There are a few areas that Grimsby Town will likely look to improve in the January transfer window, as they start to mould a team in new head coach David Artell’s image.
From his unveiling press conference, the new man in the Mariners dugout has made it clear how he wants the team to play, and how he expected it to be quite a radical change from what the current group of Town players have been used to.
His style is possession-focused, with an emphasis on playing out from the back and through the thirds, in a more methodical way, as opposed to pumping the ball long and hoping for knockdowns and second balls, or sitting deep and springing quickly on the counter.
Grimsby were more of a transition team under previous manager Paul Hurst, and players were recruited to fit such a style, which has meant the switch in the style of play has not been seamless for Artell, which has not come as a surprise to the man himself.
It is clear what Town are lacking is not allowing them to carry out Artell’s in-game plans in the most effective way, and that is what he will likely begin to address this month with some new faces.
Firstly, while Harvey Cartwright has had some good moments in goal so far, Town have to look beyond him, with the 21-year-old being a loan signing from Hull Cty. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that they bring in a more experienced goalkeeper who, vitally, is confident with the ball at their feet.
If a coach wants their team to play short from the back, then the goalkeeper has to feel comfortable in possession, as they are at the start of every move and the first pass out can often be crucial in determining whether the team can progress the ball quickly or not.
You need ball-playing central defenders as well who can carry the ball out from the back and make the first line-breaking pass, which takes the opposition’s pressing forwards out of the play quickly, and that is another thing Town are perhaps lacking at this moment.
None of the current centre-backs are in world-beating form defensively speaking, which leaks into other areas of their game, and January provides a chance to bring in a fresh option or two at the back, who can play in the possession-dominant team.
While Grimsby could stand to improve in central midfield, they have a good amount of options already, which means that there might have to be movement outwards before anything happens the other way in that area of the pitch.
In the wide areas, Town lack a bit of versatility as well as end product from their current options as a collective, and greater consistency is needed in those areas in selection and performances to see the team reach their peak in a creative sense.
The current wide options are all slightly too similar in what they offer, in terms of wanting to play an inverted role rather than being an out-and-out wide man who can stretch the back line and whip dangerous crosses into the box.
At centre-forward, Town just need an option or two who can stay fit and be a reliable back-up to Danny Rose, providing something different to what he does. Rekeil Pyke and Donovan Wilson are decent forwards, but the most underrated ability in football is availability.
Generally speaking, the Mariners need more press-resistant players who are agile, technical and can progress play, beating the press that many teams in the division like to enforce rather than simply keeping the ball.
Town have been caught out on the ball too often in dangerous areas, which has often led to their demise in games this term, in particular, the last two home games against Harrogate Town and Walsall, where they had more possession, but not areas that threatened the opposition.
January business never happens easily in football, but it is a key moment early in Artell’s tenure to make much-needed changes that will hopefully make his job easier in implementing his play style.
Original story at https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/
