THE Mariners are ready for another tough, physical test when they visit Mansfield Town tomorrow (3pm).
Following the Boxing Day derby drubbing of Lincoln, Grimsby Town head to Field Mill aiming to cling on to top spot.
And joint manager Rob Scott believes the Stags, like the Imps, will be big, strong and direct.
"We've got a very tough trip to Mansfield and we know the type of game they'll play," he said.
"It's very similar to what we came up against on Wednesday and we'll have to be on our mettle once again.
"Then we go into the reverse fixture against Lincoln and they'll be fired up on the back of Boxing Day's result to put that one right.
"So we've got some tough games, but every game is going to be tough when you're top of the league because everybody wants to beat you."
Scott believes that August's 4-1 defeat of the Stags at Blundell Park – Town's first victory of the season – will provide tomorrow's hosts will extra motivation to topple the league leaders.
"They've got the best home record in the league and they'll look to put the reverse fixture to bed by turning us over," he added. "They're on a decent run and have got Liverpool in the FA Cup, so they've got things on their minds but are also looking at their league form.
"We know we're going to be in a game, as the boys were on Wednesday. They knew they were going to be in a really tough battle and that proved to be the case.
"We know what to expect, the players know what to expect and that will be reinforced before we go there tomorrow. It will be a very hard game mentally and physically."
Full-back Sam Hatton is a doubt for the encounter after picking up a knee injury at Lincoln.
And Scott admits that other changes may have to be made due to the hectic nature of the festive and New Year fixture programme.
"Sam's carrying something," he said. "Very early on against Lincoln he made a good tackle and said he felt something on the side of his knee.
"He thinks it's more of a nerve thing because it's running up to the side of his hip, so hopefully that will ease off.
"We have to be mindful of the amount of games, so there may be changes and that won't be due to performances – it will be due to the amount of games that we have.
"It's difficult when players find themselves out of the team and it's not always about performance. We have got a hell of a lot of games and, with the weather we've had, the pitches are getting heavier, which doesn't help."
