Grimsby Town: David Artell may feel sense of disbelief at approaching dilemma | OneFootball

Grimsby boss David Artell won't believe his luck at the depth of his midfield options when everyone returns to fitness in the coming weeks and months.

Grimsby Town's inconsistent 2024/25 League Two campaign carried on with defeat over the weekend, MK Dons coming away 3-1 winners at Blundell Park.

David Artell's side have now lost their last three home games, conceding ten goals in the process.

In contrast, however, the Mariners have won four consecutive games on their travels, with their defence being breached on just three occasions in that time.

It leaves Grimsby sitting just inside the top half of the fourth tier, having won seven and lost seven of their opening 14 league matches to date.

Despite the frustrating inconsistencies, it's clear the Mariners are an improved unit on the whole in comparison to last season. While defensive fragilities continue to creep in at times, Artell's side look far better on the ball, and carry more of a threat from a variety of areas.

The large squad overhaul that took place over the summer has led to the bedding in of many new recruits, alongside the further implementation of Artell's preferred passing style.

These factors, along with an ongoing injury crisis have shaped some of the Mariners' results and performances so far, both positively and negatively.

In the main, though, the squad assembled looks a capable one, and once more key players return to the fold, Artell will have a welcome plethora of options available to him, particularly in the middle of the park.

Khouri and Green have excelled under Artell

Some players work better under certain coaching setups than others, and it's fair to say Kieran Green is a player that stands out as having improved immensely since David Artell took over from Paul Hurst nearly a year ago.

Green has always been a committed, honest presence in the Mariners' engine room, but has added another dimension to his game of late.

While the former Halifax Town man is currently nursing an injury picked up at Gillingham, a match in which he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win at the start of October, he's more often than not been the driving force in Artell's midfield. His strength when running forward with the ball has led to many of his side's more potent offensive movements, causing chaos in opposing territory, leading to goals, assists and penalties being awarded.

What Green lacks in technique, he makes up for in drive and desire, and all associated with the club will be looking forward to his return.

Evan Khouri has always been highly thought of at Blundell Park, but the youngster has previously lacked consistency, both in performances and fitness, and in terms of being given first-team opportunities.

Perhaps benefitting from Grimsby's early season injury woes, Khouri has started every game in both league and cup so far this season, and has flourished in both the holding role and going box-to-box.

Now 21-years-old, Khouri is not just standing out for his playing abilities, both in and out of possession, but also his leadership qualities, with the youngster taking over the captaincy on occasion in the absence of regular skipper Danny Rose recently.

The left-footed midfielder has previous boss Hurst to thank for his patience, and current manager Artell to thank for both helping mould him into a good all-round League Two player, and giving him regular game time to showcase that.

The youngster has repaid that faith no end, and now looks a vital part of a constantly evolving Grimsby side.

Artell will be spoilt for choice when injured players return.

The Mariners are not just awaiting the return of Kieran Green, but that of Curtis Thompson, Jordan Davies and Jayden Luker, too.

Thompson, a crucial part of Grimsby's improvement in the latter part of last season, has been out since picking up an injury in a pre-season friendly at York City, though his return may not be far away.

Luton Town loanee Luker is yet to really get going in a Mariners shirt after injuries set him back following his deadline day move.

The youngster, who was on-loan at National League side Woking last season, came off the bench in Saturday's defeat and has shown some flashes of real quality in his fleeting appearances in a black and white shirt so far.

Fellow loan signing Jordan Davies may be out for a little longer, as he recovers from a muscle strain picked up at Notts County in August. A huge frustration for the player and all concerned, as the Wrexham man had looked a cut above in his first couple of games for the club, including a dramatic stoppage time free-kick winner against Cheltenham Town in the Mariners' first home league match of the campaign.

With Green, Khouri, and George McEachran, who has looked an excellent addition following his release from League Two rivals Swindon Town in the summer, all standout performers already, and Callum Ainley proving a useful impact substitute from the bench, the return of the aforementioned trio will only add to what is a very strong area of the Grimsby squad nowadays.

It's a far cry from previous campaigns, where the Mariners lack of depth and quality in the engine room has often been bemoaned by supporters.

When all are fit and available, the Grimsby boss will have a tough job deciding who to leave out. It's a nice problem to have, though. One, perhaps Artell didn't expect at this early stage. However, the former Gibraltar international will hope having more players to call upon will ease the burden and heavy workload on his squad, and, in doing so, see his side find that consistency they're craving.