Grimsby Town: David Artell has Swindon Town headache on recent evidence | OneFootball

Grimsby struggled with Harrogate's physicality in the latter stages of Saturday's clash, and may face a similar problem with Swindon's Harry Smith.

Grimsby Town head into a difficult-looking and potentially season-defining Easter weekend which sees them face in-form Swindon Town at Blundell Park on Friday, before a trip to league leaders Port Vale on Monday, with both sides offering a level of physicality in forward areas that the Mariners have struggled to deal with at times this campaign.

In what has been a hugely improved 12 months for the Blundell Park outfit under the stewardship of David Artell, Grimsby have come on leaps and bounds in many areas, both individually and as a collective, and that progress has seen them go from a relegation scrap to the cusp of a play-off berth with just four games remaining of the 2024/25 season.

Gradually, the Mariners have become more creative as a unit and more controlled in possession, showing the benefit of strong recruitment over the last three transfer windows.

Artell's side have also notably become more streetwise against the league's top sides, showing a level of confidence and belief that has seen them be victorious at the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Colchester United, Doncaster Rovers, and Walsall so far this season.

There are, however, a few aspects that require further refinement. One of those is standing up to physically strong and combative opponents, particularly when defending their penalty box, and this came to the fore once more as Grimsby let a two-goal lead slip late on at Harrogate Town on Saturday.

The Mariners can struggle to defend set-pieces in Tharme's absence

Artell's men appeared to be cruising to another fine victory on the road after a sensational Kieran Green strike from his own half was followed up by a blistering finish from Jason Dadi Svanthórsson to give the Mariners a two-goal cushion at the halfway point.

However, Simon Weaver's battlers took a more direct approach after the break, and this paid dividends as they scored twice in the final stages to rescue a point.

It was a frustrating outcome for the Grimsby boss and their supporters, and one that could prove decisive in the final reckoning.

Both Harrogate goals arrived after central defender Doug Tharme, suffering with cramp, had been replaced by Tyrell Warren. Without the former's commanding presence, aerial dominance and organisational skills, the Mariners found it tough to defend the box against a spate of Harrogate corners and long-throws, one of which led to the Sulphurites' equaliser as Danny Rose unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.

Grimsby, a very technical side, have looked a little lightweight by comparison to their opponents at times this season. Though Artell's side have often managed this well to get the better of their counterparts, there are times when it has been their undoing, particularly when Tharme isn't their to lead the backline.

This will be tested once again this weekend, as they come up against 6'5" Swindon striker Harry Smith. The former Leyton Orient and Sutton United frontman is aggressive, confrontational, and a real threat in opposing territory.

Smith has been in great form for the Robins under Ian Holloway, who returns to Blundell Park for the first time since his acrimonious 2020 exit, getting in among the goals himself and providing an exceptional foil for fellow attackers Kabongo Tshimanga and Paul Glatzel.

While Grimsby have looked far better on the whole this season, they still remain a little leaky defensively, having conceded 60 league goals so far. For context, only eight teams have conceded more, and the Mariners will need to be on top form as a unit to keep a free-scoring Swindon at bay and pick up a vital victory. Tharme against Smith is a key battle that will potentially go a long way to deciding the outcome.

Table-topping Valiants present a similar threat in the shape of Jayden Stockley

After facing a physical headache against Swindon, the Mariners face a similar problem in Easter Monday's clash at Port Vale.

Darren Moore's side are in sparkling form, soaring to the top of the league standings having won six of their last seven games, including victories against fellow highfliers Bradford City and Walsall, and a thumping 5-0 success against Bromley last time out.

The Valiants have a very strong squad at their disposal, with the likes of Ben Garrity, George Byers, and Ryan Croasdale among the best midfielders in the division, and forward Laurent Tolaj finding the net regularly.

Partnering Tolaj in attack is likely to be Jayden Stockley, a seasoned man-mountain of a striker with supreme aerial ability and the nous to use his physique to cause maximum damage to opponents.

Having played regularly at a higher level, Stockley's experience and guile makes him one of the more effective forwards in the fourth-tier, and the partnership he's struck with former Aldershot Town man Tolaj is a fearsome one that Grimsby will need to be at their very best to deal with. The same can be applied to the tough task that precedes that when Swindon, Smith, and Tshimanga visit the East Coast.