Tom Culshaw says Town have plenty of positives to build on from Tuesday evening’s 2-2 draw with Rochdale as the Mariners prepare for Saturday’s trip to Gillingham in Sky Bet League Two.
The Mariners produced an encouraging performance at Spotland, with Kieran Green restoring parity before Jamie Walker fired Town into the lead with a superb strike. However, despite creating further opportunities to extend their advantage, the hosts found a late equaliser to deny Town all three points.
Culshaw praised the players’ response to a change of formation with limited preparation, highlighted Joe Foulkes’ impressive first league start and provided updates on the injury situation ahead of the trip to Priestfield.
The assistant head coach also discussed the challenge posed by Gareth Ainsworth’s Gillingham, the importance of the travelling support and Town Women’s historic Women’s FA Cup first-round tie against Stockport County.
You can watch Tom’s full pre-match interview here:
Here’s everything Culshaw had to say ahead of Saturday’s fixture…
On the performance against Rochdale
Culshaw was pleased with the way Town performed at Spotland but admitted the players were disappointed not to come away with all three points after creating enough opportunities to win the game.
The assistant head coach believes the chances created provide encouraging foundations for the Mariners to build on as they prepare for another away fixture this weekend.
“We were pleased with the performance but come away disappointed with the result, as we created enough chances to win the game. We thought we’d done enough to win the game and deserved to win the game.
“On the performance side, it was positive, but the result was a little bit disappointing because we thought we could have come away with the three points.
“Definitely, there are good foundations to build on. I think when you’re creating chances and big chances in front of goal, that’s really a positive. So, we’re going to take that into the game at the weekend.”
On finding the balance in both boxes
Town scored twice against Rochdale but were unable to protect their advantage, with Culshaw stressing the importance of maintaining their attacking threat while becoming more secure defensively.
The assistant head coach believes continuing to create opportunities and convert them, while limiting opposition chances, will be key to a positive result at Gillingham.
“We were happy with the goals. It’s about winning both boxes. So, as long as we keep creating chances, putting the goals away in the attacking half and being a bit more defensively secure in our half, it should be positive going into the weekend.”
Culshaw was also pleased with the way Town dealt with Rochdale’s aerial threat, particularly from Aden Flint at set pieces.
“He is a threat and he has the size, so he’s always going to be a threat. I thought the lads handled him well, so we were pleased with that.”
On the change of formation
Town switched to a back three for the trip to Rochdale, having worked on the new system during training on Monday.
Culshaw praised the players for adapting to the change with just one game’s preparation, believing their response reflected the work they have put in on the training ground.
“That’s on the boys. We came in on the Monday and changed the formation. The lads took it on board and, when they went into the game, they did really well despite having just one game’s preparation.
“So, praise to the boys for doing that.”
On Joe Foulkes’ first league start
Joe Foulkes was handed his first league start for the Mariners at Spotland as Town continue to contend with a growing list of defensive injuries.
The defender impressed on the left side of the back three, with Culshaw highlighting his versatility, aggression and composure in possession.
“He did really well. Joe’s been training well, and although he hasn’t started before, it was his first start in the league and he did exceptionally well, especially playing on the left side.
“He’s quite versatile. As you can see, he’s aggressive as a defender, but he’s also comfortable on the ball, so it was a really positive performance from Joe.”
On the Emirates FA Cup draw
Town will travel to face Stafford Rangers in the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup, with the draw setting up a reunion between Culshaw and Stafford manager Graham Deakin.
Culshaw revealed the pair have known each other for years and said he was looking forward to the meeting, while emphasising the Club’s ambition to progress in the competition.
“I’m good mates with the manager. He was on the phone to me yesterday, all excited and looking forward to it. They got a great result, so I’m looking forward to coming up against my mate.
“But for us as a club, we want to progress in the FA Cup.”
He added: “I’ve known him for years. I worked with him years ago, but he’s a good lad, and he’s really excited for this game.”
On the latest injury news
Culshaw provided an update on Doug Tharme, who is due to see a specialist again as the Club looks to establish the next steps in his recovery following the injury sustained against Northampton Town.
The assistant head coach also confirmed he had spoken to Edon Pruti following his operation and said the defender was in good spirits as he spends time with his family.
“Yeah, I caught up with Doug today. He’s got to see the specialist again tomorrow, so probably from tomorrow he’ll know what the next steps are. As we know, it looked a bit of a serious injury, so hopefully he gets better quickly.
“I’ve only spoken to Edon on the phone. I spoke to him straight after his operation. He’s in good spirits, he’s in a good place, and he’s just spending time with his family now.
“Hopefully both of them have a quick recovery and get back soon.”
Culshaw added that the other injured players remain with the Club’s fitness and rehabilitation staff as they work towards returning to action.
On preparing for Gillingham
Town face a lengthy journey to Kent on Saturday, with Culshaw expecting a difficult test against a Gillingham side who have made a strong start at Priestfield.
The assistant head coach described the hosts as organised and well drilled, but insisted the Mariners would approach the game with the intention of taking all three points.
“They’re going to be a tough team to play against. They’re a well-organised, well-drilled team, and as you can see, the home record’s quite good.
“They’re going to be defensively secure, so it’s up to us to try and break that down.”
Town enjoyed success against Gillingham last season, winning 4-1 at Priestfield in April, but Culshaw acknowledged that both squads have changed since then.
“Obviously, the results last season were good for us. We’re going there to try and get the same results.
“It’s a new season now, with different squads and different players. I’m not sure how they’ll set up, but all we’ve got to do is be ready ourselves to go there and get the three points.”
On what he wants to see from Town
Culshaw wants the Mariners to carry the positive aspects of Tuesday’s performance into the weekend, maintaining their work rate and pressing as a team while continuing to create opportunities in possession.
“We want the hard work. We want to be pressing as a team, working hard off the ball and being as exciting as we can in possession of the ball and creating a lot of chances, as we did against Rochdale.”
The assistant head coach also explained how the coaching staff manage the short turnaround between fixtures, with recovery and preparation particularly important ahead of a long away journey.
“I’m used to it as a coach. In previous jobs, they were two-game, three-game weeks, so the most important thing is getting the players ready for it.
“It’s important they do the important stuff, recover and get the massages, and recover well. At the training ground, you’re doing your work on the pitch as well as meetings. It’s important to get your meetings in, especially when there’s not as much training time on the pitch.”
On the importance of Saturday’s result
Despite Town’s recent run of results, Culshaw believes Tuesday’s draw provided encouragement and stressed how quickly the league table can change with a positive sequence of results.
The assistant head coach is determined to see the Mariners turn their performances into victories and climb back towards the top end of League Two.
“It was important to get the point. It was more about the performance. The lads have been working so hard on the pitch, but they want these three points. They want to get as many points on the table as they can.
“If we win this game at the weekend, it takes us straight back up to the top end of the league. As you can see, the league is quite tight, so if you get a win or two wins on the bounce, you’re straight back up there, involved in the top end.
“And that’s where we want to be.”
On the travelling supporters
Town will once again be backed by a strong travelling following for one of the longest away trips of the campaign, and Culshaw was keen to recognise the contribution supporters continue to make.
He praised the fans for their backing at home and away, including their support for the players before and after Tuesday’s draw at Rochdale.
“The fans have been brilliant, home and away. The other night at Rochdale, they were there already when we came out for the warm-up, and they were there right at the end to clap the lads off the pitch.
“Their support is unbelievable. So, the fans who can make their way down there, just make the same noise again and get behind the boys.”
On Town Women’s historic FA Cup tie
Culshaw also sent his best wishes to Grimsby Town Women ahead of their historic Women’s FA Cup first-round tie against Stockport County at Blundell Park on Sunday.
The fixture marks the first time a Grimsby Town women’s team has reached the first round proper of the competition, and Culshaw said everyone at the Club would be hoping to see them continue their cup run.
“First of all, well done to them. It’s going to be a great occasion for them.
“Fin, who is one of our analysts, is a member of staff with the women’s team as well, so he’s been keeping us updated on the women’s game results as they’ve been going on throughout the season.
“I wish them all the luck. The Club’s got a good name in cup competitions, so it’s important that they continue that. Good luck to all of them.”
Culshaw also shared his hopes for what could follow if Town Women progress to the next round.
“That’d be great. It’d be good if we could see them win this and then maybe get Liverpool in the next round. It’d be brilliant.”
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