SKYBet League Two’s game of the day on Saturday sees third placed Gillingham head North to face fifth placed Grimsby Town, with stand-in boss Richard Dobson looking forward to the task ahead. 

Speaking at this week’s briefing, he told KSN, “They are a good side and they are towards the top of the league for a reason,” he said.

“I watched their game against Manchester United in the (Carabao) Cup earlier in the season and they were excellent on the night and fully deserved the win.”

“We know the threats that they pose – they have a bright attacking front five so it will be a good test for us, but we have had a good look them and hopefully we can expose some of their weaknesses so I am expecting it to be a good game!” 

Grimsby go into the game having lost their last two but that came after putting seven past Cheltenham.

“They are certainly an interesting side,” Dobson said, “We have watched several of their games so far this season, and if you play the game on their terms, they are good.”

“They struggle a little if teams play them on their terms – I think there was a 3-0 loss to Barnet in there for example – so we have had a good look at what those teams have done to Grimsby and see if we can learn a little bit about that!” 

Reflecting on Saturday’s draw with Cheltenham at MEMS Priestfield – Dobson’s first home game in temporary charge with Gareth Ainsworth still recovering at home – he told us, “I actually said to the boys about a month ago that as we progress towards the top of the League, the next phase for us is going to look that we will have to beat low blocked teams particularly at home and that’s exactly what happened last week!”

“It came as no surprise and we have actually been working on it – I think the really encouraging thing at the weekend was the amount of chances that we created – the amount of balls that we got into good areas and I think all that was missing was the finishing touch.”

“We looked at it again and the chances that we missed and it was one of those that “how did we miss that one?” or “how did we miss that one?” It was just one of those days as it could easily have been four or five on the day.”

“So, I do think the work that we have done on the training ground is starting to reap its benefits and I must admit that last Tuesday’s session was right up there amongst one of the best I have seen in twenty-five years of coaching!” 

“I talk about belief with the boys, and we are in a decent position at the moment so it’s now a lack of belief! When they start to believe just how good they can be and take the shackles off as I saw them do on Tuesday, then I am looking forward for the fans to see that version of us!” 

Dobson confirmed that Josh Andrews is available again after serving his suspension. “Josh gives us another option in attack – it’s an area we seem pretty strong in at the moment,” Dobson admitted, “It’s a nice problem to have – different types of players, different types of doing it and it’s always good to be able to have that up your sleeve!” 

He then went on to update a few of the others currently on the treatment table and started with good news – skipper Armani Little is back in training and may be involved at the weekend!

“We’ve missed him,” Dobson said, “Leadership and his strong influence amongst the group so we will see what role he has at the weekend.”