Grimsby manager Paul Hurst was over the moon with how his squad adapted to changes made during their 2-0 victory over 10-man Salford.
New signing Abo Eisa was at the double – netting in each half – as Grimsby recorded their first League Two win of the season against their previously unbeaten opponents.
Salford midfielder Ossama Ashley saw red shortly after the restart for two bookable offences and his team-mates were unable to recover.
Hurst said: “I’m happy with the result, but we played better in our last game against Notts County.
“Getting the win was the most important thing, but we started a little bit nervy.
“We made one or two changes and they seemed to work, we got to grips with them and I thought that we looked a threat against them.
“Certain players suit different ways, but a lot of teams change within games.
“During the second half we changed because they changed and that really helped us see out the game.
“I don’t think we can be proud or bullish about ourselves.
“We always have to be respectful about the opposition when we are going different ways but, the changes we make, I would prefer to be smaller ones.”
Chances were few and far between in the opening stages, but Grimsby managed to break the deadlock after 20 minutes when Eisa struck first-time and saw a 25-yarder fly past goalkeeper Alex Cairns via a deflection.
Adrian Mariappa and Curtis Tilt both took aim in reply, but a routine save from Jake Eastwood and last-ditch block from Luke Waterfall thwarted them as Conor McAleny dragged wide the best chance for a Salford equaliser.
Ashley was shown two yellow cards – one either side of the break – and his dismissal left Salford with a mountain to climb.
Grimsby pushed and probed for a second and it came with 25 minutes left to play as winger Eisa cut inside and slotted neatly into the far corner.
Salford manager Neil Wood said: “We are nowhere near the level we were at last season and that’s disappointing.
“We have come a long way away from our identity, which we have created over the last 12 months, and got drawn into playing similarly to them.
“Grimsby are effective, they have got good players that can play that way. Playing too many direct balls doesn’t suit us – that isn’t the way that we play.
“We ended up giving the ball away time after time. I’m disappointed that we’ve come away from what we are and, obviously, getting a red card doesn’t help us.
“We had to gamble a little bit and were always going to be open to the counter at some point, they’re a good team and especially on the transitions.”
Suarez signs new one-year contract extension with Inter Miami
Luis Suarez has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract extension with Inter Miami, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Suarez joined the Herons in December 2023, reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The Uruguayan registered 37 goal involvements (25 goals, 12 assists) in 37 games in all competitions last season, helping Miami to their first Supporters' Shield title.
In the MLS, only D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23) scored more goals than Suarez (21, level with Messi and Denis Bouanga).
The Herons set a MLS regular-season points record of 74 but were defeated by Atlanta United in the first round of the play-offs.
"I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to enjoy being here with this fanbase, which for us is like family," Suarez said.
"We feel very, very connected with them, and hopefully, next year, we can bring them even more joy."
News of Suarez's new deal comes the day after Miami appointed his former Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano as head coach following the resignation of Gerardo Martino.
Yamal named 2024 Golden Boy after Spain and Barcelona success
Lamine Yamal has been named the 2024 Golden Boy winner following a memorable year with Barcelona and Spain.
The 17-year-old scoops the award given to the player voted Europe's best under the age of 21 by journalists across the continent's leading newspapers, including Tuttosport, The Times and L'Equipe.
Yamal played a starring role in Spain's Euro 2024 success, while he has consolidated his position in Barca's attack under Xavi and Hansi Flick - helping the Blaugrana to the LaLiga summit this season.
The winger, who will receive his trophy next month, beat the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Leny Yoro and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to the award.
It is the latest individual award Yamal has landed, having also scooped the Kopa Trophy at last month's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The teenager is the fourth Barca player to win the Golden Boy accolade, after Lionel Messi, Pedri and Gavi.
Postecoglou relishing Roma test against 'unbelievable' Ranieri
Ange Postecoglou is relishing the task of facing the "unbelievable" Claudio Ranieri when Tottenham Hotspur face Roma in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ranieri came out of retirement earlier this month to take charge of the Giallorossi until the end of the season, returning for a third stint at the club.
Across his previous two spells, the 73-year-old managed 96 games in all competitions, registering 53 wins, with a win percentage of 55.21%.
His first game in charge ended in defeat, however, with Roma losing against Napoli, as former striker Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game for Antonio Conte's side.
Thursday's meeting will be the first between Roma and Tottenham, and Postecoglou is looking forward to the tie, as well as taking on Ranieri.
"It's unbelievable. It just goes to show the passion he has for the game, because I'm sure there's more enjoyable, simpler ways to enjoy his life now, but he still has that in him," he said.
"I haven't come across him before, but I'm looking forward to saying hello because it's always nice to actually meet some of these people who have made such a massive impact on football, particularly in my field, management.
"He's always come across as a gentleman. I'm looking forward to meeting him, and it just goes to show that kind of bug for being a manager on the touchline doesn't leave you."
Spurs come into the encounter on the back of an impressive 4-0 victory over Manchester City last Saturday, inflicting Pep Guardiola's fifth defeat in as many matches.
Postecoglou's side have also impressed in Europe, winning their last seven home matches in the Europa League without conceding, while also scoring 19 goals themselves.
Spurs have endured an up and down start to the campaign, with consistency in results failing to transpire, particularly in the Premier League thus far.
While Postecoglou acknowledged there had been some difficult moments this term, he lauded his players for some of the outstanding football they have played this season.
"You'll see the same Spurs you see every game. It's about going out there and trying to play our football and try and be the best we can be," Postecoglou said.
"Sometimes, that doesn't work out and hasn't worked out for us in a couple of games this year. We know that and it's something we need to kind of improve.
"At the same time, it's been more good than bad. If you are looking for likely outcomes, I'd say good but we have had the flat spots that we are working through.
"I don't discount the football we have played either. We've played some outstanding football. For me, it is about progress.
"I keep saying that we're a better side than we were last year and we want to keep improving and if we keep improving, the areas where there are gaps, we will slowly overcome."
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