Grimsby Town must improve in one area to win promotion - David Artell is well aware | OneFootball

Despite having a good season on the whole, Grimsby narrowly missed out on a play-off spot. Their defensive frailties played a huge part in that.

Grimsby Town's 2024/25 League Two season came to a conclusion last weekend with a 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in a winner-takes-all play-off clash, with David Artell's side just missing out in what has been a hugely progressive season for the Blundell Park club.

Having fought off relegation last time out, the Mariners were in the mix at the right end of the table for much of the campaign, with their ninth-placed finish being their best in nearly two decades.

Artell will be looking to build on the many positives that led to that improvement, which saw his side compete well with the league's top sides throughout, but the head coach will have noted the key areas that must be addressed over the summer if his side is to kick-on and reach new heights in 2025/26.

While Grimsby won 20 league matches during the campaign as a whole, they also lost 18, conceding 67 goals in the process, with only five teams (including the bottom four in the final standings) conceding more.

While the Mariners have had some eye-catching victories, particularly on the road, and have looked good in possession and a genuine threat to opponents, clean sheets have been a rarity, with the concession of cheap goals a repeated issue that has frustrated the Grimsby support.

While it's not the only area requiring refinement over the coming months, Artell and his coaching staff will surely be seeking to add a little more physicality, leadership, and athleticism to their defensive ranks ahead of the new season.

Artell is disappointed, but proud, and aware of areas that require improvement

Artell's post-match comments to BBC Radio Humberside mirrored the feelings of many supporters, one of disappointment but pride in their side's efforts and considerable development into a genuine force in the fourth-tier.

The former Crewe boss is also acutely aware that to continue that upward momentum, his side cannot afford to concede so many goals, and must vastly improve their form at Blundell Park.

While his Mariners side have been one of League Two's best on their travels, their home performances and points haul has been less impressive, with only four teams, including relegated duo Carlisle United and Morecambe, faring worse.

The defensive frailties don't solely fall at the feet of the defenders. The team as a unit must become more resolute and hard to beat, with a stronger deterrent at set-pieces, an absolute must that requires attention over the close season.

In the above interview, Artell alluded to possibly putting a little more focus on this once back for pre-season, and that will be music to the ears of supporters who'll be hoping for an even more successful campaign next time out.

Plenty of options available as Artell looks to tighten his Grimsby side up

As sides across the EFL and beyond announce their released and retained lists, attention has begun to turn to whom the Mariners could target to aid their defensive deficiencies.

While there's always a plethora of variables at play when it comes to players deciding their next move, and there's often a world of difference between hope and reality, there are already a few names that have caught the eye as being a potentially good fit to improve the Mariners' ranks.

League One Mansfield Town have announced that Aden Flint will be moving on, with the vastly experienced former Bristol City, Middlesbrough, and Cardiff City man providing the sort of aerial dominance and leadership skills Grimsby are crying out for, without compromising on the comfort in possession required by an Artell side.

Fellow Stags man Alfie Kilgour is another option, with the warrior-like central defender also departing Field Mill. Both men were part of the promoted Mansfield side of 2023/24, with Nigel Clough's side showing the sort of blend between technique and physicality that the Mariners boss is almost certainly looking for.

Barrow's former Salford City man Theo Vassell is another who finds himself looking for a new club, and the athletic, composed 28-year-old is also one who may be of interest to the Grimsby boss.

At this time of year, there's always talk and speculation throughout the game in terms of who is going where and how teams can improve. Whether any of the aforementioned players are actually of interest to Artell and Grimsby remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however, the Mariners must become more defensively solid if they are to continue moving forward.