Grimsby Town can't afford to repeat triple transfer mistake this summer | OneFootball

Grimsby Town have opted to bring in a trio of largely inexperienced goalkeepers in recent seasons. It hasn't worked out, and can't happen again.

Over the past two years, Grimsby Town have signed three largely inexperienced goalkeepers in the hope of developing their potential through regular first-team football. However, while the trio have all made useful contributions at times, none have looked suitably assured or consistent, and David Artell must opt for a seasoned number one if his side is to progress further.

Although it ultimately ended in final day disappointment as the Mariners missed out on the League Two play-offs, the 2024/25 season as a whole can be viewed as a positive one, with solid foundations to build on moving forward.

However, there are clear areas of weakness that must be rectified if Grimsby are to take the next step. Defensively, the Mariners have looked fragile over the last two campaigns, and while that doesn't solely fall on the back four or five, and the team must become more resolute and mentally strong as a unit, certain alterations are a necessity to set that in motion.

In a recent article, we looked at what needs to change in order to tighten up a Grimsby side who, despite pushing at the right end of the table, conceded 67 goals last time out. As mentioned, a key factor that requires immediate attention is in the goalkeeping department, and Artell will surely be seeking out someone who can calm a capable, but inconsistent back-line in front of him.

Eastwood, Cartwright, and Wright have all struggled at times

Previous boss Paul Hurst replaced 2022 promotion winner and 2023 FA Cup hero Max Crocombe with former Sheffield United man Jake Eastwood ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, also bringing in Hull City youngster Harvey Cartwright on a season-long loan for competition.

Eastwood, who'd spent a brief spell on loan at Blundell Park a few years prior, arrived for an undisclosed fee and started the subsequent campaign as the Mariners' first choice.

However, despite being in his mid-twenties, the Yorkshireman had limited senior experience, having played a back-up role with the Blades and spending sporadic temporary stays in the lower half of the EFL.

While Eastwood had some good performances, there were also many occasions where he struggled as he and his colleagues drifted down the fourth-tier table, leading to Hurst being replaced by Artell in the dugout and a string of poor results.

The former Crewe Alexandra boss gave Cartwright a run in the first-team, but, again, while the locally-born youngster showed glimpses of the qualities that have seen him capped at junior levels within the England national setup, he often looked jittery and perhaps not ready for senior football at this level at that time.

As a consequence, Artell opted to pay an undisclosed fee for Lincoln City back-up Jordan Wright last year, making the 26-year-old, who seemed well-thought of at his previous club, his first choice for the season just gone.

However, like Eastwood and Cartwright, the new man had very little first-team experience under his belt, and despite possessing all the attributes required to succeed, the giant goalkeeper looked nervous, which in turn impacted on those in front of him as the Mariners continued to ship goals.

Wright was dropped in place of Eastwood soon after the latter's return from injury, with the former Blade finishing the season as number one. But while both have had some positive moments in a Grimsby shirt, it's become clear Artell will need to search for a better option over the coming weeks and months.

Eastwood released, and Wright transfer listed as Artell makes a ruthless, but necessary decision

The Mariners announced their retained and released list earlier in the week, and while there were few surprises in terms of the decisions the Grimsby manager has made, his call on the two senior goalkeepers points to him looking for a new number one as a matter of priority.

Eastwood, who has spent much of the season battling back from a horrific injury picked up at Carlisle United back in September, has been released upon the expiry of his contract, while Wright has been placed on the transfer list, with Artell making a ruthless, but, perhaps, correct decision in what is a key area of the side.

Any new addition will need to be more comfortable with the ball at his feet to fit in to stylistically, while a more experienced, assertive shot-stopper would almost certainly have a positive effect on those in front of him as the Mariners seek more overall solidity.

Wright being made available for transfer doesn't necessarily mean we've seen the last of him in a Grimsby shirt. The 26-year-old may use it as motivation to come back stronger in pre-season, work on improving his all-round game, and fight any new arrival for the number one shirt.

However, it's almost certain that he'll start the season in a back-up role, and at his age and at this point in his career, the former Lincoln man will surely be looking to establish himself and play regularly. To make that happen, he'll likely need to head for pastures new.