Pressing problems and bench options - five key points
GRIMSBY Town fell to their second defeat of the National League season on Tuesday night as they lost 1-0 to Wealdstone.
Here, Grimsby Live runs you through the major talking points from the game.
Set-piece struggles
It was a rare off-night for Town’s two centre-backs, in particular, Ryley Towler.
Luke Waterfall also struggled to impose his physicality in the opening half, giving away needless, cheap free-kicks whilst grappling with Wealdstone’s forwards.
The hosts looked like they would score with every corner and set-piece that were thrown into the Mariners’ box, which is not something you can say often.
Whether it was the intensity of their start, the quality of the delivery or a sluggish opening from Town, they struggled with crosses.
It was little surprise that the solitary goal came from Town being unable to clear the ball further than the edge of their area before it was fired into the net.
Pressing problems
Hurst dismissed any mental or physical fatigue as the route of Town’s problems but there was a major drop-off in their pressing levels.
Against Altrincham, for example, Ryan Taylor and John McAtee were relentless in harrying the defenders and it allowed Town to impose themselves.
Without Taylor, Lenell John-Lewis struggled to harass three centre-backs, with McAtee dropping too deep and leaving him isolated.
Ultimately, Town lost the midfield battle in the opening 45 minutes. Ben Fox and Giles Coke couldn’t sustain any possession, which led to McAtee dropping deep and left John-Lewis up front on his own.
That allowed Wealdstone easy possession in defence, which they then moved into midfield and overran Fox and Coke with an extra man.
This was a systematic problem but also the result of a hectic schedule. It wasn’t a lack of effort from the players but there was a distinct difference in pressing intensity.
Options from the bench
Town made just one change up until the 87th minute and even that was enforced as McAtee was replaced by Max Wright.
It wasn’t until Alex Hunt’s late introduction that Hurst went to his bench to change the game.
Now, of course, Harry Clifton and Ryan Taylor were both missing but the nagging question over whether the Mariners need another forward remains.
This performance, and McAtee’s injury, is the latest sign that the answer might be yes, even with Joel Grant and Sean Scannell returning to full fitness.
McAtee injury
Town are now sweating on the fitness of their top-scorer for Saturday’s game.
Hurst was reluctant to rule McAtee out of the Blundell Park clash but if it is another knock to his already tender knee, it’s difficult for me to see how he could be deemed 100 per cent fit to play.
Perhaps needs-must, with Taylor out. However, it’s a fine balance. McAtee was ruled out of the Bromsgrove Sporting fixture with the same knock and Town do not want to lose him for an extended period.
Hopefully, it will just be an impact injury and he will be fit. We’ll find out more in the coming days.
Erico Sousa pressure
For all his nice touches and quick feet, it feels like the pressure is building on Erico Sousa.
Hurst spoke honestly about his attacking players not offering enough of a clinical edge against Bromsgrove and he seemed to single out his wide men against after defeat at Wealdstone.
Whilst Will Bapaga does drift in and out of the game, as most young wingers do, he is adding goals and assists to his performance. The same can’t be said for Sousa.
He’s a good player, with bags of trickery and ability. There is no doubt, though, that his end product can let him down.
There was a moment in the second half, in particular, that Hurst referred to in his post-match assessment. Wright’s cross from the right was begging to be turned home but Sousa fluffed his line when it seemed he must at least work the goalkeeper.
That turned out to be a crucial moment in the match. Hurst has now twice referenced the same frustration and it will be interesting to see if he does it a third time before there’s a change in his selections.