Iwan Morgan admits he is eager to establish himself in the Grimsby Town side after making a positive start to life at Blundell Park.
The forward joined the Mariners from Brentford during the summer and has made a number of appearances from the bench during the opening weeks of the season, while also making his first start in Town’s 2-2 draw at Accrington Stanley.
Now settled into his new surroundings, Morgan believes he is beginning to understand exactly what is expected of him under David Artell and is determined to make the most of his opportunities.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Morgan said. “It’s been a positive start.
“I’m trying to impact the game, mostly from the bench at the minute, but hopefully soon I can work my way back into the team and become a consistent player. I’ve enjoyed it and it’s been good to learn different things.”
Having spent much of his development at Brentford, Morgan says adapting to a different style of football has been one of the most interesting aspects of his move to Lincolnshire.
“I’ve not really played that kind of style of football where, if it’s out wide, we’re trying to create patterns of play. Normally it would just ‘be direct, beat my man’, so it’s nice to have different noises and different voices around you.
“I was at Brentford for a long time, so hearing the same voices sometimes is a good thing, but hearing it from someone like the gaffer, who’s so experienced in the game, has been a really good start.”
Morgan has been keen to make an impact whenever he has been introduced from the bench, with the forward explaining that his immediate focus has been on helping Town secure positive results.
“For me, it’s more about when I’m coming on, how can I make sure we get the three points or we don’t lose? It’s just trying to impact the game.
“I thought my first start against Accrington Stanley, I did well. I just tried to create an impact, especially as a young player who’s been on the bench and wants to start games.
“You want to be showing why you want to be starting, and I think it was a good opportunity to show myself to the fans and what I’m capable of.”
Morgan admits the following game at Cheltenham Town was more difficult personally, but believes there is plenty of time for him to continue developing.
“Cheltenham was a difficult game for myself. I struggled a little bit, but I’m only going to learn. I’m young, so I’ve got time.
“I’m hoping to play more and then the fans will see a lot more of me.”
Finding his feet
Morgan has also been working hard away from the pitch since arriving at Blundell Park, with the forward feeling the benefits of the changes he has made to his fitness.
“The shape I’m in at the minute, the club have really helped me to lose a little bit of weight and slim down a bit. I can feel that in myself. I feel more energised around the place, feel more happy since coming here.
“I’ve been a bit more bubbly, being myself. For me, I’ve just got to keep that up and then, for something to work on, just try and get back in that team, try and get as fit as possible and make sure I’m in the best condition.
“So, when my chance does come, I’m there to take it and hopefully then I wouldn’t leave the team.”
Morgan has been impressed by Town’s start to the campaign, with David Artell’s side still unbeaten after their opening five league games.
“We haven’t lost. That’s a positive sign. One thing that you can’t argue is the heart of the team, the heart of the club.
“Especially Cheltenham, 2-0 down at half-time, we took a response to stay together, be a team and fight, and we managed to come away with a point.”
The forward believes Town have shown their attacking quality but admits there is still room for improvement in front of goal.
“Most teams when they play against us are very defensive, so we’ve dominated a lot of games. You could say, ‘Oh yeah, we’ve drawn three games 2-2,’ so it’s a positive that we can score goals as well.
“But I think we can, especially as a front line, be more clinical and more ruthless in front of goal. At the end of the day, we haven’t lost. We’re still undefeated.
“Some points are better than no points. If we can keep that going, keep that desire and keep that hunger to want to push forward and want to go and win the league, we’ll be all good.”
Settling into the Mariners
Morgan has also enjoyed his introduction to life in the local area and admits the level of support from Mariners fans has exceeded his expectations.
“The support is really good. Better than I imagined, better than I thought.
“The gaffer did say there was going to be a lot of noise, but I didn’t really believe him. And then that first game…”
The forward says supporters have made him feel welcome away from the pitch too.
“They’ve been very welcoming, the fans.
“Especially if I’ve been out with the boys, either getting food or just having time to ourselves, they’ve been very polite and I’m really grateful for that. It can be hard, especially when you have such fans who want us to do well and want us to go and win the league.
“It’s nice that they’re understanding that we’re still human beings and not robots.”
Morgan has also been building relationships with his new teammates, including a number of players he is living alongside.
“I’ve got to know a few of the players well, especially living with a few of the boys and just getting to know them on a daily basis. As a new kid, that’s all you’ve got to try and do. Try and build relationships on and off the field and hopefully you get to build a bond.
“I see these boys as my brothers, so for the next three years, they’ll be my brothers.”
Learning from the coaching staff
Morgan has been equally impressed by the coaching staff at Blundell Park and believes the experience within the group is helping him develop as a player.
“They’ve all got experiences that I can learn from. They’ve all been in positions that I want to be in, so I’d be stupid not to learn from them and try to ask questions and try to learn as much as I can.
But it’s a good group. Good group of staff.”
He says the coaching team’s honesty has been particularly valuable as he adapts to senior football.
“They’re real down-to-earth people, which at a club you need sometimes. When people are feeding you a bit of rubbish, they’re down to earth. If you’re not doing things right, they’ll tell you.
“But once you are doing things right, they stay positive. So they all complement each other well. It’s a good group of coaches.”
Facing the league leaders
Next up for Town is a lunchtime meeting with Bristol Rovers, who arrive at Blundell Park top of League Two.
Morgan expects a competitive contest but believes Town are more than capable of taking all three points.
“They’re top of the league and we want to be top of the league. We want to be there, so it’ll be a good test for us. I think it’ll be a very even game.
“They’ve got good players, just like we do, so I think it’ll come down to maybe a bit of individual quality. It’ll be a good test to see where we are.”
Morgan has also faced Steve Evans’ side before during his time with Shrewsbury Town and knows exactly what to expect.
“He’s a very hardworking coach. That’s one thing I realised last year. He’s very demanding from his players. They’re a team that create big chances for themselves. They’ve got good attacking strikers and wingers. They’re direct, so that’s what they’re going to want. They’re going to want the game to be chaos.
“So, it’s how do we manage that and how do we come out on the other side?”
With Rovers currently leading the way in League Two, Morgan believes Saturday provides Town with an opportunity to make a statement.
“You want to be the best in this league and to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. If they’re the best at the minute, then we’re the ones chasing them. We’ve got to get right after them and take that first position back.”
Waiting for that first goal
Morgan’s determination to establish himself in the starting XI is matched by his desire to open his Town account.
The forward came close to scoring his first goal against Accrington and admits it is something that has been on his mind.
“As a striker, that’s all you want to do is score goals. Do I see myself as a player to score more goals? Of course.
“But the reason why the gaffer wanted me at this club is to score goals. I’d be lying if I haven’t said it would be playing on my mind. Against Accrington I was going to get a goal, got denied. I’ve had chances against a few teams.
“For me, I’ve just got to stay patient, stay relaxed and just know in that moment when a chance does come, trust my ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
“But yeah, it’s brewing.”
Morgan is determined, however, to show supporters there is more to his game than simply scoring goals.
“I’m hoping the club, the fans and players see me as more than just a goalscorer.
“But yeah, hopefully we’ll be having another conversation soon with that first one going in the back of the net.”
You can watch Iwan’s pre-match interview here:
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