The former Crewe boss was handed the Mariners reins in late November, a month after his old Rotherham teammate Paul Hurst had been given the elbow with the side 21st in League Two.
Heading into the weekend, Grims by were still in the same position so it hasn’t been plain sailing for Artell. There have been painful defeats against the likes of Walsall (6-1) and Doncaster (51) at Blundell Park, but there are now signs that things are starting to come together.
A 1-1 draw at Morecambe was followed by a vital 1-0 home victory in last weekend’s relegation six-pointer against Forest Green. The solid goalless draw at AFC Wim bledon, cock-a-hoop after beating MK Dons, in midweek was another step in the right direction. Heading into yesterday’s crunch clash at basement side Sutton, Grims by were seven points above the dotted line with one game in hand on second-bottom Forest Green and two on the U’s.
After watching his side reward more than 450 travelling fans by picking up a point at Plough Lane on Tuesday, Artell told The FLP he was relishing his stint in the dugout at Grimsby, which began a year-and-a-half after he exited Crewe.
“I was ready to come back in and I think I’ve picked a fantastic football club,” said Artell, who led Crewe to promotion from League Two in the Covidhit 2019-20 season. “We’ve got fantastic owners (Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit) and, I have to say, fantastic fans - they were outstanding tonight.
“It’s a Tuesday night in London and they’ve filled half the away end. It’s an unbelievable effort - not many clubs in League Two would do that.”
Denne historien er fra March 10, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra March 10, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SCHUEY TIPPED FOR PILGRIMS RETURN
STEVEN Schumacher is the odds-on favourite to take over at Plymouth Argyle following the departure of Wayne Rooney.
MAT'S SUPER SADDLERS GO MARCHING ON
DELIGHTED Walsall boss Mat Sadler praised his troops for an 'incredible victory' after the runaway leaders came from behind to stun Notts County.
CAM'S GOAL LEAVES MIKE FEELING BLUE
CARLISLE manager Mike Williamson said he could understand the frustration of the traveling fans after his side were booed off following a narrow defeat to Tranmere at Prenton Park.
MOORE WANTS SOME MORE
DARREN Moore hopes the win at promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers will prove to be a turning point for his Port Vale side.
SHRIMPS BID TO STIR THINGS UP
DEREK Adams wants his Morecambe side to build on a 'really big result' against Tranmere on New Year's Day when they visit Newport this afternoon.
'Don't blame this all on Freddie'
PAUL Heckingbottom leaped to the defence of Freddie Woodman after the Preston goalkeeper's mistake so nearly resulted in defeat against Oxford.
FORSON DOUBLE STUNS SKY BLUES
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup told goal hero Amankwah Forson to enjoy the moment after the substitute scored twice in injury-time to earn his side a scarcely believable win over Coventry City.
MCNALLY FIRES IN AS ROBINS FLY HIGH
LIAM Manning predicted a quiet transfer window in terms of signings after seeing his improving Bristol City side move up to eighth in the table - just three points off the playoff zone.
Danny downcast at wasteful Owls
FRUSTRATED Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl admitted he was \"more disappointed than happy\" after watching his side waste a succession of first-half chances before scraping a draw against Millwall.
ALLEN NO ORDINARY JOE, SAYS WILLIAMS
SWANSEA boss Luke Williams paid tribute to supersub Joe Allen after his injury-time goal claimed a point against West Bromwich Albion.
