This Saturday will see David Artell’s Grimsby side make the lengthy trip down to Gloucestershire in hopes of repeating the result from the reverse fixture.
Last time out at Blundell Park, Artell’s men secured a 3-2 win over Michael Flynn’s Robins courtesy of a stoppage time winner from Jordan Davies.
Cheltenham Town FC
This season has been a particularly interesting one for the Robins. Coming off the back of relegation from League One, losing your manager and a massive overhaul in players, it raised the question of whether a back-to-back relegation was on the cards. After all, that very scenario happened to their neighbours, Forest Green Rovers just two seasons before.
Instead, Cheltenham have surprisingly hit the ground running considering the big change of players in the summer. Safety from the drop looks to be on the horizon for Town, with some optimistic fans wondering if the Robins could sneak into the play-offs.
It has taken some time for new boss Flynn to find his preferred starting lineup, often shifting defenders around, moving players out of their preferred positions and experimenting with his forward line but it appears that Flynn and his team may have found the formula. Since their 3-2 loss to Grimsby just two games into the season, they have gone on to pick up 12 wins and currently sit 11th in the league.
Grimsby Town
Ambitions for the Mariners this season would have been to build upon last season and widen the gap between themselves and the relegation zone. The conclusion of the 23/24 League Two season saw David Artell’s first year with this Grimsby side finish in 21st place, just two spots away from the dreaded drop zone. However, Artell will have far exceeded fans expectations, chipping away through the league and often flirting in and around the play-offs as the weeks have gone on.
Artell has a great track record when it comes to long term projects, making him a desirable candidate for teams willing to stick out shaky form in pursuit of the manager’s vision. During his five-year stint at Crewe Alexandra, he made evident progression climbing up through League Two year on year eventually gaining promotion with the Railwaymen into League One.
David Artell’s style of attacking football has seen the Mariners leak goals just as quick as they can score them. However, they have done enough to keep themselves in the play-off conversation. It has not always been smooth sailing this season for Grimsby, but they have a respectable 16 wins so far this season and sit in eighth place; just a point behind Artell’s former club Crewe, upping the importance ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Form
Cheltenham go into this match with an impressive home record, only losing three times at home in the league; picking up nine wins and four draws. Town will look to continue their great home form after the hard-fought comeback to league leaders Walsall on Tuesday night.
In their last five games, Grimsby have drawn once and won four games on the bounce; their longest win run in the league this season. The Mariners have also not lost to a Cheltenham side since December of 2018. The Mariners have 16 wins, three draws and 13 loses
Players to Watch:
Matty Taylor – Cheltenham Town
Experienced frontman Matty Taylor has had a wealth of EFL experience across his playing career. Despite his age, the 33-year-old has found a recent vein of form finding the back of the net three times in two games. Taylor’s goal tally for this season stands at four with the other two goals coming from the Grimsby Town 3-2 loss and last weeks’ Newport win respectively. Two of those three goals helped to complete a comeback against Barrow two weeks ago, scoring twice in a 3-2 win. While Taylor has had to step aside at times for regular striker George Miller, Taylor continues to show that form is temporary, but class is permanent.
Justin Obikwu – Grimsby Town
Coventry City Loanee, Justin Obikwu, is still very young but has bags of potential and a promising future. The 21-year-old stands at 6’3 and has all the attributes of a fantastic forward; great strength, intelligence and an abundance of pace. Obikwu has registered seven goals so far in his first season of professional football with six coming from his last ten appearances. Furthermore, his current form has seen him score a goal in each of Grimsby’s last three matches; preforming arguably some of the most clinical football he has played since joining the Mariners. He has benefited greatly from playing alongside experienced EFL striker, and Grimsby top goal scorer, Danny Rose up top. If Obikwu continues to play to his strengths like that we have seen of him recently, there is no reason why he can not hit double figures this season.
