David Artell salutes ‘comprehensive’ Grimsby win over Bristol Rovers

Grimsby boss David Artell lauded his side’s tactical and physical dominance in their 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers at Blundell Park.

Captain Kieran Green’s second goal of the season was followed up by a stunning Mariners first for Geza David Turi in the first half, with a second-half red card for Tommy Leigh making matters worse for the visitors as they toiled in response.

“It was a comprehensive win against a really good team,” said Artell. “It’s early days, but they’re top of the league, and that was as comprehensive a two-goal win as you’re going to get.

“It was really pleasing all round, with and without the ball, we looked a threat in transition, and we stopped their wide forwards who cheat in transition by staying up the pitch, which forced them into changes at the break.

“In every tactical facet of the game, every positional one, every individual one, I thought we were clearly better, and that’s the most pleasing thing.

“I don’t think you can have a ‘statement’ win this early in the season, I’m not big on labelling them that way, but they’re a good team.

“They play a certain way and are good at what they do, but we did well in stopping them.”

Faroe Islands international Turi waited a while for his first Grimsby goal, but in what was his 52nd appearance for the club, he fired in an early goal-of-the-season contender from range, a product of persistence on the training ground.

Artell added: “It’s something we’ve worked on with him, which is the most pleasing thing.

“He’s got that in his locker, so it’s just about practice, and it is a great reflection on the fact of practising skills to acquire them.”

Rovers have been one of the early pace-setters in League Two, but boss Steve Evans found no redeeming qualities in his side’s performance.

“It was a tough watch,” admitted Evans. “I think we were second best all over the pitch for long periods.

“The first goal is as simple as one they could score, a simple long ball to [Andy] Cook, a flick on, and then Riley Harbottle should just clear his lines.

“The second goal is a fantastic one from the scorer’s point of view; it’s a great strike, but he’s gone a long way with the ball without being challenged.

“Second half, we tried to go with a more physical approach, but that didn’t work because our quality of passes up to the forwards was lacking.

“When you’re hoping that pulling one back could give them butterflies, because they have let leads slip already this season, Tommy [Leigh]’s ill-discipline doesn’t give us the chance.”