So Friday marks the return of the football for us City fans. I think I speak for all of us when I say it's good to have something to cheer about because the wait has been painful at best. Most Premier League clubs go through the close season with at least a few concrete transfer speculations, yet we've only had the first real snippets from Steve himself early this week, confirming he's trying to sign Bordeux captain Lamine Sane and free agent Hal Robson Kanu. Meanwhile many of our rivals (but not all) have kicked into gear and made some pretty interesting signings. City, on the other hand, look like they're going to begin pre-season looking pretty much the same as they did when they left Wembley stadium six weeks ago (sans Aluko and Taylor). An unusual move, perhaps, but given the uncertainty around the club it can be forgiven slightly. I'm sure it's all under control and while it is a little disappointing that we go into our first pre-season game with the same squad from last season, we at least get a chance to see how the lads are looking. Lest we forget, most of this lot are good enough to play in the Premier League already (only a few of them haven't), so while the initial disappointment of not seeing some breaking transfer news on Sky Sports might sting a little, we are at least safe in the knowledge that the spine of our team is of proven quality in the top flight and it won't take much in the way of transfer funds to tweak it. So then. A trip across the bridge to our wonderful smelling neighbours in Cleethorpes on Friday starts it off, with a game against Conference Premier side (still feels weird saying it) North Ferriby United the following day. Grimsby have had a fairly active start to their pre season, signing no less than 11 players (one of whom is the half brother of our own Moses Odubajo) and have set about trying to create a team that are capable of pushing on through the division. Luke Summerfield from York City (one of three that used to play there) is an astute signing and provides balance in the midfield, while winger Ashley Chambers joins for his second spell after leaving relegated Dagenham. They shouldn't put up too much of a fight and there aren't really any players that should trouble us. XI to face Grimsby: Jakupovic Odubajo Davies Dawson Robertson Diame Livermore Huddlestone Snodgrass Elmo Hernandez Subs: Kuciak, Meyler, Maguire, Dio, Clucas, Maloney, Lenihan, Olley, Luer, Tymon The trip to Ferriby on the Saturday is an intriguing one. Ferriby have had a turbulent summer themselves and have appointed a manager from a mediocre side with no experience of the top tier of non-league football. With promotion to the Conference came a lot of optimism, until it dawned on them that the majority of teams visiting Grange Lane are full time, former football league clubs. There will be blood. Nevertheless, Steve Housham has set about trying to sign players he thinks will give it a go, especially considering most of the promotion winning side have followed Billy Heath to Halifax, including 19 goal giant striker Tom Denton, former City player Nathan Hotte and influential midfielder Liam King. Add to that the departure of player of the season Ash Palmer to Guiseley and the retirement (although he has joined the backroom staff as goalkeeping coach) of star goalkeeper Adam Nicklin and Steve's got a proper job on his hands. Utility player Stephen Brogan is an excellent signing, while local lad (and former City player) Simon Russell brings football league experience to the midfield and pacey striker Connor Robinson should get a few goals. Again, there isn't much to trouble City, but as this team will be made up of mostly youth players, trialists and non Grimsby playing lads, we will still have to be careful against a side that seem to get better every time we play them. XI to face Ferriby: Mannion Lenihan Maguire Rodgers Tymon Annan Pugh Hamilton Batty Bowen ter Horst
I will go to both with the Grandson. GY have bought a lot of new players, in fact it was mentioned that the GY fans who attended their first warm up game against Cleethorpes knew more players in the Cleethorpes team than in the GY side.
