Grimsby Town will play in-form Swindon Town at Blundell Park on Friday and league leaders Port Vale on Monday in what could be a season-defining Easter weekend. Both teams will bring a level of physicality in forward areas that the Mariners have occasionally found difficult to handle this season.
With just four games left in the 2024–25 season, Grimsby has improved significantly in the past 12 months under David Artell’s leadership. Both individually and collectively, they have made significant strides in a number of areas, moving from a relegation scrap to the verge of a play-off berth.
The Mariners have gradually improved their collective creativity and possession control, demonstrating the advantages of their successful hiring during the previous three transfer windows.
In addition to becoming more streetwise against the league’s best teams, Artell’s team has demonstrated a level of confidence and belief that has allowed them to win games this season at places like AFC Wimbledon, Colchester United, Doncaster Rovers, and Walsall.
Nonetheless, there are several areas that need more work. One of those is putting up with physically powerful and aggressive opponents, especially when defending their penalty box. This was highlighted again on Saturday as Grimsby allowed a two-goal lead to slip late at Harrogate Town.
The Mariners can struggle to defend set-pieces in Tharme’s absence
Artell’s men appeared to be cruising to another fine victory on the road after a sensational Kieran Green strike from his own half was followed up by a blistering finish from Jason Dadi Svanthórsson to give the Mariners a two-goal cushion at the halfway point.
However, Simon Weaver’s battlers took a more direct approach after the break, and this paid dividends as they scored twice in the final stages to rescue a point.
It was a frustrating outcome for the Grimsby boss and their supporters, and one that could prove decisive in the final reckoning.
Both Harrogate goals arrived after central defender Doug Tharme, suffering with cramp, had been replaced by Tyrell Warren. Without the former’s commanding presence, aerial dominance and organisational skills, the Mariners found it tough to defend the box against a spate of Harrogate corners and long-throws, one of which led to the Sulphurites’ equaliser as Danny Rose unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.
Grimsby, a very technical side, have looked a little lightweight by comparison to their opponents at times this season. Though Artell’s side have often managed this well to get the better of their counterparts, there are times when it has been their undoing, particularly when Tharme isn’t their to lead the backline.
This will be tested once again this weekend, as they come up against 6’5″ Swindon striker Harry Smith. The former Leyton Orient and Sutton United frontman is aggressive, confrontational, and a real threat in opposing territory.
Smith has been in great form for the Robins under Ian Holloway, who returns to Blundell Park for the first time since his acrimonious 2020 exit, getting in among the goals himself and providing an exceptional foil for fellow attackers Kabongo Tshimanga and Paul Glatzel.
While Grimsby have looked far better on the whole this season, they still remain a little leaky defensively, having conceded 60 league goals so far. For context, only eight teams have conceded more, and the Mariners will need to be on top form as a unit to keep a free-scoring Swindon at bay and pick up a vital victory. Tharme against Smith is a key battle that will potentially go a long way to deciding the outcome.
Table-topping Valiants present a similar threat in the shape of Jayden Stockley
After facing a physical headache against Swindon, the Mariners face a similar problem in Easter Monday’s clash at Port Vale.
Darren Moore’s side are in sparkling form, soaring to the top of the league standings having won six of their last seven games, including victories against fellow highfliers Bradford City and Walsall, and a thumping 5-0 success against Bromley last time out.
Grimsby Town are pushing for promotion from League Two despite having a wage bill that is in the bottom half of the division.
The Valiants have a very strong squad at their disposal, with the likes of Ben Garrity, George Byers, and Ryan Croasdale among the best midfielders in the division, and forward Laurent Tolaj finding the net regularly.
Partnering Tolaj in attack is likely
to be Jayden Stockley, an accomplished man-mountain attacker who has exceptional aerial skill and the acumen to use his body to inflict the most harm possible on opponents.
Stockley is one of the more effective forwards in the fourth division because to his experience and cunning from playing at a higher level on a regular basis. He has formed a formidable partnership with Tolaj, a former Aldershot Town player, that Grimsby will need to be at their absolute best to handle. The same is true of the difficult challenge that comes before Swindon, Smith, and Tshimanga’s trip to the East Coast.
