Grimsby Town go in search of their first win in 2025 and an end to their losing run on the road as they make the long trip across the country to face Barrow.

The hosts, who will no doubt be buoyed by a fresh appointment in the dugout, have won just once since October 5, but they did claim victory at Blundell Park in the reverse fixture back in September.

David Artell had mixed emotions about his side’s 1-1 draw with Chesterfield last weekend, feeling his side took a “mental step back” after going ahead in the game, something he will have been keen to address this week.

READ MORE: 'Our standards have slipped from set-pieces': Grimsby Town boss reflects on defeat at Barrow

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The Grimsby boss himself is not a massive believer in the “new manager bounce”, but he does not want his side to get caught up in the occasion or caught out by the tactics of the home team who are under new leadership after the arrival of Andy Whing.

Artell said: “The stats over a longer period of time would suggest a new manager bounce isn’t a thing, but we’re talking about one game here. We went to Carlisle for Mike Williamson’s first home game and handled our business, and we’ll have to do that again.

“I did my coaching badges with Andy [Whing] and Shaun [Pearson] went to watch Solihull a few weeks ago, so inadvertently, we got a glimpse of how his team might play, and we know Barrow’s players.

“We hope there won’t be many surprises, but there might be because there is no history with this manager in charge. We’ll have to be tactically astute in the first five to ten minutes to figure them out, but I want us to do that in every game.

“We can’t get caught up in the new-manager feeling because it’s about us, and they’ve got to worry about that. They’re a good team with good players who are probably better than the table suggests, but if we perform to our levels, then will give anyone a game in this league.”

Artell believes Barrow are better than their 18th-place standing in the League Two table, and the reverse fixture might have informed that opinion. Both Sam Foley and Theo Vassell scored from corners, and Town conceded a goal of the same ilk last Saturday against Chesterfield, so they will have to guard against the hosts’ set-piece threats.

Artell gave the squad some time off this week to rest and recharge after a busy transition into the new year, and he will hope the minds of his players have been sharpened on things like defending set-plays.

Town welcomed Justin Obikwu back into the starting lineup last weekend, with other previously injured players, such as Kieran Green and Charles Verna,m coming off the bench.

Curtis Thompson was in the squad but did not play against Chesterfield, but they are all expected to be available again in what has been a massive depth boost for the team in the last week or two.

Just one point from the last three has put Town in ninth and four points off the play-offs heading into the weekend, but there is very little to separate the top six teams below league leaders Walsall.

The Mariners are still in the fight, but a first away win since December 7 would be vital to keep the pack they are chasing at an arm’s length to start a week of three matches.