Grimsby Town has had a productive time over the past seven days, with last Saturday’s vital 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Forest Green Rovers at Blundell Park backed up by a hard-earned point in a goalless draw at play-off chasing AFC Wimbledon.
Having recently changed to using three central defenders and wing-backs in a 5-3-2 formation, a tactical alteration that gives his side a much-needed sense of solidity and structure, David Artell understandably kept faith with the same starting XI from last weekend’s important win for the midweek trip to the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
With four points gained along with consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season, the Mariners head coach will be pleased with the resilience and organisation offered by this new-found approach, carried out admirably by a determined core group.
Both games, however, were physically and mentally demanding, attritional affairs, and understandably, many players looked visibly tired and somewhat jaded throughout the second-half on Tuesday evening. With games coming thick and fast – Artell’s men are largely playing every four or five days until the seasons’ end – it may be that the Grimsby manager needs to freshen things up a little ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash with Sutton United, who are themselves battling for Football League survival.
The trip to Gander Green Lane is likely to be another physical, hard-fought encounter, and with next week’s fixtures against Milton Keynes Dons and Gillingham in mind, other members of the squad could be asked to play their part as The Mariners look to make it seven points from nine available over the last week.
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