Andy Cook says he is delighted to be back among the goals and is determined to help Town build on their strong start when the Mariners travel to Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night.
Cook opened his account for the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town, putting Town ahead in the second half before seeing a late header ruled out for offside.
The striker says he was pleased to finally get off the mark but insists the team’s performances remain his main priority.
With 680 Mariners supporters set to make the trip to the Wham Stadium, Cook is expecting a physical encounter and knows Town will need to match Accrington’s intensity.
Here’s everything Cook had to say ahead of Tuesday night’s game…
On getting back on the scoresheet
Cook was delighted to find the net against Fleetwood after waiting for his first goal of the campaign.
“I was over the moon, obviously.
“As I said before, it’s always nice to get goals. I’m frustrated that I haven’t really got a goal since pre-season.
“It’s symbolic for me getting the goal, but it’s mainly the team doing well.”
On his disallowed goal
Cook came close to adding a second late on, only for his header to be ruled out for offside.
“I’ve not really seen it. I’ve seen a picture of it, but I’d have to properly watch it back.
“At the time I thought it was onside, but it’s one of them. I thought it was probably a tight one, but it’s the way it is, isn’t it?”
On Saturday’s draw with Fleetwood
Despite Town taking the lead, Fleetwood fought back to earn a point at Blundell Park.
Cook felt the early goal conceded from a set piece took some time for the Mariners to recover from.
“It was a bit of a shock to the system, I’d say, to concede so early from a set piece when we pride ourselves on not conceding from set pieces.
“That obviously took us a little bit to get in the game, and once we got in the game, I think we found our feet in the first half.”
Cook says Town were disappointed not to hold onto their advantage after going ahead.
“We took the lead in the second half and then it was a ball in the box for us to concede.
“We have to take it on the chin and go again.”
On how he is feeling personally
Cook admits he is happy to be playing regularly, while remaining focused on contributing to the team.
“I’m alright.
“Obviously, I’m happy to be playing. It’s the same for everyone who would be.
“And obviously, I’m happy to come and be a regular.”
On committing his future to Town
Cook made his loan move permanent during the summer after initially joining the Mariners on loan last season.
The striker says the environment at Blundell Park and the people around the squad played a major role in his decision.
“When I came in, it was a good environment.
“Obviously, at the time it was the gaffer, Shaun, and that, and obviously it was a good group.
“I think the players were a massive part in where players want to play.”
Cook was left devastated by Town’s play-off disappointment last season and wanted the opportunity to help the club go one step further.
“We fell short. I said at the time, it was one of the worst I’ve felt in football.
“I’ve been in big cup finals and that was one of the worst I’ve felt.
“Obviously, I wanted to come back and I wanted to help the club push on and go maybe one step further.”
On settling in with Town’s new attacking options
With new additions joining the forward line, Cook believes regular work on the training pitch is already helping the attacking players understand one another.
“We work on stuff in training. Obviously, the gaffer has just done stuff for us.
“When you’re working on it every day, it becomes easier, do you know what I mean?
“You get to know everyone a bit quicker.
“I think it’s obviously good that they’ve come in and they’ve settled in.”
On the support from the Mariners
Cook has quickly become a popular figure with the Town supporters, with fans creating songs for the striker.
“Yeah, they’re good. I don’t mind them. Yeah, they’re good.
“It’s good to hear, you know what I mean? It’s good.”
Cook says the support can provide an extra lift, particularly when things are not going his way.
“Of course. As a striker, you want to score goals, you want to do well.
“Sometimes when things aren’t going your way and you hear that, I think it gives you a little boost.
“I think that’s only human. You’re going to enjoy that.”
On facing Accrington Stanley
The Mariners travel to Accrington with the hosts having endured a difficult opening to the campaign, but Cook insists Town’s attention must remain firmly on their own performance.
“I think obviously we’ve got to just focus on ourselves.
“Going into the game, we know what we want to do. Obviously, we want to win the game.
“We’re going to go there and our focus is on ourselves and hopefully we get the three points.”
On the physical challenge
Cook expects Accrington to provide a typically competitive test at the Wham Stadium.
“I think it’s a tough place to go.
“They’ll be physical, they’ll be tough, they’ll compete and we’ve got to match that.”
The striker knows Town will need to find ways to break down an Accrington side that has shown a willingness to defend resolutely.
“I don’t expect them to change.
“They’ll try and stop us and I think us as a team as a whole, even individuals, we’ve got to try and make something happen.
“We’ve got to try and get something to happen, try and get a goal or two.”
On Accrington’s attacking threat
Accrington have recorded one of the joint-highest figures for shots on target in the division so far, and Cook knows Town will have to be ready defensively.
“You expect teams to throw things at you and obviously you’ve got that stat, so we’re fully expecting to be on our A-game.
“To try and keep the ball out of our net, that is the main thing.”
On Town being seen as a tough opponent
After reaching the League Two play-offs last season, Cook believes opponents know they are facing a competitive Grimsby side.
“I think teams do think that about us.
“I think we’re an honest group. We work hard for each other.
“I’d like to think that we do make things difficult and that teams know that they’re in for a game.”
On his relationship with Greeny
Cook was also asked about the nickname he has been using for teammate Kieran Green, which has become a talking point among supporters on social media.
“Ah, no. He just thinks he looks after us when we’re away, and that’s all.”
Cook says the pair’s relationship has been strengthened by travelling together and living together.
“Obviously it helps with travelling together, and obviously I live with him.”
With that close bond continuing off the pitch, Cook will now be hoping the partnership with Green and the rest of Town’s attacking players can help the Mariners return from Accrington with three points.
You can watch Andy Cook’s full pre-match interview here:
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