IT'S easy to guess what's at the top of most Grimsby Town fans' wish lists this Christmas.
No, not a 2012 calendar from the clubs shop's bargain bin, but to hold on to as many of the Mariners' loan stars as possible.
Since their arrival in Cleethorpes, Nathan Pond, Ross Hannah, Scott Neilson and Marcus Marshall have added real quality to what was an already competitive squad.
With them in the side, the Mariners look like genuine promotion contenders this season and the Blundell Park faithful must be hoping that they stick around to help them live up to that tag in the new year.
Fellow loanee Michael Rankine has also added a physical presence to the Mariners front-line, although it's fair to say the jury is still out on the powerful Aldershot man.
This week, it's been revealed that both Ross Hannah and Scott Neilson can both leave their respective clubs – Bradford City and Crawley Town – in January.
However, Town will have to stump up a fee to keep hold of Hannah while joint-boss Paul Hurst acknowledged that there are also 'issues' to be overcome in order for any deal for Neilson to happen.
Nathan Pond's parent club, Fleetwood Town, have only just appointed a new manager in Graham Alexander and so it remains to be seen if the centre half is in the new boss' plans.
For his part, Marcus Marshall has said he wouldn't be against extending his stay with the Mariners from Bury – so it would appear that deals for all four could be possible.
Personally, I think that the signatures of Town's loan rangers could be key to the Mariners' success this season.
Hannah is easily one of the deadliest finishers in the division, and is therefore unsurprisingly the club's top scorer with seven goals.
Marshall and Neilson give the Mariners verve and guile on the flanks, and, when they drift in from wide areas, can offer a goal threat.
Pond has been an integral part of the foundations on which Town have built their solid start to the season, after forging a formidable partnership at the heart of a miserly back four alongside Shaun Pearson.
If Town can pull off deals for all four, it would be a huge boost going into the New Year – one that could prove pivotal in helping the club to achieve its promotion aims this season.
