The Bees head to Blundell Park on Tuesday evening after beating Premier League champions Liverpool at the weekend
Grimsby Town head coach David Artell
Grimsby Town head coach David Artell(Image: Jon Corken)
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Grimsby Town aim to defy expectations again in the Carabao Cup as they welcome another Premier League opponent to Blundell Park in the fourth round. Keith Andrews’ Brentford are the visitors on this occasion as the Mariners look to follow up on wins over Shrewsbury Town, Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in the previous rounds.
Town come into the game bruised off a 3-2 defeat away at Crewe Alexandra in the league on Saturday, where head coach David Artell said confidently that his team were far below the high standards they have set for performance this term. Brentford, on the other hand, are starting to find some rhythm under new boss Andrews, who was promoted from set-piece coach to gaffer following long-serving boss Thomas Frank’s departure for Tottenham Hotspur in the off-season.
They struggled to get results early on in the Premier League season, but have now won three of their last four with victories over United, West Ham and, most recently, current champions Liverpool at home. They have been led by the goals of Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, who now has six in the league after scoring four in those last three victories.
They also have a veteran leader in midfield in Champions League and Premier League winner Jordan Henderson, who joined this summer. Whether either will start this one remains to be seen, but having witnessed the threat Town can pose in their cup run, the Bees are unlikely to stray too far from their strongest available line-up.
Now an established top-flight club, Brentford have garnered respect from many for how they operate and have continued to find ways to compete at the highest level despite their smaller stature compared to those around them. Town certainly will not see this as any easier a test than the United game, and nor should they.
Charles Vernam scores for Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second-round match against Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27
Charles Vernam scores for Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second-round match against Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27
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On Brentford, Artell said: “They are a fantastic football club that should be revered by every team beneath them for how they’ve gone about their business and what they do. The culture that has been instilled there has made them the club that they are today, which is a fantastic one and one that is established in the Premier League. I know some people there, and they’re good people.
“It’s no coincidence that having good people at the club has created a good culture, and they’re coming to Blundell Park now. Nobody gave us a chance against Manchester United, and this is another Premier League team that will give us a ridiculously tough game.
“I hope the fans view this tie on the same level as the Manchester United one because I want everyone to turn up again with the same level of emotion and belief in our club. If we do that, then we might have a chance of creating another special night for everyone.”
A few may have played themselves out of a start in the big cup game following Saturday’s defeat at Crewe. It will be interesting to see who Artell chooses with his squad selection no longer a simple task, given the options he now has at his disposal.
Jaze Kabia scores for Grimsby Town during the Carabao Cup third-round match at Sheffield Wednesday
Jaze Kabia scores for Grimsby Town during the Carabao Cup third-round match at Sheffield Wednesday
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Charles Vernam will be hoping to be one of the Grimsby heroes again on the night, having played a starring role in their biggest upset so far and in the season overall.
“It’s another really great opportunity to showcase ourselves against Premier League opposition,” added Vernam on Tuesday's opponents.
“I’m sure there were some that wanted a tie that maybe looks a bit more glamorous on paper, but ultimately, they’re an established Premier League team with excellent players. It will be a massive test for us again, but it’s cup football and we said that before Man United, so you just never know what can happen, so we’ll go into that game hoping for the best.”
Sam Lavelle and Jude Soonsup-Bell had minor issues which kept them out of Saturday’s game, but it remains to be seen whether they will be involved in this one.
Aside from the known long-term issues, it seems the squad report is the same for Artell, but he has some decisions to make, all the same as to what he feels is the best approach to get at Brentford, as they did with the last Premier League team that came to Blundell Park.