We analyse Grimsby Town's form so far this season, take a look at some previous encounters, identify the key man for the hosts and also profile the man at the helm…
Mid-table Mariners...
Grimsby Town have made a steady start to the season and currently sit in 13th place ahead of the weekend's game in the north-east - five wins, five losses and two draws see the side on 17 points with 12 league matches gone so far.
Russell Slade's men began the campaign with a 3-1 win away to Chesterfield, but then went five games with a victory in all competitions and had to wait until the start of September for their next win - a 1-0 home success over Crewe Alexandra.
Back to back wins then followed with a 2-1 success at Accrington Stanley before a home triumph over Yeovil Town by the same scoreline four days later at Blundell Park.
Last time out the side were 2-1 winners over Port Vale at Vale Park.
Win and a draw...
The Reds claimed four points from their two meetings with Grimsby Town last season. The game at the Checkatrade Stadium ended in 3-2 win with goals from James Collins and a brace from Jordan Roberts cancelling out Omar Bogle's brace.
Roberts' converted from the edge of the are for his first before then scoring the side's third of the afternoon directly from a corner.
The game at Blundell Park ended all square in a 1-1 draw with James Collins cancelling put Sam Jones' opener in the first half.
Keep an eye on...
Sam Jones has five goals in eight league apperances so far this season for the Mariners - including last Saturday in the aforementioned win over Port Vale. He's also notched in the away wins over Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley, as well as the 2-2 draw at home to Colchester United.
Nine goals in the first half of the 2016/17 campaign resulted in a move from Gateshead to Grimsby Town for the striker, before he hit a further seven goals for his new club in the latter half of last season - meaning the 26 year-old managed 16 goals in all competitions last term.
At the helm...
Russell Slade returned to Grimsby Town in April 2017 for a second spell in charge of the club. He actually began the 2016/17 campaign at The Valley in charge of Charlton Athletic, but a run of just four wins in 16 matches meant that he left the club in November last year.
He would then move on to the Ricoh Arena and Coventry City, but he was unable to steer the side away from the bottom of League One and after just three wins in 16 matches.
He enjoyed success at Scarborough in his first professional managerial post, and also took charge of the Mariners for two season - the second of which was the 2005/06 campaign where he guided the side to the play-off final against Cheltenham Town - a game which the team lost at the Millenium Stadium - it attracted the attention of League One side Yeovil Town.
Slade also took Leyton Orient to the League One play-offs and has also been incharge at Cardiff City in the Championship too.
Making the trip?
Click here for the ticket prices for the game at Blundell Park this weekend.
