David Artell believes Town deserved to take all three points from Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town at Blundell Park, while acknowledging that the Mariners were disappointed with the way they surrendered their lead.
Town came from behind to take the lead through Andy Cook after Cian Doyle’s equaliser, but Finley Potter’s header restored parity five minutes after Cook had put the Mariners in front.
Artell was pleased with the character shown by his players but felt Town could have done more to see the game out after taking the lead.
Here’s everything the Head Coach had to say after Saturday’s game…
On the result
Artell felt the Mariners had done enough to claim victory despite a slow start.
“I thought we deserved to win, just.
“I thought we started off really poorly. I don’t think we came out of the traps really well either second half, but for a much shorter period of time.
“We’ve done enough to win. I think on another day some key match decisions go our way, which would have helped.
“But then we also shot ourselves in the foot after we scored to go in front.”
On the character shown
Town found themselves behind early on before eventually turning the game around, and Artell was pleased with the determination shown by his players.
“I thought the lads showed real determination, not just to get level, but to get in front.
“I thought the crowd really helped. I thought they were magnificent today, as they’ve been all year, I’d say.
“But we didn’t do enough when we did get in front.”
Artell believes Town were the dominant side for much of the first half after falling behind.
“From 15 minutes on, we were much more the dominant team in the first half and should have scored at least one.”
On letting Fleetwood back into the game
Despite taking the lead through Cook, Town were unable to hold onto their advantage, with Artell frustrated by the manner of Fleetwood’s equaliser.
“The first goal we switched off. People were sleeping.
“The second goal was really disappointing from our point of view as well because we didn’t do what we wanted to do in those situations.
“We gave away too many silly free kicks and too many niggly bits and didn’t really do the basics well against the ball like we’d done up to getting in front.
“That’s the bit that we need to pick up on, nothing else.”
On the decisions that went against Town
Artell was also unhappy with a number of decisions during the game, including challenges which he felt should have resulted in red cards.
“They should have a red card when Greeny is through on goal.
“There should be another red card when the lad puts Geza’s legs above his head, which is just ridiculous.
“But we don’t, and we can’t rely on others. We’ve got to rely on ourselves.”
On the new additions finding their feet
With several new players still settling into the squad, Artell says Town will continue working to bring the best out of the group.
“I think we’re still finding our feet a little bit. We’re still, you know, people finding their way into the season, if you like.
“So, the new players, and that’s understandable.
“I thought Cian’s performance today was very good. I thought he scored a good goal.
“Sonny’s been with us for less than a week and we’ll do plenty of work with him, for example. Same with Iwan, been with us a couple of weeks.”
Artell stressed that the need for improvement was not a criticism of the new arrivals.
“That’s not a criticism of either of them players or anything like that.
“We’ve just got to do more work with them and more work with all of them to get us more assured and an even greater level of performance.”
On a good game against a good Fleetwood side
Artell felt Saturday’s contest was an entertaining meeting between two well-matched teams.
“We played against a good team today. They’re a good team.
“I thought it was a good game. It was a good game.”
The Head Coach also felt the competitive nature of the match added to the occasion.
“I thought, by and large, the tackles were okay.
“I’m not here trying to be soft or anything like that. You just want the bad ones to be dealt with appropriately.
“I think we’d all prefer, as football fans, to see a little bit of a needle in the game and I think that adds to the occasion.
“Greasy surface, and I thought it was a good game between two good teams.”
On Cook’s goal
Artell praised the build-up to Town’s second goal, which began with goalkeeper Christy Pym before Geza Turi played Cook through to finish.
“Christy’s been terrific. We’re not worried about the goalkeeper situation. We’ve got a good goalkeeper.
“We’re just trying to get better and, if not, then we’re more than happy with Christy.
“We’ve worked quite a lot on committing, sliding, putting people in. Didn’t quite get it right in the first half, but then Geza’s ball was terrific and Cooky’s finish was outstanding.
“It was a really good ball-work goal from back to front.”
On Cook’s late disallowed goal
Cook thought he had won the game three minutes from time when he headed home from Turi’s cross, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.
Artell had not yet reviewed the incident at the time of his post-match interview.
“I haven’t, but Cooky tells me he was actually behind the ball.
“Because he’s in front of that defender, I think the linesman’s probably been influenced by that, as opposed to him being level with the cross from Geza.
“He said he was level with the cross from Geza’s cross. I haven’t seen it. That’s what he’s told me. I’ve no idea if that’s right or not.”
On remaining unbeaten
Despite the frustration of dropping two points, Artell was encouraged by Town’s unbeaten start to the league campaign and the atmosphere inside Blundell Park.
“I thought it was two good teams, good atmosphere.
“And if we keep playing to that level, we’ll win more games than we lose. There’s no getting around that.
“We’ve got to be a little bit better in all facets of the game. I said that last week at Walsall. I said that after Exeter.
“And that will continue. We’ve got to keep getting better, and we will.”
Artell believes the progress made by the group over the past two-and-a-half years gives him confidence that further improvement will follow.
“We’ve shown that as a group, both as staff and as players, over the last sort of two years, two-and-a-half years.
“And we’ll continue to get better. That’s the challenge that’s in front of the players.
“If we do that, then we might get our nose in front and stay in front, or score more.
“And that’s the challenge. That’s the plan.”
You can watch David Artell’s full post-match interview here:
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