Grimsby Town bosses back frustrated Andy Cook to come good

ANDY Cook needs to "stop beating himself up" and draw inspiration from fellow Grimsby Town striker Liam Hearn.

The 21-year-old has endured a tricky start to life with the Mariners following his summer arrival from Barrow.

And after drawing another blank at Kidderminster, the wait for the forward's first Town goal continues.

However, joint bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst are keeping faith with Cook and insist the centre-forward can break his duck very soon.

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"Cooky has got to believe that he's going to start scoring," Scott said.

"He got 17 goals last year at this level and we know there are goals in him – he's just got to get his first one.

"We said this about Liam Hearn last year. He didn't score for the first ten games and went on to get 29 goals.

"Cooky's working hard but he keeps beating himself up.

"We've told him 'stop beating yourself up and just keep playing – the chance will drop for you and you will score, but you've got to keep believing and keep getting in those positions'.

"With centre-forwards, you've got to be in there to miss them.

"If you're not even getting into those positions you're never going to score – it's very rare that it drops 30 yards out and you stick one in the top corner.

"You've got to be in the area and the six-yard box and keep getting in those areas and not be too fussed if you do miss.

"That chance will come for Cooky, we know it will, and he'll bury it."

Saturday's stalemate at Aggborough was the Mariners' third scoreless draw of the season and – while they are pleased with that defensive solidity – the bosses want to see more from their side going forward.

Scott continued: "We look solid at the back and always feel like we're not going to concede goals.

"Barring 60 minutes at Barrow, we've been very solid.

"That's why it's frustrating that we're not creating enough chances or the centre-forwards are not doing quite enough for us.

"There are lots of aspects of the game that I'd like to see better from the front four and front-two.

"I want to see us more dynamic going forward and more positive in wide areas, with bodies getting into the box believing they're going to score goals.

"We've said to the centre-forwards 'you take the plaudits when you do well and score the goals, so there are going to be times when we ask more from you'.

"I don't think their link-up play was good enough throughout the game at Kidderminster.

"It was in the first-half at times – there was some great play from us then which went into Elds (Anthony Elding) and Cooky and out the other side.

"But then I want to see good crosses into the box and bodies flying in there to get on the end of things.

"That's something we need to work on – we've realised that and will strive to improve."