David Artell says Town will need to match Accrington Stanley’s work ethic and intensity when the Mariners travel to the Wham Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Mariners head into the first game of September looking to build on Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town, with 680 travelling supporters set to back the team at Accrington.
Artell expects a committed test from John Doolan’s side and has warned his players that they will need to be “bang at it” if they are to come away with a positive result.
The Head Coach also provided an update on Justin Amaluzor, discussed the final days of the transfer window and reflected on the development of Geza Turi and Andy Cook.
Here’s everything Artell had to say ahead of Tuesday night’s game…
On Justin Amaluzor
Amaluzor picked up a knock during Saturday’s draw with Fleetwood, with the defender set to undergo a scan.
“He’s having a scan today. I don’t think it’s serious. It’s more precautionary, to make sure there isn’t anything there.
“It was a precautionary thing on Saturday. He’s played 35, 40-odd minutes with, if there is something.
“So, hopefully it’ll come back and it’ll be all clear and, yeah, he’ll crack on.”
On the final days of the transfer window
With the transfer window entering its final couple of days, Artell says the club will continue working to strengthen the squad, although he admits he cannot predict what might happen before the deadline.
“As I say all the time, how long’s a piece of string?
“You’re asking me questions that I genuinely don’t know the answer to.
“I’ll always be honest, and I’m being honest when I say I genuinely don’t know.
“So, we’ll keep plugging away. We’ll keep trying to improve and we’ll hopefully finish the window with three points and a strong squad.”
On playing on deadline day
Town’s trip to Accrington falls on transfer deadline day, something Artell admits makes for a particularly unusual schedule.
“It’s just bonkers, isn’t it?
“We didn’t have a game last Tuesday or the Tuesday before. We ain’t got a game next Tuesday.
“So, whoever’s put this round of fixture in on today wants their head testing. It’s like they’ve got no comprehension of what goes on on deadline day.
“But listen, I’m just the Grimsby Town Head Coach. Nobody listens to myself or people at this level.
“It’ll be done for a reason, for people probably much higher up the food chain. So, we have to do it.”
Artell has experienced a similar situation earlier in his career, but hopes this deadline day can ultimately end positively.
“I had it before when we was at Crewe and we sold a player actually, and then he failed his medical, so that was a busy few hours.
“But the good thing was we won in the last minute that day, so hopefully we’ll do the same tomorrow night.”
On Geza Turi’s development
Turi was named Town’s Player of the Match against Fleetwood after another impressive display, and Artell believes the midfielder continues to make progress.
“Geza has been a bit of a slow burner. It took us a while to get him to find his feet, which is understandable.
“Different cultures, different environments, different weather, lots of different things. Certainly different style of play.
“But he’s coming along nicely. He’s nowhere near where he needs to be, but he’s getting better.”
Artell says continued development is essential for every player within his squad.
“As I keep saying about all the players, you’ve got to keep getting better because if you don’t keep getting better, we’ll get someone who is better than you and who will keep getting better.
“And that’s not a threat. It’s not, I’m not trying to be mean when I say that.
“I genuinely hope the players get better and I try and help them get better.”
The Head Coach believes being open about areas for improvement gives players a clear understanding of what is expected of them.
“When you’re open and honest with everyone’s development and where we need to get to and each little bit, then it’s sort of crystal clear and it’s all out in the open.
“There’s no ambiguity and everyone knows the direction of travel.”
Turi’s contribution to Saturday’s second goal was one example of the qualities Artell wants to see more regularly.
“We want him to do more things like he did for the second goal, for example.
“Can’t remember the last time he scored a goal, but he should score more goals. There’s other bits, lots of other little technical bits, and he’s got to keep getting better and better.
“He’s on the right track and he has improved in the last 12, 18 months, mainly physically, but even that there’s elements of that where he’s got to get better as well.”
On Andy Cook
Cook scored his first goal of the season against Fleetwood and was subsequently named in the Football League Paper’s Team of the Day.
Artell was pleased with the striker’s contribution but believes there is still plenty more to come from the experienced forward.
“He was good, wasn’t he?
“He needs a lot of help, Cooky, in lots of different areas, but you know what you’re going to get with him.
“He wears his emotions literally on his face. He’s a great bloke, like a proper good bloke.
“He tries and he graphs and he’s trying to get better.”
Artell stressed that Cook’s age does not change the expectation for him to continue developing.
“Just because he’s 34, 35 doesn’t mean he can’t learn or he won’t learn. That’s his job.
“His job’s to score goals, of course. And he did score one. He probably should have had a second on Saturday.
“And he’ll keep getting chances because we’ll keep creating chances for him.”
On Cook’s disallowed goal
Cook also saw a late header ruled out for offside against Fleetwood, with Artell able to understand why the decision was made despite the striker believing he was behind the ball.
“He thinks he was behind the ball.
“I actually think the lad who was closest to the ball played him on.
“I can understand why he was given offside, given the fact that he was ahead of the defender closest to him. So, it looks like he was offside.
“But I’m not going to get into the referees.”
Artell believes Cook’s earlier missed opportunity was the greater frustration.
“The better chance was the one he missed first half when he’s probably gone with his wrong foot.
“But look, he’s there to miss them and if you’re there to miss them, you’ll keep scoring them.
“It’s as simple as that. So, we’ll keep working with him, keep working on that element of it, but keep working on all the other players as well and keep getting them better and better.”
On the development of the squad
Artell believes the progress made by the group over the past two-and-a-half years is evidence that the approach is working.
“I’ve been here what, two and three-quarter years now. I think the team’s got better.
“I think the players individually have got better, who have been here the whole time.
“And I think the players who have joined halfway through have got better.
“So, you can see the journey we’re on.
“And Geza is no different. Cooky is no different. He’s on this journey with us.”
On facing Accrington Stanley
Town will be backed by 680 travelling supporters at the Wham Stadium, but Artell knows the Mariners will face a side renowned for their competitiveness and work ethic.
“I wouldn’t read too much into results.
“You know what you’re going to get with Accrington. Committed. You know, it’s the culture at that football club is outstanding. Like, outstanding.
“They will graft, they will fight, they will show all that spirit that is needed in every successful team.”
Artell believes Accrington’s performances over recent years deserve respect regardless of their current position.
“They’ve been closer to the top of the division for the last few years than they have the bottom.
“And given their resources, that probably shouldn’t be the case, but that’s a testament to how that football club is run in the football department.”
He also praised the work of Accrington’s management team.
“They’ve got some good players, some really good players, and some okay players.
“They’ve got a very good management team with John and Jed, who have been around for a long time and know that football club especially as well.
“And they’re doing a fabulous job.”
On matching Accrington’s intensity
Artell has warned his players that they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
“If you go there thinking about the milk advert or anything like that, you’ll get your comeuppance. There’s absolutely no danger of that.
“You will get your comeuppance.
“So, we’ve got to be bang at it. And if we’re not bang at it, we’ll be letting 680 fans down.
“It’s as simple as that. We’ve got to be right at it because, as sure as eggs are eggs, Accrington will be.”
Artell believes matching that mentality must become part of Town’s own identity.
“Match them. Make it part of our culture.
“I think it is.
“I don’t think any Grimsby Town fan for a good few months, years hopefully, has said, ‘Oh yeah, they didn’t really try then.’
“I can sleep easy at night because I know my players run and work hard.”
The Head Coach says the work ethic within the squad is something he takes great pride in.
“I don’t think we’re short of that either. I think the fans can see that.
“And we’re going to have to take that with us, take that across the tops and make sure we’ve got that as well and match them in that tomorrow night.”
On Accrington’s attacking threat
Accrington have recorded one of the highest figures for shots on target per game in the division, while also ranking highly for touches in the opposition box.
Artell says Town are fully aware of the threat they pose.
“They’ve got the most touches in the box as well. Yeah, we know.
“We know exactly what they are.
“I don’t think any football’s a secret anymore. Everyone’s got the videos. Everyone does the research. Everyone does the prep.
“We know exactly what they are. They all know exactly what we are.
“There’s no secrets in that sense.”
Artell says Town’s approach will be straightforward.
“We know we have to stop shots and stop crosses and stop them having touches in our box.
“It’s as simple as that.
“The best way to do it is keeping the ball off them and scoring goals at the other end.
“And if we do that, then we’ll have a good night.”
You can watch David’s full pre-match interview here:
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