Groves not panicking

Last updated : 22 August 2003 By Site Staff
Town have yet to win this season despite holding leads in all three games with ill discipline playing a vital role in the downfall.

With two games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend, Groves will keep the same team for Luton and then implement any necessary changes for the Wycombe game.

Groves has now called on his players to show their true potential over the course of 90 minutes, rather than in occasional flashes.

"It's a big weekend for us," he told the Grimsby Telegraph. It was nice to get a point on the board in the first game, but now we need a win and we'll be looking for it.

"Three points will give us a bit of confidence and that will play a major part in how we go forward into this season.

"We've had flashes and little spells but not enough when you consider what this side is capable of doing.

"We can't play in flashes because we're capable of a lot. That's what I'm looking for tomorrow."

Groves has also backed the defensive partnership of Simon Ford and Tony Crane, an area many feel isn't experienced enough to work.

"There have been spells where we haven't done ourselves any favours and we need to get the basics right," Groves added.

"If we put in a decent performance anything like what we're capable of then we'll get a result.

"It's not just the centre halves. The numbers on the pitch have been a factor when we've conceded goals and it's a team responsibility.

"Is it too easy to expose the two centre-backs or the full-backs? We have to protect the side from the front.

"It takes time for everyone to gel and, though we keep harping on about it, we've brought in seven new players and you can't expect them to click after three games.

"We've brought in some good, ambitious, players. People want instant success but you don't always get it.

"There's a level of expectation in the dressing room and they're putting pressure on themselves to do really well.

"When players settle in fully we'll see them relax and be confident."