Grimsby Town
October 2025
Grimsby revisit their United upset while targeting Brentford. Artell framed Brentford as a sterner test than Manchester United, whom the Mariners eliminated 12–11 on penalties after a 2–2 draw, before dumping crisis-hit Sheffield Wednesday. The message doubled as a jab at United and a reality check: Brentford’s Liverpool scalp and wins over United and Aston Villa signal higher difficulty. Iraola-style intensity from Brentford—set-pieces, direct pressure, and transition threat—demands Grimsby compress lines, survive first and second balls, and protect rest-defence. Artell must balance belief from August’s shock with pragmatism: slower tempo on their ball, disciplined full-back positioning, and counters via early diagonals. Penalties are a fallback, not a plan. Small margins decide fourth-round ties.