Town's keeper crisis as Kenny Arthur ruled out for at least a month
GRIMSBY Town boss Neil Woods faces a goalkeeping selection crisis for today's clash against Histon at Blundell Park.
First-choice stopper Kenny Arthur injured his hamstring in the 4-1 defeat at Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday and could be ruled out for six to eight weeks.
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Injured Town keeper Kenny Arthur gets help from assistant manager and physio Dave Moore a t Nene Park on Saturday.
Nick Colgan remains unavailable with a sore elbow and the Telegraph understands Woods is unable to recruit a new goalkeeper on loan until tomorrow at the earliest.
The manager said his only two options could be Youth stopper Rob Peet – who played for the seniors in pre-season – or goalkeeping coach Steve Croudson, whose last competitive match was for Stevenage Borough six years ago.
Woods said: "Kenny has pulled his hamstring by the look of it.
"We'll have to give it time to settle down but a pulled hamstring would be six to eight weeks out.
"Nick went to see a specialist and will not be available.
"We now have two options. We either put the young lad Rob Peet in goal or we put goalkeeping coach Steve Croudson in.
"We will try to pursue other options but I think it's doubtful.
"I don't know who of the two I'll opt for at this moment."
Woods was highly critical of the Mariners' display in Northamptonshire on Saturday, saying striker Tom Corner produced the best individual performance after he came on as a substitute 15 minutes from full-time.
His team will be under pressure from an expectant home crowd to hit back against struggling Histon today.
Woods went on: "Words can't say how disappointed I was with the performance on Saturday.
"I'd love to say that the result wasn't a clear indication of the game but it was. They were brighter than us, more competitive and showed more desire.
"Those three things are not acceptable in a football club. By a long way it was the worst performance of the season so far.
"The only player that played particularly well was Tom Corner. He won more headers after he came on than anyone else on the pitch.
"That tells you how woeful the display was. The players have a point to prove today. They know Saturday wasn't acceptable and what they've been brought to the club to do.
"Some of the supporters will come to vent their opinions today and if they paid to come and watch that on Saturday then they have every right too.
"The players have to be strong enough characters to deal with it as we all do.
"There will be pressure on the players. There is pressure on them in every game given the size of the club and where we are.
"We've got two home games now and we've got to put six points on the board and put in performances that warrant winning the points."
8 Comments
by Steve, Great Grimsby
Monday, August 30 2010, 7:28PM
“Why is everyone moaning?????? We're not going to win every game and we are going to lose a few, one more win and we would have been joint top!!!! when was the last time you could say that? Damn shame it's the BSP but it's not looking too bad so far. Very worried about the lack of a fit keeper though, Woodsy definately needs to buy a number 2 for Arthur or at the very least get a very good loan in to keep us in touch at the top.”
by Sad Steve, Edinburgh
Monday, August 30 2010, 4:01PM
“Will, gy
Your complacency is exactly the kind of (un)thinking that is only going to result in things getting worse and worse. Woods is no Buckley or Wenger. OK its only 5 games into the season - but he should never have got the job in the first place (should have got Slade back); he should have been sacked last season or at least at the end of it; and he has shown absolutely no signs of being able to motivate the players or coach them in any kind of effective team play, strategy or tactics. We are mid table BUT IS IS THE BLUE SQUARE!! For God's sake we should be romping every game 5-0 not getting thrashed by Rushden and Diamonds. It's like a bus company saying "OK - The driver was totally inexperienced and couldn't drive resulting in him smashing into the petrol station with all passengers killed. But we have to stick with him because its too early to see how well he will do. Changing drivers now would be foolish - that's not how Ferrari acted with Schumacher". Annoying beyond belief.”
by will, gy
Monday, August 30 2010, 1:52PM
“how many times a season do you have to bring a keeper off the bench?
calling for a managers head 5 games into a season is unforgivable. were mid table and still adjusting to this division.
no wonder this club is where it is, if we dont learn from past mistakes. sacking buckley 2 games into the season in 2001 was stupidity of epic proportions.
since arsene wenger joined arsenal we have had 10-11 managers, during really think any manager could reverse the slide this club has had over the last decade in only a few months?
mourinho couldnt do it”
by allan, grimsby
Monday, August 30 2010, 11:24AM
“would the score be much different if we didn't have a goal keeper ?”
by Andy, Gy
Monday, August 30 2010, 11:20AM
“THE IDIOT THAT IS WOODS STRIKES AGAIN-I'am not using a second goalkeeper it gives me more out field option's on the bench blah blah blah.Not only as this already back fired as on saturtday when we did not have a No 2 on the bench thus allowing 3 easy goals for the dags as Arthur was injured and unable to prevent any of the goals and the fact he played a full half injured as now probably prolonged his comeback and done more damage than good.I put it to you Mr Woods you've been gaught out yet again and you are well and truely out of your depth jump ship before your pushed.”
by Martin Lister, Oxford
Monday, August 30 2010, 11:04AM
“Pay Colgan off as you have done with other players this summer and buy a decent under study for Arthur. At the moment there is no competition for the No1 position. The whole team were very poor and very dissapointing against Rushden.”
by John, GY
Monday, August 30 2010, 9:50AM
“Neil Woods; y don't ya just stick a big fat bloke between the sticks, 3 course meal at half time & a 5 course meal at full time, this would be a good pay day for the fat lad.”
by southern mariner, the south
Monday, August 30 2010, 9:38AM
“Stick mighty in goal!!!! Ok I'd go for stevie, he wont be able to move after game but he'll have nothing to do all week in training. Or anyone whos going today bring your gloves n boots. UTM”