Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell believes that Grimsby Town’s league position is false because they have had a player sent off in each of their four league games so far this season.
The Mariners are currently in 22nd place in the table after only impressively beating Chesterfield 3-1 on the opening day, but Artell says that it is still very early days in the season.
Artell is looking forward to going into battle with Grimsby boss Russell Slade this weekend. The Crewe Alexandra boss has known Slade since his early days in Rotherham United’s youth team. Slade was then in charge of Sheffield United’s Youth side.
Ahead of this weekend’s fixture at Blundell Park, Artell said: “I have known Russell ever since he was in charge of Sheffield United’s youth team and I was in Rotherham’s youth team. We pipped them to the league title on the final day!
“Russell has become a successful manager. He has managed in the Championship and you don’t do that unless you are an astute manager. I think it is always unfair when people say that his teams play one way, because they don’t. They are a decent side and he has managed to bring in a few in the window as well.
“We know about JJ Hooper and Jamille Matt who has joined on loan from Blackpool. They have also brought in Martyn Woolford, who is a tricky winger and he has played in the Championship as well.
“They will be well organised and have good players. I think they are in a false position in the league because they have had a player sent-off in every game. I’m sure Russell will be talking about discipline because as we know from the Newport game, it is difficult to win with ten men.
“We won’t be taking anything for granted because we are fourth and they are fourth from bottom or wherever they are. I don’t take any notice of that. I know that if we approach the game in the right way then we have a great chance. We are unbeaten and I want it to remain that way.”