David Artell praised his side’s performance after the Mariners returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Crawley Town on Easter Monday.

Following the disappointment of Friday’s defeat, Town produced a dominant display on the road to claim three important points and record another clean sheet.

Here’s everything the Head Coach had to say after the final whistle…

On the performance and result

Artell felt the Mariners were fully deserving of the win after controlling the game for large periods.

“I thought it was a comprehensive performance,” he said.

“Bar probably ten minutes towards the end where we didn’t keep the ball well enough, I thought we dominated the game.

“We should have been four up at half-time.

“Their lad has a brain fart after half-time, deservedly to get sent off, and we’ve dominated the game from there on in as well.

“So, fully deserved three points, a good response to a poor result but a decent performance on Friday, and another three points.”

On the response after Friday’s defeat

The Mariners boss was pleased with how his side reacted following the Good Friday setback.

“At this stage of the season results are always important, but the performance was good on Friday,” he explained.

“So we said to the players, look, don’t beat yourselves up, keep playing well.

“The lads have played well today, I thought they were very good.

“The only disappointing thing is it wasn’t more than two, which it should have been, but as long as we score one more than the opposition we’ll always be happy.”

On another clean sheet

Town’s defensive strength was on show once again, with Artell highlighting the team’s organisation without the ball.

“I thought they didn’t cause us too many problems apart from that ten-minute spell towards the end,” he said.

“And that was our own doing really.

“I can’t really think of Jacko having an actual save to make, which is credit to the lads.

“I thought we were very good with the ball and without the ball.

“We’ve limited a team that’s just won their last two games and were on a bit of a high from a new gaffer coming in.”

On Clarke Oduor’s performance

Artell reserved special praise for Clarke after an impressive display in the starting line-up.

“Clarke’s a good player,” he said.

“He’s been extremely unfortunate this year not to play more minutes.

“But whenever he’s been called upon he’s been outstanding.

“He deserves all the praise and accolades today because he was very good.”

On the importance of squad depth

With several players competing for places, Artell believes the whole squad will have a role to play in the final weeks of the campaign.

“We keep saying to them that we’re going to need every one of you,” he explained.

“It might be Jason Dadi Svanthorsson, who hasn’t played many minutes.

“It might be Justin who’s had a real good impact off the bench, or Ty Warren, Sam Lavelle or Henry Brown.

“We don’t know, but we’re going to need them all.

“And when you’re called upon, you better be ready.”

On the travelling Mariners

Around 600 Town supporters made the long Bank Holiday trip to West Sussex, something the Head Coach was keen to recognise.

“Outstanding,” Artell said.

“For us to bring six hundred when it’s the best part of five hours away is an outstanding achievement.

“I hope they’ve gone home as happy as I am.”

On Jaze’s goal scoring form

The Mariners’ striker continued his impressive season with his 18th goal of the campaign, something Artell believes reflects his natural instinct in front of goal.

“I think he’s a natural goalscorer,” he said.

“I thought he was very good, especially first half.

“The fact they had to change shape and personnel after about half an hour shows the threat we had on that side.

“The only disappointment was that it was only 2-0 at half-time and it ended up 2-0 because we deserved more.”

On the run-in

With the season entering its final stretch, Artell knows every fixture carries extra significance.

“They’re all big games now,” he added.

“This stage of the season there’s something on every game.

“We’ll rest up now, give them a couple of days off after the travelling, and then come back ready for Saturday.”

You can watch David Artell’s full post-match interview with club media below:

UTM