Grimsby boss claims Brentford are 'much more difficult' than Man Utd after historic scalp
Grimsby enjoyed a legendary night when they beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup but their head coach believes downing Brentford will be a tougher assignment
Grimsby boss David Artell believes overcoming Brentford will be a tougher task than their Manchester United giant killing in the Carabao Cup - insisting the Bees' principles are far more deep rooted than at the Red Devils.
The League Two outfit enjoyed one of the greatest nights in their history when they stunned the Premier League giants back in August. They led 2-0 at Blundell Park before being pegged back, but completed the job following a lengthy penalty shootout.
Grimsby remain the lowest ranked side still in the tournament, beating Sheffield Wednesday in the third round, and are now just one game from the quarter-finals. Brentford stand between them and that stage but the west Londoners are fresh off beating Liverpool at the weekend.
Last month they also got the better of Ruben Amorim's side and Artell insists they will pose the toughest test yet. Keith Andrews was hired internally to replace Thomas Frank when he left for Tottenham and the Grimsby boss believes their continued identity makes them a tougher outfit.
He said: “I don’t want loads of letters from Manchester United fans from Kenya or Norway - or Stretford - but I think they’re still in that process of finding their way again.Brentford are fully in, fully understanding. That makes it so much more difficult. I think everyone agrees that Man United are still - maybe not in transition per se - but finding their way under a new manager that needs to be given time.
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“You don’t beat West Ham so comprehensively, you don’t beat the reigning [Premier League] champions [Liverpool] if you haven’t got those principles of play already ingrained. Whether it’s set pieces, whether it’s transitions, whether it’s in possession, whether they come and get you out of possession, all that is already really well implemented into the squad. I’m not sure that was the case with Man United.”
Grimsby have outlined their plan to go after Brentford with their head coach maintaining they will not sit in hoping to force the lottery of penalties. "We’re not playing for penalties. We didn’t do that against United. We went and got them and they didn’t expect it," he said.
Andrews has hinted at changes to the Brentford team as the games come thick and fast but wouldn't be taking the fourth tier outfit likely as he claimed they are "very respectful around them and the qualities they have".
Grimsby sit sixth in League Two but have lost three of their last four in all competitions having been beaten by Crewe at the weekend.
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