David Artell says the Mariners are heading into the opening game of the 2026/27 campaign with plenty of enthusiasm and optimism, as Town prepare to begin their season against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup.
Following a busy summer which has seen a number of new faces arrive at Blundell Park, the Head Coach says the squad have settled well and believes the pre-season trip to Slovenia has helped accelerate the integration of the new arrivals.
Here’s everything the Head Coach had to say ahead of Saturday’s opening fixture…
On starting a new season
Artell says there is always a sense of excitement at this stage of the campaign, with Town looking to build on the foundations established over the last two seasons.
“You’re always enthusiastic and excited to see what a new summer and new season brings,” he said.
“We’re no different. We’re as hopeful as the next man, as the next team, as the next football club that we’ll have a decent season and keep building the foundations that we’ve laid over the last couple of years.”
On the new recruits
The Mariners boss is pleased with how Town’s summer signings have adapted to their new surroundings, while stressing that there is plenty for them to learn as they become accustomed to the Club’s methods.
“They’ve settled in really well,” he said.
“It just takes time to get acclimatised to any new environment, really. But we’re not just a usual football club.
“We’ll constantly ask them to learn and improve and listen and be engaged. We’re expecting them to learn, get better and improve.
“All the new lads have come in and done well, so we’re looking forward to seeing them.”
On the Slovenia training camp
Artell believes the Club’s pre-season trip to Slovenia played an important role in helping the new players integrate, both on and off the pitch.
“When you live with someone for six or seven days literally in the same building, it is different than if you’re seeing each other for four or five hours a day,” he explained.
“Doing different activities and going different places and different social interactions with different players, it’s all that condensed getting to know each other.
“You do a lot more bonding in a week than you would do over probably five or six weeks, so it definitely helps without a shadow of a doubt.”
On Monday’s Open Training Session
Artell was delighted by the turnout at Monday’s Open Training Session at Blundell Park and believes events such as the day help strengthen the relationship between the Club, its players and supporters.
“I thought it was fabulous,” he said.
“The turnout was incredible. It built on last year, which again, we’re talking about progress.
“We try to be as open and as transparent as a football club as we can be. Getting exposed to a training session, signing of shirts and balls and any other bits of paraphernalia that the kids could get their hands on all helps create that bond between ourselves, the players, the staff, but just the football club itself and the community.
“I thought it was a fabulous day.”
On Reece Staunton’s new contract
Artell believes Reece Staunton has earned his new three-year contract after establishing himself as one of the division’s outstanding left-backs during his first season at Blundell Park.
“He’s one of, if not the best left-back in the lower two divisions, without a shadow of a doubt,” he said.
“We’re really blessed because Jayden Sweeney is outstanding as well. They’re different kinds of left-backs.
“Reece gets a few more assists and he’s a good age. He’s got a really high ceiling, that lad.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have him tied to this football club.”
On Shaun Pearson’s departure
Artell admitted he was sad to see Shaun Pearson leave the Club, while making clear that the decision was Pearson’s and that there was no falling-out between the pair.
“My overriding feeling is that I’m quite sad he’s left,” he said.
“He obviously wants to pursue other opportunities, which I’m fine with.
“He’ll spend a bit of time at home, I think, and then pursue another avenue, and that’s football. I wish him nothing but the best.
“We haven’t fallen out. I think he rang me up about coming to the game on Saturday with his lad. I’m sure we’ll have a beer at some point or we’ll have a Diet Coke together.
“He’s developed into a good coach right at the start of his career and I wish him nothing but the best, him and his family. They’re lovely people.
“As I say, sad to see him go, but it’s a decision he made and we move on.”
On Tom Culshaw’s appointment
Artell believes new Assistant Head Coach Tom Culshaw brings a wealth of experience to the Club and says his appointment is another indication of the progress being made at Blundell Park.
“You just have to look at his CV. Simple as that,” he said.
“We did a couple of courses with Tom years ago, so I’ve known him for a while and obviously followed his career.
“Winner in Scotland, winning the SPL, assistant manager in the Premier League, experience abroad. He’s coached some proper big dogs. He’s not going to be worried about any egos in our dressing room, is he?
“Extensive knowledge and experience. The fact that this football club can attract someone of the calibre of Tom shows again the progress we can make.
“I’m personally over the moon with Tom joining us.”
On working with Culshaw
Having already worked with the new Assistant Head Coach on the training pitch, Artell says the pair will continue to assess how they can improve the team and Club together.
“He doesn’t need me to question his methods,” he said.
“We’ll get a chance to settle in over the next two or three weeks, then I’ll take him out for lunch somewhere or dinner and pick his brains – where we can improve, what he’s seen, what he hasn’t seen, what he thinks is good, what he thinks is bad.
“We’ll take that all on board and try and use his knowledge and his experience to get better, because that’s how you have to do it.
“Tom’s undoubtedly an outstanding coach and we’ve got to use his qualities and experience to our benefit and to the benefit of the team.”
On the Carabao Cup
Town begin their competitive campaign against Blackpool in the First Round of the Carabao Cup, with Artell insisting there is no difference in the way his side will approach the fixture.
“I’ve done it before as a player. It’s not unusual,” he said.
“It’s just a 3pm kick-off on a Saturday. It doesn’t matter if it’s a cup game or not a cup game.”
On the prospect of another Premier League tie
Having enjoyed a memorable run in the competition last season, Artell admits the possibility of another high-profile tie is an incentive, but insists Town cannot afford to look beyond Saturday’s opponents.
“The second and third round of this competition last year was an outstanding experience,” he said.
“We know what’s at stake. You never know the luck of the draw. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, but we also know you could end up playing Chelsea in the next round.
“We’ve got to make sure we approach the game properly. We will, of course.
“But we’re also talking about a League One team. It certainly won’t be easy. We’re playing a team from a higher division.
“We’re going to give it our everything and if we win and progress, great. We’ll see what we get.
“If we don’t, that’ll be one less distraction to the league campaign.”
You can watch David Artell’s full pre-match press conference below:
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