David Artell may seek to end Grimsby Town isolation with Salford City switch-up: View | OneFootball

Striker Danny Rose can sometimes cut an isolated figure in Grimsby Town's attack. Could David Artell opt to give him some help against Salford City?

There have been plenty of positives and a few negatives on display in Grimsby Town's opening ten League Two matches, which have yielded 15 points from five wins and five defeats.

While injuries have hit David Artell's side hard in the early part of the 2024/25 campaign, the former Gibraltar international has been able to implement his possession-based style reasonably well, with the Mariners playing some superb football at times.

The midfield trio of George McEachran, Evan Khouri, and Kieran Green have all excelled, complimenting one another in an effective Grimsby engine room.

With Curtis Thompson, Jayden Luker and Jordan Davies returning to the fold at various stages over the coming weeks and months, too, the Mariners look to have strengthened significantly in the middle of the park.

Defensive frailties remain, though there are signs of cohesive improvement in recent weeks, Artell's side are still to find that consistency when protecting their goal. The constant changing of goalkeepers (Grimsby have used four so far this season) due to injury will have done little to help in this regard.

With the exception of the now injured Charles Vernam, the wide players have struggled to make a regular impact on games, however, and while the likes of Luca Barrington, borrowed from Brighton for the season, and Jason Dadi Svanthórsson have offered a threat at times, they've looked lightweight and ineffective at others.

Barrington is a youngster getting his first taste of senior football, while Svanthórsson is still adapting to a new country and culture, so inconsistencies are perhaps to be expected at this early stage.

However, when their attacking wide players aren't firing, Artell's preferred 4-3-3 formation can leave his side wanting in other areas on occasion, and it's something the Grimsby boss may look to address for the weekend's trip to Salford City.

Striker Danny Rose can often look isolated in attacking areas

The Mariners head to Greater Manchester on Saturday, the scene of one of their better away performances in recent times, winning 3-0 at the Peninsula Stadium at the end of December.

Forward Danny Rose was on the scoresheet that night, rounding off the victory with a second-half strike from the edge of the area.

Now back to full fitness, the Mariners captain remains an integral figure, leading the line and providing the main goal threat for a side he leads by example.

He can, however, cut an isolated figure in the Grimsby attack on occasion, particularly when those aforementioned wingers are struggling to get into the game.

In the short term, while the Seagulls' loanee and the Icelandic international continue to adapt, they may be better used as impact substitutes, with Artell opting to give Rose a strike partner to work with in an attempt to give his side more forward impetus.

This would require a formation switch-up, either to a 5-3-2 or a narrow midfield diamond. Both of which the Mariners' manager could easily adopt with the options he has at his disposal, despite the persistent trail of absentees.

Artell has many options available to partner Rose in attack

While fitness issues continue to cause concern in other areas of the Mariners squad, their forward options are looking better than they have in some time.

Donovan Wilson has proved a very useful deputy or alternative for Rose when required, offering pace, strength, and goals, though perhaps not as consistently as he would like.

Coventry City loan man Justin Obikwu is returning to fitness, starting the midweek EFL Trophy clash with Lincoln City. The big striker shows plenty of raw potential, and may be a good foil alongside the Mariners captain should he get the nod.

Obikwu is a mobile, physical presence, with a good turn of pace to get on the end of flick-ons and balls in behind. His frame also makes him a useful option at set-pieces, both in attacking and defensive quarters.

Perhaps the most likely choice for Saturday's game, however, would be Cameron Gardner, who has impressed in his cameo appearances in the early months of the campaign.

The 19-year-old is a hardworking forward with the physique and fitness levels to be a persistent problem for opposing defenders, giving them no time to settle while pressing with tenacity.

The youngster's mobility allows him to run the channels and get on to through balls, while his movement is exceptional for such an inexperienced player.

Whether and how Artell will look to switch things up in terms of personnel and system remains to be seen, but he certainly has the players to do so. If he and his Grimsby team are to achieve another victory on their travels to Salford, and in subsequent matches thereafter, giving Rose a partner up front could prove decisive.