Hull City won 2-1 against their Humberside rivals, The Mariners will however be pleased with their performance across the 120 minutes.
Despite the 2-1 loss to The Tigers, Grimsby Town showed quality through their pressing style and formation among the many new signings from what has been an ambitious summer at Blundell Park. But, what did we learn from this match?
Toby Mullarkey’s Position?
Sought after in January, Hurst finally secured Toby Mullarkey’s signature this summer, signing on a two year deal from Rochdale following their relegation to the National League.
The versatile defender has impressed over the year, previously being linked with Portsmouth from his time at Altrincham. He is well renowned for his ability and comfort on the ball but the position that Mullarkey will play has been a topic of debate amongst Mariners fans given the signing of Harvey Rodgers who played 41 games in the division above last season, alongside the presence of captain, Luke Waterfall and the impressive Niall Maher.
Mullarkey, a centre half by trade, has played right back and midfield to a great standard for his former clubs and was deployed at right back by Paul Hurst yesterday. Toby showed why he deserves a place in the side yesterday, dominating the right hand side with the help of Harry Clifton in the first 60, while showing a willingness to get forward with a great amount of comfort on the ball which almost looked unnatural for a player of his stature.
Versatility is common in a Paul Hurst side, I can see Mullarkey in Paul Hurst’s side switching between a back three and four in transition, with Mullarkey adopting a hybrid right sided centre back and full back role encouraging the impressive Anthony Glennon to show his quality going forward.
Pressing Style
Typical of Paul Hurst’s teams over the years, his sides are renowned for an energetic counter-pressing style. This style will be common to Grimsby Town fans with players such as John McAtee, Harry Clifton and Kieran Green embodying this style with their relentless work rates.
The Mariners struggled to settle on a specific style last season, due to injuries in forward and midfield areas. Ryan Taylor and John McAtee missing large periods of the campaign; however, Town looked to resemble the manager’s ethos much more yesterday. The manager is spoilt with energetic midfield options in Harry Clifton, Evan Khouri, Kamil Conteh and Kieran Green and the team in Black and White did not allow the Championship side to play out from the back with the midfielders. The two forward players in Danny Rose and Donovan Wilson also did an apt job at wearing out the opposition backline in this pressing style.
Town were eventually rewarded for their pressing as Donovan Wilson pounced on a back pass to then round the City keeper to score the first goal at Blundell Park this summer.
Formation
Alongside style, Town struggled to hold a specific formation last season with the manager forced to revert to a back five at times due to the lack of natural wide players through injuries, while also dealing with constant rotation due to the added fixtures through their record-breaking FA Cup run.
Therefore, with new options in all areas, formation has been a hot topic amongst fans.
Hurst’s eleven for the first 60 minutes seemed to line up as a 4-2-3-1, with Eisa adopting a hybrid number ten role behind Danny Rose. Glennon, Maher, Rodgers and Mullarkey formed the Mariners backline while Evan Khouri and Kamil Conteh partnered for a youthful pivot meanwhile Harry Clifton and the returning Charles Vernam occupied the flanks.
Personally, I think that the eleven Hurst fielded for the first 60 minutes will not be too far from the line up on the opening day against AFC Wimbledon. With a complete turnover in forward options at Blundell Park this summer, Town fans can expect Hurst to find a more consistent formation in a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 with Danny Rose, Rekeil Pyke, Donovan Wilson, Charles Vernam and Abo Eisa joining their forward ranks.
A Keeper Conundrum
Another struggle the Mariners had to deal with on their return to the EFL was the lack of competition between the posts.
With Max Crocombe the only goalkeeper at the club last term, the Lincolnshire club had no option to turn to when the New Zealand international went off form, particularly struggling in the second half of the season. Leaving the club at the end of his contract, Town soon announced the double signing of Jake Eastwood on a two year deal and England U20 goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright on loan from yesterday’s opposition.
Both keepers played 60 minutes yesterday and showed why they should be Paul Hurst’s number one choice next season. Cartwright pulling off a spectacular save against his parent club to keep the second game level as the match wore on, while Eastwood showed composure and comfort on his debut at Blundell Park.
With the jury still out for both keepers, both have certainly showed why they’re worthy of first team football on the East Coast. This healthy competition will only strengthen Town as they have finally have the options in net that they lacked last time out. Pre season will be a crucial period for the two as they look to secure first team football.
Kamil Conteh… more to come
One of the most high profile and exciting signings the club made this window was Sierra Leone international Kamil Conteh who penned a three year deal at the club, signing from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.
Aged 20, Conteh earned plaudits while on loan in the National League at Gateshead last season, being named the fan’s young player of the season. This led to interest from many League Two clubs before making his destination Blundell Park. Conteh is known for his passing range, energy and ability to provide a link between the defence and midfield in both a six and eight role in the middle.
Conteh started to show glimpses of what fans were promised yesterday. Being an integral part of the press, Conteh was a nuisance for the Championship side across all areas of the pitch, alongside showing his quality in possession.
As the game wore on, the midfielder looked very tired which is to be expected considering the youngster featured in Gateshead’s FA Trophy final before going on international duty only last month.
However, the 20 year old showed real quality with signs of much more to come. Pre season will be integral for the youngster as he looks to up a gear going into the opening day.
