David Artell was back in front of the media ahead of tonight’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Walsall, reflecting on the Mariners’ memorable FA Cup run, discussing the challenges posed by the pitch, highlighting individual progress within the squad and previewing another significant test at Blundell Park.

Here’s everything he had to say on the key topics…

on the emotions following the FA Cup defeat to Premier League opposition:

“I was going to say still disappointed, which I suppose is natural, but at the same time we’ve got a game tomorrow.

“We spoke about it this morning with the lads and showed them some clips. We all know it was a tricky pitch, but I thought we played some really good stuff and created the best chances of the game.

“We know we created opportunities against a really good team, a Premier League team, and we’re obviously disappointed. But we gave it a great shot and came off a bit short – sometimes you have to lick your wounds.

“There wasn’t much in the game. We limited them to one shot on target, which is a decent effort, but now we’re back to the bread and butter and we’ve got to make sure we show the same spirit, with a little bit more quality in our finishing, to win another game at home.”

on adapting to difficult pitch conditions:

“I thought both teams did well on a tricky pitch. It was a different, classic old-school FA Cup tie.

“It’s the same for both teams, so I don’t want anyone to think it’s an excuse. It is what it is and we’ve got to make sure we adapt to it, that’s part of the challenge.

“It’s a 125-year-old pitch that’s been neglected, with the exception of the last two or three years, so we’re playing catch-up. Without digging it all out, we’re going to have issues with it, but that’s where we’re at.

“We’ve got to get our heads around that and try to play as much football as we can on whatever surface it is to win a game.”

on the efforts of the ground staff:

“They’re doing their jobs and they’re doing them well. Nobody can predict or affect the weather, and the staff have worked extremely hard to get the games on.

“It won’t be for a lack of trying, that’s for sure. I’ve got almost faith that they will because they work relentlessly on it, but they are fighting a bit of an uphill battle given how old the pitch is.

“That’s the hand the ground staff and the club are dealt, and we’ve got to make sure we get on with it.”

on Géza Dávid Turi’s recent performances:

“I think anybody can see his progression, certainly in the last six months.

“When he first came in he hadn’t played for a while, so we basically had to give him a six-week pre-season. Then you get a fair body of work in the summer, but he’s still getting used to the tempo, the speed and the cultural aspects of English football.

“He’s worked extremely hard to get to this point and we’re now seeing the fruits of those efforts. He’s more consistent and physically much more robust to play 90 minutes and do it back-to-back.

“We always knew he was a good player, that’s why we brought him to the football club, and when he puts it all together, he performs really well for us. He’s been doing that of late.”

on assessing Walsall despite their recent results:

“I think you can read whatever you want into form. Before Christmas we hadn’t won in nine but probably deserved to win five or six of them, and now we haven’t lost in nine or ten in the league.

“It’s more about underlying performance than actual results. I’ve said it before – the league table can lie, even at this stage.

“I watched Walsall at Bristol Rovers and they were the better team in the first half. They conceded two quick-fire goals and the game was done, but they’re dangerous.

“We’ve got to understand what their dangers are and how to hurt them. We did it at their place, it was a really tight game between two good teams, and we’ve got to make sure we perform to that level again, or even better, because that’s what it’ll take to win.”

on the importance of defensive standards:

“When you talk about performance, there are lots of factors that go into it – whether you’re conceding goals and whether you’re scoring them.

“Fortunately, we feel as though we’re heading in the right direction at both ends of the pitch. But ultimately you can talk till the cows come home, you’ve got to run around, do what you’re good at both individually and as a team, and if you do that, you stand a chance of winning the game.

“It’s about standards, effort, cohesion and relentless execution of the basics.”

on the role supporters can play under the lights:

“I think you saw that on Sunday. When that early chance brushed the outside of the post, the roof nearly came off – it helps, I can’t tell you how much it helps.

“For those who came to Wolves, I’d be saying: come again. If you’re a first-timer or only think you’re coming to the big games – well, let me tell you, it’s a big game tomorrow night.

“Get yourself down and cheer us on because it makes a huge difference. The players are human beings and they respond to that positive noise, and conversely it can affect the opposition too.

“I said it a while ago – the good ship Mariners is pointing in the right direction and we need everyone rowing as fast as they can. The supporters show that by getting behind the team, and hopefully they’ll do that again because we’ve got some big games coming up.”

You can watch David’s pre-match interview with the club media here:

With the Mariners eager to return to league action and build on recent performances, your backing at Blundell Park could prove crucial as Town look to secure another important three points.

UTM