbell, Richard Hughes, Alan Pouton, Steve Livingstone, Michael Boulding.

Our annual visit to Blundell Park was very much hell last season as United lost 1-0 to a Stuart Campbell goal with 15 minutes left of the game.

Prediction: Grimsby Town 0-1 Sheffield United