David Artell spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash at Boundary Park, as the Mariners look to build on a strong run of form. Town are unbeaten in three and have lost just once in their last fourteen matches, currently occupying the final play-off spot with 11 games remaining.

Here’s everything the boss had to say…

On the recent run of form:

Artell emphasised the importance of consistency as the season enters its decisive phase.

“We’ve said all along we’ve got to keep chipping away, keep plugging away, keep being more consistent. I think those sort of stats suggest we are,” he said.

Acknowledging the significance of the remaining fixtures, the Mariners boss insisted perspective is key.

“There’s a big 11 games to go. They’re all big. But they’re not any bigger than they were in September, November, or January. They’re all worth three points, and we’ve got to make sure we keep turning up.”

On the challenge of Oldham Athletic:

Oldham arrive unbeaten in six matches, conceding just once in their last five games and boasting the best defensive record in the league. Artell stressed the difficulty of the task ahead.

“They’ve got two really strong centre-halves in Donervon Daniels and Manny Monthé, a very good keeper, flying full-backs, wingers, and strikers like Fondop-Talum and Calum Kavanagh who will score goals. They’re a tough nut to crack,” he said.

Reflecting on the Boxing Day fixture at Boundary Park, Artell noted both sides have improved since the 0-0 draw.

“Chances were limited against them at our place, but we’ve lost just once since that day. We’ve progressed, they’ve progressed, and it should be a good game. It’s always a good game going to Oldham, a really historic club, and with 1,500 away fans, it should be lively.”

On squad strength and international recognition:

Artell praised Jude Soonsup-Bell for his latest international call-up with Thailand.

“While we’d obviously prefer to have him with us, it’s pleasing to see Jude getting this recognition. Representing your country is a fantastic experience and shows how far the club has come – we’ve got internationals in our squad,” he said.

On Jason Daði Svanþórsson’s recovery:

Artell provided an update on midfielder Jason Daði Svanþórsson, who has returned to the grass as part of his rehabilitation.

“He’s coming along. We’ve got to be really mindful of the nature of his condition – push him too hard, don’t push him enough, it’s really delicate. There’s a sweet spot. Jason’s a great kid and he’s trying his damnedest to be fit. We all know how good a player he is, and hopefully we’ll get to see him back soon,” he said.

On upcoming fixtures and squad rotation:

With five games in the next couple of weeks, Artell highlighted the importance of squad depth.

“We’ve got a squad of players that whoever’s called upon is capable of delivering what we need on any given matchday. That gives us great comfort during a busy period,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Artell is expecting another fiercely competitive encounter.

“We’ve got to make sure we perform, play well, expose their weaknesses, and nullify their strengths. If we do that, we’ll give ourselves a great chance of winning the game.”

You can watch David Artell’s full pre-match interview with the club media here:

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