19 December 2003
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| Paul Groves |
 When you look around the country at any team and then take somebody as important as Alan out, then you'll miss him
|
Paul Groves believes Alan Pouton is
as important to Grimsby Town as Roy Keane is to Premiership champions Manchester
United. Inspirational midfielder Pouton will start his first Blundell Park match
for nine months against Wrexham tomorrow.
He played his first game of the season after summer knee surgery in the 10-man,
0-0 draw at Bournemouth last week.
And Groves believes the Geordie is almost indispensable to the Mariners.
"When you look around the country at any team and then take somebody as
important as Alan out, then you'll miss him," said Groves.
"I don't want to say Roy Keane because people will say that 'he's not Roy
Keane'. But in terms of people's stature in the team and on the pitch, that's
what he is for us."
Groves will wheel out his midfield enforcers tomorrow as Jason Crowe sits out
with a surprise one-match ban that only came to light when the Football League
confirmation came through earlier this week.
That means a central midfield partnership of Pouton and Des Hamilton.
"We're fortunate that Alan has come back now. He came in and made a difference
at Bournemouth and Des did quite well when he came on.
"He put himself around so it leaves it open for those two to forge a
partnership. When you look at them physically, they're both powerful lads. It's
a big opportunity for them.
"Alan is Alan. There was a 12-hour journey there and back last week and he's
non-stop with his banter. He goes on the field and he makes a difference."
At 26, Groves believes the best of Pouton could be yet to come and hailed his
growing maturity - highlighted by his failure to react to the two-footed tackle
that saw Brian Stock red-carded at Bournemouth.
"We need to keep him fit and we need him to produce the goods he's capable of.
I'm sure he'll get a great reception tomorrow.
"He's well-liked by the fans and he can help turn the noise up. The big thing is
that hopefully he's learned from the injuries he's had.
"He's 26/27 and he's maturing now. He's shown that in the Reserve games and in
the controlled manner in which he's gone about his business in training.
"Perhaps we're just asking him to be that little bit more controlled in some
situations. When you look at the tackle last week at Bournemouth, he hasn't
reacted at all, even though he was on the floor.
"He knows it's about getting his fitness levels up and not getting the little
bumps and bruises along the way. He knows that has to be done.
"In the Reserves he hasn't got involved in any fracas. But when he gets out
there tomorrow you don't want Alan to change in any way."
The Town boss admits that Pouton must learn to channel his aggression in a bid
to get the most from the former York City man whose Mariners' career has been
blighted by injury.
"He's still confrontational but that's one of his big strengths. It's just a
case of channelling it in the right manner. The key thing is keeping him fit.
"If we can keep Alan Pouton fit then he will certainly add to the squad."
