David Artell comments suggest Grimsby Town are following Bristol Rovers blueprint with double signing: View | OneFootball

Recent double signing of Cameron McJannet and Matty Carson show Grimsby Town are investing in potential one again.

Highlights

Grimsby Town has had a productive week in the transfer market, bringing in former Reading and Accrington Stanley left-back Matty Carson on a two-year deal, while also signing versatile defender Cameron McJannet for an undisclosed fee from Irish top-flight club Derry City. Mariners fans will be hopeful that both will play a key role in their side's progression, possibly viewing the club as a potential stepping stone for talented footballers to showcase their talent.

After coming through the Luton Town youth system before joining Stoke City's Under-21's in the summer of 2016, McJannet spent a season on loan at non-league Curzon Ashton in 2018/19, then made the permanent move to the League of Ireland Premier Division side in 2020.

A left-sided central defender, also capable of filling in at left-back, McJannet became an important player for the Candystripes over the subsequent four years, making 145 appearances in that time, including eight in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers. On occasion captaining the side, the Milton Keynes native etched his name in Derry folklore in 2022 when he scored two goals and picked up the man of the match award during City's 4-0 FAI Cup Final victory over Shelbourne at the Aviva Stadium.

After securing the services of McJannet, Grimsby head coach Artell told the club's official website he was "delighted with the acquisition".

He added: "I went to see him over in Ireland, and he's the profile we're after. He's dominant in the air, he's got an excellent range of passing (and) he makes good decisions."

The Mariners' manager also hinted that the 25-year-old defender has the potential to reach higher performance levels and that there was, perhaps, competition for his signature.

Artell said: "We feel as though he's an excellent acquisition, and we can make him even better, so all in all, we're delighted that he's chosen us to further his career, and we're excited to work with him."

Carson joined the Mariners a day before McJannet, signing a two-year deal following his release from League One Reading. A former Liverpool and Burnley youth player, the 21-year-old attacking full-back has spent time with Accrington Stanley in between loan spells at non-league sides Nelson, Padiham, AFC Telford United and Stalybridge Celtic, as well as playing in Northern Ireland with Carrick Rangers.

Carson falls more in the 'rough diamond' category. A young player with limited first-team experience - having made just 17 appearances in total for Reading during his time there - the energetic full-back is one for the Grimsby coaching staff to work with on the training ground as they look to develop his obvious talent.

The Chester-born 21-year-old is a pacy full-back who likes to get forward and deliver crosses into the box with a left foot that has seen him marked out by Royals supporters as something of a set-piece specialist.

Again commenting on gtfc.co.uk after the signing, Artell said he was "really excited to work with him (Carson)".

He added: "He's got unbelievable attributes, especially in an attacking sense. He's got a real growth mindset on a young set of shoulders, which is fantastic."

It appears the Mariners' recruitment process has them looking for talented footballers with room to grow and improve, providing that platform for progression, which is something they've had some success with in recent times.

'Stepping stone' approach could be Grimsby's way forward

Buying talented young footballers to improve, both as individuals and the team as a collective, is a model many teams would like to run with in an ideal world.

The realities and requirements of the game often make this difficult, but with Grimsby going down a data-led approach to recruitment moving forward, it may be possible for them to implement this a little, positioning themselves as a stepping stone for players to progress, while the Mariners themselves look to reach higher levels in the process.

Peterborough United are, perhaps, the standout club who operate in this manner, and it's served them well over the last decade or two. While it may not be realistic or feasible to solely bring in 'rough diamonds' to polish up, as a certain amount of experience, nous and understanding is always required to succeed in the fourth tier - looking to bring in at least two or three young players a year on long-term contracts with the potential to improve the side and, perhaps, make the club an eventual profit should be part of the Blundell Park club's directive moving forward.

It's something Grimsby achieved last season, bringing in Sierra Leone youngster Kamil Conteh, who joined from Championship club Middlesbrough in the summer of 2023, before moving on to League One Bristol Rovers in the January transfer window.

We at FLW assessed that move and method as a way forward for the club in a previous article, and while it's too idealistic to expect it to be successful every time, and getting the balance of the side right is always paramount, actively using all the tools now available to instill this game model ethos could see the club flourish in the future.

McJannet and Carson signings help solve three-fold requirements

Artell and Grimsby have many areas where squad upgrades and improvements are required following a poor campaign last time out. While creativity in attacking areas was sorely lacking and will need to be rectified in the coming weeks and months, there were some notable defensive issues that needed ironing out, too.

The signings of centre-back McJannet and full-back Carson go some way to solving these issues in many ways. Both being left-footed players comfortable on the ball will add balance and fit in nicely with Artell's preferred possession-based style, while the fact that the pair are also pacey - an attribute largely missing throughout the Mariners' squad last season - will allow Grimsby to squeeze up the pitch more without as much fear of being caught on the counter-attack.

Pinning opponents in their own half more will again suit a side that will surely be looking to adopt a passing style with quick interchanges, while Carson's quality of delivery and set-pieces should lead to more chances and goals, especially with striker Danny Rose benefitting from a higher standard of service.

*The club is still awaiting confirmation of left-back Denver Hume's decision on a contract renewal at the time of writing.

The Mariners appear to have made a solid start to their summer recruitment, building from the back with the additions of right-sided defender Tyrell Warren and goalkeeper Jordan Wright joining from Barrow and Lincoln City respectively, prior to the arrivals of Carson and McJannet. While further defensive additions are still required, Artell will be looking to carry on his rebuild by adding midfield and attacking reinforcements soon, and bringing in players with coachable potential could be the way forward for Grimsby in an ever-competitive League Two.