Hurst: We are now entering crucial period of the season
MARINERS BOSS HINTS AT TRANSFER ACTIVITY IN JANUARY
PAUL Hurst believes he will have a better gauge of what Grimsby Town are capable of this season after their upcoming run of matches - and hinted he could address the squad in the January transfer window.
The Mariners face Boreham Wood, Dagenham and Redbridge, Chesterfield and Halifax Town before the end of the year, who are all vying for promotion.
Equally, games against Wrexham and Bromley in January will test Town’s automatic promotion credentials.
After a bright start, five defeats in six has caused concern amongst some sections of the fan base after such a fantastic start to the season.
However, Hurst believes that he will know more about the group by January, when he will also be able to strengthen the squad.
“The reality is that there are 10, 12, 13 teams that would have started the season (thinking they can go up),” Hurst told the Grimsby Telegraph.
“I don’t think the table is far off in terms of the top ten, you might get one break into that - but not too many more.
“Despite our record, with the games in hand Halifax and Bromley have, we could slip down the table, which is ridiculous really.
“That’s how the league is, there may be some separation at the real bottom end to the top but it shows the importance of not dropping simple points. That’s a frustration you have with a few results.
“You have to turn up and perform, it’s always the aim but there will be results that we don’t expect for us and others.
“I think if you look until the end of January, our 11 league games, nine are against teams in the top ten. We will find out more about what we can be and the challenge for the rest of the season.
“Are we still in contention for top spot or play-offs, are we falling out of that? This is what we’ll find out. Clearly, with January coming, there is an opportunity to try and strengthen compared to bringing the loan lads in.
“It’s a real tough run of games, no doubt, but we’ve had so-called ‘easier ones’ and not won. With so many teams involved, they can’t all win.
“We have to do all we can to be our best and, hopefully, that’s good enough.”
GRIMSBY Town defender Adam Crookes would be open to extending his stay with the club.
The Mariners left-back penned a one-year deal in the summer after signing from Port Vale on a free transfer.
The 23-year-old has been one of Town’s most consistent performers so far this season, establishing himself as an important member of the back line.
Having spent most of his career in the Football League, Crookes is keen to return to the divisions above but is open to extending his stay at Blundell Park.
“Yeah, in dropping down I have one eye on that,” Crookes told the Grimsby Telegraph.
“Hopefully, we have good aspirations this season and long-term that’s a possibility. We’ve shown signs that we could do that but it’s a long season and we have to take every game as it comes.
“It’s early doors but I’m enjoying my time here.
“I’m from this side of the country, I’m living at home not far away and I think it works well for me.
“If we keep doing well, there’s no reason why we can’t potentially take it further. If I keep playing well and influence the manager’s decisions I could stay here for longer.”
Crookes has been particularly impressed by the tactical training laid on by Paul Hurst and his coaching time since joining in the summer.
“Working with him has been really good,” he said.
“He does a lot of tactical work with us along with Chris Doig to go out there and perform at our best.
“After games, we always look at the things that the analysts have arranged for us and go through why we have or haven’t played so well.
“I feel like I’ve adapted well, the lads are really good and the fans have embraced the whole team.
“That’s always a bonus. For a large part, we have put in good performances - although we’ve had a dip recently.”
I feel like I’ve adapted well, the lads are really good and the fans have embraced the whole
team.
Adam Crookes