Mariners manager will be helped by familiar faces
PAUL Hurst felt like he’d ‘never been away’ as he got back down to work at Grimsby Town – with the obvious exception of some changes off the field.
The returning Mariners manager was back at Cheapside on Thursday as he met his new squad for the first time since being confirmed for his second spell in charge.
For the time being, he’ll be leaning on a couple of familiar faces in Dave Moore and Ben Davies, who he has confirmed will be staying on in his backroom staff as first team coach.
And given the Mariners’ precarious position in League Two, Hurst knows he’ll have to call on their experience as he gets his feet back under the table at Blundell Park.
“I’ve always stayed in touch with Dave (Moore) anyway and talked about how he’s getting on and how Grimsby were getting on,” Hurst told GrimsbyLive.
“I don’t really need to say anything about Dave, everybody knows he’s extremely well respected and a great guy.
“I signed Ben (Davies), liked him as a person as well as a footballer. We weren’t together loads, but came up against him last season. It feels in a lot of ways like I haven’t been away that point of view.
“There’s Greg (Howard) as well, who came and did some voluntary work towards the end of my time here, so we know him. He’s certainly grown in his role.
“I will be leaning on them. I said it the other day, I’m unfortunately not going to have as long as I would like in terms of assessing the squad and giving people as much of an opportunity as I would prefer to. “Ultimately, I’ve got to do what’s right for this club. We haven’t got the luxury of thinking we’ll let it go for six or seven games and see where we’re at.
“I’ve got to try and make those decisions as best as I can, hopefully improve us, and make us competitive.”
There is of course one big difference to his last stint as manager of Town, with the club in the process of changing hands after John Fenty agreed terms for the sale of his shares to Tom Shutes, Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit, who were involved in bringing Hurst back to Blundell Park.
“I spoke to a couple of the guys, and I have to say they seem really good, genuine people. “My understanding is that dialogue’s going well, but I’m keen to stress that I’ve had positive talks with John (Fenty) and Philip (Day) as well.
“We’ll see how things go. I genuinely want to concentrate on the football, and with their support try and put together a stronger squad for the rest of the season.”
Ultimately, I’ve got to do what’s right for this club. We haven’t got the luxury of thinking we’ll let it go for six or seven games and see where we’re at.
Paul Hurst