David Artell says the Mariners must respond to their current injury crisis by embracing the challenge ahead as Town prepare to travel to Rochdale in Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday evening.
Town head into the fixture looking to end a run of four consecutive league defeats, with a growing list of defensive injuries presenting another challenge for the head coach and his squad.
Artell confirmed that Edon Pruti underwent surgery following the injury sustained at the weekend and has been discharged from hospital, while Doug Tharme is due to undergo a scan after suffering a suspected hamstring injury – similar to the one he previously sustained, but on the opposite side.
Despite the setbacks, the head coach insisted that his focus remains firmly on the players available for selection, urging them to rise to the occasion and reproduce the performance levels shown during the stronger spells of Saturday’s game against Northampton Town.
Artell also discussed the importance of supporting players through a difficult run of results, drawing parallels with last season’s turnaround, praised the backing of the Mariners’ supporters and shared his hopes for this evening’s Emirates FA Cup first-round draw.
Here’s everything the head coach had to say ahead of Tuesday’s fixture…
On Edon Pruti’s injury and recovery
Artell visited Pruti in hospital following Saturday’s match and confirmed that the defender underwent surgery on Monday, with the procedure going to plan.
The head coach explained that Pruti has since been discharged, but faces an extended period on the sidelines as he begins his recovery.
“I went to the hospital after the game and saw him. His dad was there, his brother and his girlfriend, and his mum was already on the train on the way up from London.
“I spent a couple of hours with him and he was as you’d expect him to be. He had an operation yesterday, he’s been discharged at lunchtime today, and it’s gone to plan.
“He’s got a rod down the middle of his leg, so he’ll be out for an extended period because it’s not a good one. But I’m sure we’ll see him soon.
“I told him that he’ll be able to get us out of the way for a week or two in the next few weeks with his girlfriend, his family or whoever he chooses, and then he’ll be back in and getting ready to play. It’s a fairly long road to recovery.”
On Doug Tharme’s fitness
Town are also awaiting further information on Tharme, who is due to undergo a scan after sustaining an injury at the weekend.
Artell believes the defender may have suffered an injury similar to his previous problem, but on the opposite side, and stressed that the Club will wait for the results before confirming the extent of the issue.
“He’s going for a scan this afternoon, so we’ll know more.
“We think it’s the same injury, but on the other side to what he had before, so he’ll be out for an extended period as well. But we’ll wait until the scan comes back so we get a full picture.”
On the defensive injury crisis
With seven of Town’s 10 defenders either injured or seemingly unavailable for Tuesday’s trip, Artell acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing his side but believes the situation provides an opportunity for others to step forward.
The head coach pointed to the way his players have responded when faced with adversity during his time at the Club, insisting that reproducing the best aspects of Saturday’s performance will give the Mariners a strong chance of getting a positive result.
“I think it’s a great challenge. People get a chance to step up and go to the well. I think the players do that really, really well.
“When the backs have been against the wall, since I’ve been here, they’ve come out really well. Circumstances dictate that we’ve got our backs against the wall at the minute with all the injuries.
“If we play as well as we did on Saturday, apart from that 20-minute spell in the first half, then we’ll be fine. It’s as simple as that.
“We were much better on Saturday than we have been against Shrewsbury and in that first half against Port Vale. We’ve got to play like we did on Saturday, and if we do that, we’ll win games of football.”
On the importance of character and mentality
Artell believes difficult periods provide an opportunity to discover more about the character of individuals and the collective strength of the squad.
With so many players unavailable, the head coach was keen to emphasise that his priority is supporting those who are fit and ready to represent the Mariners, rather than dwelling on the circumstances surrounding the injury list.
He also insisted that the players must embrace the challenge rather than allow the situation to become an excuse.
“Sometimes, when you’re up against the wall, you find out about players’ characters. You find out more about yourselves individually and collectively as a team in times like this.
“We could all mope and complain, but I’ve never been one to complain about injuries because I think it’s disrespectful to the players who are going to put on the black and white stripes tomorrow night.
“My focus is much rather on them, and that’s always been the case. It’s not to disrespect anyone who’s injured or forget about them, but the priority now is the fit players, and that’s where the focus should be.
“We all know that we’re absolutely decimated by injuries, but that’s part of the game.
“I’m pretty certain Rochdale won’t feel sorry for us tomorrow night, so if we’re feeling sorry for ourselves, that’s not a good place to be. We’ve got to roll our sleeves up and get on with it.”
On learning from last season’s turnaround
Town experienced a difficult run of results last season before producing an impressive turnaround that ultimately saw them collect more league points than any other side in the division from late December until the end of the campaign.
Artell recalled how a late moment against Shrewsbury Town helped change the direction of the season, stressing that football can turn quickly and that the Mariners must maintain their belief in the work they are doing.
The head coach believes there are lessons to be taken from that period as Town look to arrest their current slide.
“Last year, it took one moment. We did well against Oldham on Boxing Day, against a really tough team. We didn’t deserve to be in the position we were in, and some of the games in that run were ridiculous.
“Saturday was the same. Everything about that game that could have gone wrong went wrong, really. That happens in professional sport. Did we deserve what we got? Probably not, but that’s the reality of it.
“It took one moment against Shrewsbury, in added time, to change our fortunes. We then went on and took more points in the league than any other team in the division from there until the end of the season.
“We’ve got to do the same again. That’s the bottom line, and we’ve got to make sure that’s the case now.
“I don’t think anybody suggested two or three weeks ago that we’d be in the position we’re in now. That’s how quickly things can change, and we mustn’t lose sight of that.”
On supporting players through a difficult spell
The head coach acknowledged that football tests players mentally as well as physically, particularly when results are not going their way.
Artell explained that there is no universal solution to helping players deal with pressure, with the coaching staff instead working to understand each individual and identify the approaches that help them feel comfortable and confident.
He also reminded the squad that they should not allow recent results to undermine their belief in themselves or the collective work being done behind the scenes.
“There’s not one size fits all. There’s certainly not one broad-brush answer to that, because each player is an individual and each player has got different intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.
“You’ve got to understand each player and make sure each player feels comfortable and confident in the way that they respond to.
“There’s no magic blanket approach, no magic speech or anything like that, because it’s very much an individual thing.
“The players are trying their best. They’re desperate to win games of football, just as they were at the start of the season. When you go seven unbeaten, you’re not getting carried away, and we’re not going to beat ourselves up when we’re not winning four.
“Don’t get me wrong, it helps if you win games of football because it helps your mentality. There’s no getting around that.
“But I said to the players this morning, don’t beat yourself up between your ears. We can help you change that. It’s a collective approach to getting better and giving ourselves the best chance of winning a game of football.”
On the pressure of professional football
Artell believes maintaining a strong sense of self-belief is essential during difficult periods, particularly in a sport where performances are scrutinised every week in front of thousands of supporters.
The head coach insisted that the squad must remain steadfast in their approach, continue working hard and trust that their efforts will eventually bring results.
He pointed to last season’s progress as evidence of what can happen when a team maintains its standards through adversity.
“You’ve got to be really steadfast in your belief and really secure in your beliefs and your personality to know that you’re on the right track, that you’re doing everything you possibly can.
“If you work as hard as you can and keep trying to improve, then before you know it, I think you end up coming out of it, because we did that last year.
“We were probably two minutes away from a penalty shootout to decide whether we went to Wembley or not, and perhaps three or four games away from getting into the top three in the regular season.
“We’re not beating ourselves up. We’re just working as hard as we can, with the right mentality, to win a game of football.”
On Tuesday’s opponents, Rochdale
Rochdale have made an encouraging start to the campaign following their promotion, and Artell expects another demanding test for his side at the Crown Oil Arena.
The head coach believes the Mariners can create enough opportunities to win the game if they reproduce the stronger spells of their recent performances, but stressed that they must be more clinical in front of goal.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining their standards across all aspects of the game, with the fixture set to test the squad technically, tactically, physically and mentally.
“They’re going well. They’ve got their strengths, and they’ve certainly got their weaknesses as well. We’ve got to make sure we play well.
“If we play as well as we did on Saturday, between about minute five and 25, then we’ll be fine because we’ll create enough chances to win a game of football.
“It’s just whether we take them. Goals change games, and we’ve got to make sure we keep carving out chances and start scoring goals.
“Professional sport tests you in every single way, and Rochdale will be no different. We’ve got to make sure we play well.”
On the backing of the Mariners’ supporters
Artell was full of praise for the support Town have received throughout the campaign, highlighting the backing from both home and travelling supporters despite the recent run of results.
The head coach acknowledged the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat but pointed to the team’s home record as evidence of the supporter’s continued commitment, while praising the travelling numbers that have followed the Mariners on the road.
He hopes the players can reward that backing with a performance and result to be proud of on Tuesday evening.
“I think the fans have been brilliant. I thought the fans were good on Saturday. I get that they’re disappointed to see the team lose, but I think it’s the second home defeat in 18, or something like that. That’s a decent return.
“Our away form isn’t as good as our home form, but we’re still travelling with unbelievable numbers.
“We’ve got to win a game of football for the fans. Anyone who comes, and certainly the travelling away fans, are outstanding. They always have been since my time at the Club.
“From the first game, getting on the coach and seeing them in that corner, they’ve been outstanding. I’m sure they’ll be the same tomorrow night, and we’ve got to make sure we give them something to cheer about.”
On the Emirates FA Cup first-round draw
The Emirates FA Cup first-round proper draw takes place this evening, with Town waiting to discover their opponents as they look to begin another cup campaign.
Artell admitted he had not realised the draw was taking place but made clear his preference for a home tie, joking that he was expecting an away trip to non-league side Plymouth Parkway.
“I didn’t know it was the FA Cup draw tonight!
“A home draw. Last year we got three on the spin, didn’t we? Or was it four on the spin?
“I’m fully expecting Plymouth Parkway away!”
You can watch David’s full pre-match presser here:
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