Grimsby Town head coach David Artell believes this afternoon’s showdown with AFC Wimbledon is ‘one of the biggest in the club’s recent history’.
The Mariners start the day eighth in League Two, although level on points with seventh-placed Salford City. However, they will be guaranteed a place in the play-offs with a victory, with Wimbledon sat two points above them in sixth.
It marks a stark turnaround from the Lincolnshire-based side, who spent last season battling relegation. A top seven finish looked assured only a few weeks ago, but a run of three draws and a defeat in their last four outings has left them needing three points at Blundell Park this afternoon.
Artell Urges Players To Prove They Deserve Play-Off Spot
It’s not quite a winner-takes-all clash this afternoon. Wimbledon’s goal difference means that a draw will likely be enough for them to earn a play-off place, whilst Grimsby could also sneak in with a point if results go their way. However, victory for the hosts would see them extend their season.
Ahead of the game, Artell urged his players to put it all on the line and prove they deserve to finish in the top seven. Speaking to The Grimsby Telegraph, he said:
“It’s League Two football, so anything can happen. They might do something that surprises us, or we might do something that surprises them.
“At the end of the day, it is 11 vs 11, and once they go out there, it will be whoever plays better on the day that gets what they want. That’s not me trying to downplay it, because it’s a big game, one of the biggest in the club’s recent history.
“It’s one that we’re all looking forward to and one that the lads have deserved to play in, so hopefully, we get over the line. It won’t be for a lack of trying or effort, and we’ve got another 90 minutes to prove that we deserve to be in the play-offs.”
Writer’s View
League Two has arguably been the most entertaining division in the EFL for the neutral this season, and the final day is unlikely to disappoint. There’s still the matter of the third automatic promotion place to be decided whilst we still have no idea which four teams will compete in the play-offs. Grimsby will feel they deserve the opportunity but they need to halt their recent blip in form at just the right time to avoid bitter disappointment. Blundell Park could be one of the most exciting places in the country to be this afternoon.
