After taking an early 2-0 lead, Grimsby Town fans were left thoroughly disappointed with their side’s 2-2 draw away at Barrow.
Danny Rose opened his account for the season in the seventh minute, while Kieran Green doubled his side’s lead six minutes later with a delightful chip to beat Wyll Stanway.
Grimsby looked on track for the perfect away performance, creating chance after chance until Rekeem Harper scored from distance, by large courtesy of Christy Pym.
The second half wore on as Grimsby failed to put the game to bed. Their lack of ruthlessness was punished in the 74th minute as another mistake from Christy Pym saw Charlie McCann equalise.
League Two Lowdown host and League Two pundit Jordan Richards was largely critical of his side’s lack of ruthlessness, expressing that he was “bitterly disappointed” with his side’s result.
A Familiar Story For Grimsby Town?
While Grimsby has enjoyed a positive start to the campaign, the Mariners have not been without their faults.
Sat fifth in the table with seven victories, four draws, and four defeats, a lack of ruthlessness up front and occasional naivety in their own half have been causes for criticism.
Notably, draws against Barrow, Accrington Stanley, and Cambridge United highlight these faults. Meanwhile, defeats to Bristol Rovers and Colchester United showed David Artell’s side to be undone by “the dark arts” of football.
Jordan pointed out that their 2-0 lead in the first fifteen minutes implied that “we were going to coast to a pretty good away win”, pointing out two huge factors in his side’s failure to take home the three points: Christy Pym and a lack of ruthlessness.
While Pym has been a hugely positive signing for the Mariners, his form seems to have dipped in recent weeks. Nonetheless, he is a proven winner at the level and could remain vital for the club.
However, fingers will be pointed towards the 30-year-old, having been at fault for both Barrow goals.
Charlie Casper is yet to make his professional league debut at the club and could potentially play amid Pym’s dip in form.
Grimsby Town’s Lack Of Ruthlessness
Grimsby Town lead the way in several positive attacking statistics in the division:
- Goals per match: 1.9 (joint 1st)
- Expected goals: 26.3 (1st)
- Shots on target per match: 5.1 (1st)
- Big chances: 43 (1st)
- Touches in the opposition box: 455 (2nd)
(Source: FotMob)
While boasting the best goalscoring record in the division, it feels unfair to suggest Grimsby are incredibly wasteful.
However, the inability to kill teams off has been a persistent shortcoming for the club, even against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
Having Danny Rose and Jason Daði Svanþórsson back in the squad will be a huge boost to their frontline. Additionally, summer signing Zak Gilsenan is coming back to full fitness, having opened his Mariners account against Everton U21s.
While Grimsby Town have been largely excellent this season, these two major shortcomings pointed out by Jordan need to be addressed.
Currently sitting fifth in the division, this position seems a fair reflection of their strengths and shortcomings.
Set to host promotion rivals Chesterfield at Blundell Park next Saturday, a home victory could go a long way for their promotion hopes.
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