David Artell praised his side’s professionalism and attacking quality after the Mariners produced a dominant performance to beat Barrow 5-0 at Blundell Park.

Town followed up Tuesday night’s dramatic victory over Fleetwood Town with another impressive display on home soil, extending their unbeaten run in the league at Blundell Park to ten matches.

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

On the performance:

Artell was pleased with the overall display, highlighting the way his side controlled the game after an early scare.

“I thought we didn’t start as well as we did last Tuesday,” he said.

“They had a chance after two minutes and Jackson makes a big save for us, which was really important.

“After that, I thought we kept them at arm’s length and scored some really good goals.

“The first two goals in particular were very good, different but very good in different ways. Once the third goes in around the hour mark, the game is pretty much done and then we finish it off with a couple more late on.

“It was thoroughly professional.”

On the quality of the goals:

The Mariners boss was particularly pleased with the variety of goals his side produced throughout the afternoon.

“I thought the assists were really good,” he explained.

“Darragh for the first, Jaze for the second, and Greeny’s finish for that second goal was outstanding.

“They were all good in their own individual ways, which is pleasing from my point of view. If you can score different types of goals then you’re harder to stop.

“We scored from open play, from a corner, from crosses into the box. When you’ve got that in your locker it gives you more ways to hurt teams.”

On the Blundell Park atmosphere:

Artell also highlighted the role the supporters played in helping to create a positive atmosphere.

“We want to make this place a fortress,” he said.

“It is a difficult place to come and the atmosphere helped today.

“The Icelandic lads behind the goal really helped generate a bit of noise with their thunder clap and the rest of the ground got behind them as well.

“I know they enjoyed their visit to the club shop yesterday, and probably a few hours in the pub before that as well, so it’s nice that they’ve come over and seen us win.”

On goals throughout the team:

With multiple players contributing to the scoring this season, Artell believes the team’s collective approach is key.

“We want goals all over the pitch,” he said.

“We’re not relying on one person and that’s deliberate. With our resources, we can’t rely on one striker on big money to score all the goals.

“We’ve got to build a team where everyone contributes. When we build up from the back, everyone is involved, including the strikers, and when we’re attacking, everyone is involved as well.

“That way we’re not relying on one single point of failure.

“I think we’ve had around 20 different goalscorers this season, which is a really pleasing statistic.”

On Jackson Smith’s clean sheet:

Artell reserved praise for goalkeeper Jackson Smith, whose early save helped settle Town into the match.

“That save after two minutes was really important,” he said.

“After that it was more about concentration for him.

“As a goalkeeper you might not have a lot to do for long periods, then suddenly you have to make a save. Your handling and kicking have got to be clean.

“He’s done really well, but it’s not just him, it’s the whole team.”

On the team performance:

While goals grabbed the headlines, Artell was equally pleased with the work done across the pitch.

“Jaze was outstanding in his defensive work today as well,” he added.

“Even though he’s got a couple of goals and an assist, that side of the game pleased me just as much.

“Clarke came on and was a real menace, Justin gets an assist, Sween’s had to go in at six when George came off, lots of little things from lots of different players.

“When you add all that together you end up with five goals at one end and none at the other.”

On the injury concerns:

The only downside of the afternoon came with injuries to Jamie Walker and George McEachran.

“Jamie took a bang on his elbow,” Artell explained.

“He said he couldn’t straighten it so we’ll have to see if he needs a scan or something like that.

“George just rolled his ankle after a challenge where the lad landed on it.

“We’ll have to see how they are next week.”

On goal difference:

Artell also stressed the importance of maintaining intensity even when the result looks secure.

“At half-time I said it was 2-0 and the next goal is important,” he said.

“Go and get it, and then don’t let up.

“Be ruthless and keep going because goal difference might be important at the end of the season. It might not be, but it might be, so take your chances when they come.”

On the upcoming break:

With Town’s next two fixtures postponed due to international call-ups, Artell was pleased his side could head into the short break on a positive note.

“I said to them before the game, don’t go two weeks without winning and have to stew on it,” he said.

“Go and win the game, then you can have a bit of a breather.

“They’ll have a mental and physical rest and then we’ll come back in later next week ready for what will effectively be a five-week season.

“Hopefully that season then gets extended by a couple of weeks after that.”

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

UTM