PROMOTED Dover Athletic will provide another stiff challenge for Grimsby Town – according to Paul Hurst.
The Whites have lost both of their opening matches at this level after winning the Conference South play-offs last time around.
But, despite their 1-0 home defeat to Halifax and 3-0 loss at Braintree, the Mariners boss, below, believes Athletic will be tough to break down at Blundell Park this afternoon.
He said: "They've lined up 3-5-2, but changed to 3-4-3 the other day, and are a big physical team with threats from set-plays again.
"They've earned the right to be here through winning in the play-offs season.
"But they haven't had the start they would like, and we know that they'll be up for this game and trying to get their first points of the season.
"A big part of winning promotion for them is coming to grounds like ours and playing against clubs like Grimsby Town.
"But we're all on an equal playing field, in the same league, and as we saw on Tuesday getting that ball in the net and getting over the finishing line in terms of winning games is not easy.
"So I expect another tough game and we have to be on our guard and up for the challenge again – as I thought we were against Nuneaton.
"It's just the final little bit of quality or luck needed to secure the points.
"They've got a long journey up and we'll aim to take advantage of that by being positive in our play."
