David Artell says the Mariners must stay grounded and focused on the task ahead as they prepare for a huge final home league fixture against Swindon Town this weekend.
Town return to Blundell Park knowing that victory would secure a place in the play-offs, but the Head Coach is determined to keep the focus firmly on performance rather than occasion.
Here’s everything he had to say ahead of Saturday’s clash…
On quickly moving on from Tuesday night
Artell admitted there has been little time to reflect following the dramatic late win at Cambridge, with attention immediately turning to the next challenge.
“It’s another game, part of the schedule,” he said.
“You get back late, watch the game, and then it’s straight back into work – recruitment, the Swindon game.
“The lads were back in this morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and we prepare for another big one on Saturday.”
On shared goals across the team
With multiple players contributing in front of goal, Artell highlighted the importance of a collective approach.
“It’s the way I like the team to play, we’re not relying on one individual,” he said.
“We score goals together and we defend as a team.
“The more threats you have and the more discipline you show, the more clean sheets you get and the more goals you score.
“It’s a fantastic achievement and shows the quality we’ve got.”
On the play off opportunity
Despite the significance of the occasion, Artell insists his side will approach it like any other fixture.
“It’s the same as every game,” he said.
“We don’t get too high when we win and we don’t get too low when we lose.
“The players always meet the challenge and our performances have been good for a long time now.
“If we remain consistent, we’ve got as good a chance as anyone.”
On consistency since Christmas
The Head Coach praised his side’s development over the course of the season, particularly their ability to deliver consistent performances.
“It’s a testament to the players,” he said.
“We’ve spoken a lot about progression.
“Now we’ve got that consistency in both performance and results, especially since Christmas.
“If we can maintain that, we’ve got a great chance of extending our season.”
On the challenge posed by Swindon
Artell expects a tough test against a side with clear attacking threats.
“They’ve got the top goalscorer in the league,” he said.
“It’s a terrific return and he’s obviously a big strength for them.
“But we don’t set up to stop one man, we have to be mindful of their whole team.
“They can change systems and adapt, so we’ve got to have the answers.”
On Ian Holloway’s return
While acknowledging the narrative around the Swindon boss, Artell was clear that the focus remains on the players.
“It’s not about Ian Holloway,” he said.
“He’s not playing the game and I’m not playing the game.
“It’s about our 18 players against their 18 players.
“Our focus should be on us.”
On the sold out Blundell Park
With a full house expected, Artell called on supporters to play their part once again.
“The fans have been fantastic,” he said.
“The noise they made at Gillingham and Cambridge was incredible.
“It’s a sell-out, so bring your noise again.
“Hopefully we can get one more win to get us over the line.”
On Tuesday’s dramatic winner
Artell reflected on the scenes following Cameron McJannet’s stoppage-time goal.
“If you score a 94th-minute winner, you can lose it a bit,” he said.
“It was terrific scenes and hopefully there’s more of that to come.”
On embracing the occasion
With everything on the line, Artell is relishing the opportunity but keeping expectations in check.
“These are the games we want to be involved in,” he said.
“We don’t want dead rubbers.
“We’re in decent form and we’ve got to get over the line.
“If we do that, it’s another step in the right direction.”
With the stakes clear and momentum building, the Mariners now turn their attention to Saturday, aiming to deliver in front of a sold-out Blundell Park and secure their place in the play-offs.
You can watch David Artell’s full pre-match interview below:
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