David Artell has emphasised the importance of maintaining focus and momentum as the Mariners prepare for an Easter double-header against Harrogate Town and Crawley Town.<\/p>\n
Town return to action on Good Friday at Blundell Park before making the trip to Crawley on Easter Monday, with the Head Coach eager to see his side carry the right mentality into what he describes as a crucial period for the football club.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s everything he had to say ahead of the weekend\u2026<\/p>\n
On the recent break<\/p>\n
With nearly two weeks since the last fixture against Barrow, Artell explained that the squad were given valuable time to recharge before the final run-in.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, the players had plenty of time off and I think it was important both physically and mentally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve earned the time. We\u2019ve had some coaching days over the last few days, but the vast majority of the week before was off so they could spend time away before a really important month for the football club.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the players returning refreshed<\/p>\n
Artell has been pleased with the attitude shown since the group returned to training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they enjoy being in work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve trained well this week, I have to say. If I was a player at this moment in time, I\u2019d be excited.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to a few of the lads and some went away for a few days, some went walking in the Lakes or the North York Moors, and a couple of them said they couldn\u2019t wait to get back because they were bored.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a good mental break from the constant nature of football and hopefully that shows over the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the importance of timing<\/p>\n
With eight games remaining in the season, Artell believes the break could prove beneficial.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first time the football club has really had something like an international break,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve tried to use it as wisely as we could.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives us a full month now where there\u2019s a lot to play for, and that\u2019s an exciting position to be in.\u201d<\/p>\n
On international call ups<\/p>\n
Jude, Clarke, and G\u00e9za were away representing their countries during the break, something Artell views as a positive experience for the players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw a bit of Jude\u2019s game yesterday when he came on and they got a good win to qualify,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cG\u00e9za has already been back in with us and the other two will return tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been in touch with them and they\u2019ve said they\u2019re fine, but we\u2019ll see how they are when they get back and assess whether they can be involved on Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n
On managing the travel<\/p>\n
With long journeys involved for the players returning from international duty, the coaching staff have worked to ensure they return in the best condition possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re professional athletes and they know how to look after themselves,\u201d Artell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we also send them away with a plan from a nutrition and travel perspective so they stay hydrated and manage the journey properly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll come in tomorrow and we\u2019ll see how they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Harvey Rodgers\u2019 new contract<\/p>\n
Artell also spoke about the recent news that Harvey Rodgers has signed a new deal with the Club until the summer of 2028.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s the best right-back in the league,\u201d Artell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t seen a player go past him yet and we\u2019re 38 games in.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe trains properly every day, he\u2019s a good character and he\u2019s developed into a really accomplished full-back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Head Coach also believes there is still more to come from the defender.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s absolutely more to come from him,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s scored some important goals and continues to improve, but the biggest thing is his character. It\u2019s exemplary.\u201d<\/p>\n
On attacking options and competition<\/p>\n
Artell highlighted the strength in depth within his squad, pointing to the impact made by players across the forward positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegardless of the position, we feel as though we\u2019ve got quality and competition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s important because we\u2019re going to need everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Head Coach also referenced Justin Amaluzor\u2019s key contribution earlier in the campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you asked me what the most important single goal this year has been, I\u2019d probably say Justin\u2019s against Shrewsbury on December 29th,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d battered them and couldn\u2019t score, then he comes on and scores a really good goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince that point we\u2019ve lost two in 17 games, so it shows how important those moments can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the challenge of the Easter fixtures<\/p>\n
With matches against two teams battling near the bottom of the table, Artell insists the focus must remain on Town\u2019s own performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter whether it\u2019s Barrow, Harrogate, Crawley, Crewe or Chesterfield,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s about us.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about how we use the ball, how committed we are without it and how we approach the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we play well, we\u2019ll give anyone in this league a game.\u201d<\/p>\n
On preparing for Harrogate and Crawley<\/p>\n
Artell explained that preparation for the two matches requires slightly different approaches, particularly given Crawley\u2019s recent managerial change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Harrogate, Simon Weaver has been there a long time so you have a really clear idea of how they set up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat makes preparation a little more straightforward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Crawley, we\u2019ve had to do a bit more work because there\u2019s a new manager. I went to watch them last weekend to see how they were setting up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite that change, Artell emphasised that the club\u2019s preparation process remains consistent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process is always the same,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t cut corners and we prepare in the same level of detail every time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might just mean there are a few more possibilities to consider.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the run in<\/p>\n
With the final weeks of the campaign approaching, Artell is excited by what lies ahead for the Mariners.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be an exciting time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we focus on what we do and perform well, hopefully we can have a really good few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can watch David Artell\u2019s full pre-match interview with club media below:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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