Grimsby Town: David Artell shouldn't shy away from returning to Denver Hume alternative - View | OneFootball

Attacking winger Charles Vernam has had a frustrating season for Grimsby Town, largely interrupted by injuries. The Mariners have, in-turn, missed the direct running, quick feet and creativity of the wideman. Vernam has recently returned to fitness, however, and with suspension and injury keeping regular left-sided options Denver Hume - the former Sunderland and Portsmouth man signed by David Artell in January - and Anthony Glennon out, the former Derby County youngster slotted in at wing-back superbly for last weekend's visit of Newport County, offering a real threat going forward while coping admirably with the defensive side the role requires.

27-year-old Vernam is in his third spell with the Mariners, firstly joining on an initial loan agreement from the Rams in January 2018 before penning a permanent two-year contract ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. Spells at Burton Albion, Bradford City and Lincoln City followed, before the winger returned to Grimsby last summer, signing a three-year deal after the club agreed an undisclosed fee with the Imps.

Having struggled for form at the beginning of the season, Vernam was substituted at half-time during August's Football League Trophy clash with Manchester City's Under-21's with an injury that turned out to be a muscle tear that required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. During the winger's absence, Paul Hurst was replaced by Artell in the Mariners dugout, with Vernam returning to the matchday squad for New Year's Day's home defeat to Walsall, where he made a late cameo off the bench.

Playing some part in the subsequent five games, Vernam picked up another knock, from which he returned less than a month ago, gradually building up his fitness before starting in the unfamiliar left wing-back role in place of the suspended Hume - Artell's first-choice on the left prior to picking up a late red card in Easter Monday's clash with Bradford City - for last weekend's 1-0 success against Newport County at Blundell Park, putting in an energetic performance that showed the Mariners' fans what they had been missing.

It was his defensive awareness and positioning that was, perhaps, a pleasant surprise to Mariners fans who may have been a little concerned pre-match that Vernam could be exposed and overpowered in defensive areas. Though Vernam is known to have played in the wing-back position on occasion for other clubs, Grimsby fans are more used to seeing him much higher up the pitch, with less responsibility for protecting his own goal.

However, the former Bradford man competed well, and was still able to provide his side's more creative moments from his changed role, regularly getting the better of his Newport counterpart, Harrison Bright, on the flank to cause problems while maintaining a steady balance for the side overall.

Having impressed against the Welsh side, many were anticipating Vernam keeping his place for the midweek visit to Harrogate Town. However, the versatile Harry Clifton was chosen ahead of the former Lincoln man, with Vernam brought on in a more attacking role during the second-half of the 1-0 defeat in North Yorkshire.

The decision by Artell is understandable in many ways. Vernam is still getting up to speed following his recent injury and two games in a short space of time may not have been ideal. Perhaps Clifton is also seen as a safer option for a tough away game, providing the energy to get up and down the pitch more easily and deal with Harrogate's impressive right-sided dangerman Derrick Abu (on loan at the Sulphurites from Championship club Southampton).

In hindsight, though, Artell may have wished he'd stuck with Vernam in the wing-back role, as Clifton (and Hume, who replaced him as a second-half substitute) struggled to deal with Abu while offering little going forward. The first-half in particular saw Clifton and striker Justin Obikwu pick up good areas in the left channel, but struggle to make the most of those opportunities in their attempts to give the Mariners an advantage. A player with Vernam's ability to beat his man or cut inside to get his shot off could have seen a different outcome and enabled the Mariners to grab the lead while they were on top in that opening period.

With his Grimsby side still searching for points in the League Two relegation battle, offering a genuine attacking threat is paramount to the Mariners' aspirations of survival. The Blundell Park outfit has lacked a creative spark for much of the season, and while the squad shows no shortage of effort, there's regularly been a dearth of craft that would enable Artell's side to capitalise when on top in games, extend leads, or break down organised opponents once behind in matches. Hume has certainly been steady since his January arrival, but he doesn't offer these attributes in the way that Vernam does.

Vernam gives that unpredictability that others don't. His pace and trickery can force sides back and cause havoc, as well as get his team up the pitch at times to relieve pressure. While it's important to be organised, it's equally vital to have that balance; to pose a real and varied threat to sides, who then have to alter their setup accordingly.

Hume, Clifton, and Glennon (when selected) offer the safe, pragmatic option on the left-side. Vernam gives you that adventure and attacking edge, and with much of the Mariners squad being more of the hard-working variety than imaginative, Artell opting for the winger's inclusion in the wing-back role for the remaining four games of the season may just provide that extra ingenuity needed to secure Grimsby's short-term objective.