Ian Holloway Pre-Stevenage Press Conference

Grimsby Town manager Ian Holloway says he will continue to work on his side’s structure, ahead of tomorrow’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Stevenage at Blundell Park (7.45pm).

The Mariners host Graham Westley’s side, who are currently bottom of the league, tomorrow.

And Holloway has put an extra emphasis on Town’s structure, following the 3-2 defeat to Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.

He said: “We’ve watched the Crawley game back and looked at the patterns we were making – with and without the ball.

“I thought we did really well at times, and there’s a common thing that I want to get through to them – structure.

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“They’re part of building us a structure – when we’re attacking, when we’re defending – there is no time to not think.

“It’s all new at the minute, and it’s been a bit strange – I’ve already had four centre-halves and two different left-backs during my time here so far.

“But you need a defensive line, a midfield line, and a forward line – and, when you’re attacking, those lines might change with the numbers in them, but you need the lines to be there.

“Our structure was wrong for their equalising goal, and it’s not just the back lads – you need the midfield structure, and we’ve got to realise how quickly the opposition can take over.

“But I was more than happy with it – there were more than enough forward steps in that match to see the work that we had done in the week.

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“And we’ll bounce back and keep going because it’s about the performance, and I thought that was a much better performance than I’ve seen from us in any of the games I’ve been in charge of so far.

“Those results don’t matter at the end of it all, if you’re getting better and better, because performances bring you results at the end of the day.”

Holloway says the focus will be on his own side’s performance in tomorrow’s clash with the Boro.

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He said: “I’ve already had discussions about what shape they’ll play, but you never know.

“Graham Westley is a very highly-motivated fellow – he’s been a very successful manager and businessman.

“And he’ll be right in their ribs because they weren’t happy with what happened to them at the weekend.

“But it’s about us. We’ll have a big crowd and I want a performance.

“We’ve had two wins, one draw, and two defeats from our previous five games now, and I think we deserved at least another two draws from the two games we lost.

“I think there’s been a hell of an uplift in the levels of how the players are, how they feel, and particularly their confidence because I’m telling them the truth.”

And the Town boss revealed that he still hopes to make a couple a couple of new signings before the January transfer window deadline on Friday at 11pm.

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He said: “If I can bring in some more competition then I will.

“I’ve still got another week, and I’ve got a couple of things which might happen.

“And then I’ll know that all bases are covered and then I can calm down and concentrate on teaching my lads what that they need to learn.”

Luke Waterfall returns from suspension for tomorrow’s game against Stevenage, and Matt Green may be available after almost a month out with injury.

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