Although the depth and availability of the Mariners’ roster have improved recently, David Artell still has space for a few more players as he attempts to create a strong, competitive League Two team.
Top-tier teams will be evaluating their rosters and deciding which young players to send out on loan to further assist their development with regular first-team action further down the pyramid when the Premier League gets began this week.
As previously noted in the article (see above), Artell may be looking to bolster his squad even further in two areas: a strong, adaptable striker and a holding midfielder who may be able to play centre-back if necessary.
In the event that the Grimsby manager decides to consider Premier League loanee alternatives, 19-year-old Mark O’Mahony of Brighton & Hove Albion and Nathan Carlyon, a defensive midfielder for Newcastle United, may file an appeal if their respective clubs make them available for a short-term swap.
With league and cup games coming up quickly in the first part of the 2024–25 EFL season, loan agreements would be a more economical way to fill the remaining holes in Artell’s squad at this point, even though experienced players might be more desirable.
Strong forward O’Mahony has represented his country at several age categories, beginning at Under-16, and is currently a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.
The Carrigaline-born forward is currently a member of Brighton’s academy, but he has already made three appearances for the first squad. He started his first Premier League game in April, a 3-0 loss against AFC Bournemouth, after making two cameos from the bench in the top division.
The attacker had already experienced senior football in his own country before coming to England; he played 13 games for Cork City before Albion paid to bring him to East Sussex.
After making his way onto the outskirts of the first team and scoring 14 goals in 25 games for Brighton’s Under-21 team since his arrival, O’Mahony might now gain from consistent playing time at a competitive level.
It could be worthwhile for Artell to enquire about a comparable contract for the Irishman, given that fellow Albion youngster Luca Barrington recently joined the Mariners on loan for the season.
The forward is physically strong, but he differs from Grimsby’s contracted attackers Donovan Wilson and Danny Rose in that he has the movement and determination to work the angles and stretch opponents.
Even though Artell generally favours a possession-based approach, Grimsby’s loss to Fleetwood Town on opening day demonstrated the necessity of having a backup strategy when this one isn’t working. Rose and/or Wilson can work the 18-yard box, where they are most effective, if they can drop the ball behind opponents and turn defences with the agility and willingness of a young runner.
In addition, bringing in O’Mahony or a comparable replacement would allow Cameron Gardner, a talented young player for the Mariners, to go out on loan and get first-team experience to further his own development. Without a doubt, the Grimsby manager and his coaching team will take all of these considerations into consideration.
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