Paul Hurst: Grimsby Town face test of character in FA Trophy replay
PAUL Hurst has warned that Grimsby Town face a test of character in their FA Trophy replay on Wednesday night.
The joint boss said that he and co-manager Rob Scott did everything they could to prepare their squad correctly for the First Round tie.
But he added that the players 'let them down' as the Mariners toiled on a frustrating afternoon at Blundell Park.
As a result, the players were ordered to report for an extra training session at Cheapside yesterday morning as they prepare for "a different kind of game" in the replay at the Bucks' Silverlands ground this week.
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Speaking to the Telegraph, Hurst said: "We went to watch Buxton and did our homework on them so, as managers, we held up our side of the bargain.
"But on Saturday, I think the players let us down, and it's not often we've had to say that.
"I don't like differentiating between us and them.
"It's something that I always hated as a player, but after Saturday, the players have got to take responsibility for that.
"The players were in yesterday to train. I said to them before kick-off that if they played well and performed they'd have been off Monday. But not after what they showed on Saturday.
"They came in and did some work.
"It's the first time that we've had to do that since Braintree away last season but that's part and parcel of it."
Hurst insists that his squad should have more than enough quality to progress to the Second Round of the competition – at the second attempt.
However, he has warned his players to expect a raucous atmosphere and some testing conditions in Derbyshire.
"Saturday just wasn't good enough by any stretch,I think we had too many who just went through the motions," he added.
"I felt sorry for the fans because there was a good crowd in on Saturday and we didn't perform.
"Buxton were unlucky not to win it because they hit the post and had a couple of chances at the end.
"We certainly didn't underestimate them as a management team.
"But the players didn't perform and now we're in for a really difficult, tough replay that we could do without.
"It's going to be a big ask but we brought it on ourselves so we can't have any complaints.
"It will be a different game at their place on Wednesday.
"At this time of year, with all the rain we've had it will be a heavy pitch and it's a sloping surface as well so we've got to be ready.
"It will be a hostile atmosphere and we've got to turn up.
"We'll have to discuss Wednesday and give the team some thought.
"But, without being disrespectful to Buxton, whatever team we put out should be good enough to progress."
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