Artell Backs Grimsby Town Vs Salford City After 3-1 Win
David Artell has parked Grimsby Town's regular-season edge over Salford City ahead of grimsby town vs salford city, calling the two wins “largely irrelevant” before the League Two play-off semi-final first leg. Grimsby won both league meetings, including a 3-1 home victory in March, but Artell said the tie should be approached as any other game.
Artell’s Grimsby approach
“Our approach and our way of doing things will always be the same, that's what we do,” Artell said. “That's not governed by opposition. If that was the case, we'd have had a root-and-branch approach after Bromley away (a 2-0 loss) at the end of December.”
He pointed to the run that followed that defeat. “But then from that game onward, we've been the best team in the league. So you'd be changing something that didn't need changing.” The message was clear enough: Grimsby are not treating Salford as a special case despite the league double.
Grimsby’s four changes
Grimsby made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Tranmere on the final day of the season. Reece Staunton, Harvey Rodgers, Clarke Oduor and Jaze Kabia came into the side, while Jayden Sweeney, Tyrell Warren, Jamie Walker and Charles Vernam dropped to the bench.
Karl Robinson also altered Salford City’s lineup, making three changes from the 0-0 draw at Crawley. Those switches leave both sides looking different from the teams that finished the regular season, even with Grimsby carrying the cleaner head-to-head record.
League Two pressure
The semi-final first leg carries a straight promotion prize for both clubs. Grimsby are chasing a return to the third tier for the first time in 22 years, while Salford are trying to reach League One for the first time ever.
Artell’s final instruction matched the tone of his wider message: “We concentrate on the next game. That's what we've done all season. That's how it is. Don't look too far ahead. But be the best version of you, understand what's required of you. Let's go.” Grimsby may have beaten Salford twice already, but the first leg now starts from zero.
