Tom Culshaw praised the opportunity given to Grimsby Town’s young academy players after the Mariners exited the Jersey Mike’s EFL Trophy following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest U21 at Blundell Park on Tuesday evening.
Town fielded a youthful side for their final Northern Group F fixture, with 12 academy players involved and five making their first-team debuts in the starting XI. The line-up came just 48 hours after the Mariners’ Emirates FA Cup victory over Stafford Rangers, which went to extra time and penalties.
Forest took control of the contest in the first half, scoring three times through Harvey Andrews, Jamie Newton and Matthew Orr to establish a commanding advantage at the break.
However, Town produced a much-improved performance after the interval, showing greater energy and creating several opportunities to get themselves back into the game. Alex Graham, Fortune Jack and Curtis Manyika were among those who came close, with Culshaw believing the Mariners could have scored two or three goals in the second half.
The Assistant Manager was pleased with the response after the break and highlighted the value of the competition in providing opportunities for younger players to experience first-team football. Culshaw also praised the performances of several individuals, including last night’s captain Ryley Reynolds, who later gave the armband to Henry Brown for a special moment at Blundell Park.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture away at Swindon Town, with the Mariners looking to return to winning ways and maintain their position towards the top end of the table.
You can watch Tom Culshaw’s post-match interview here:
Here’s everything the Assistant Manager had to say after Tuesday night’s fixture…
On the result and overall performance
Culshaw felt the game was one of two halves, admitting Town had not started the contest as they would have liked before producing a much-improved display after the interval.
The Assistant Manager was disappointed with the manner in which the Mariners conceded, particularly from set-pieces, but was encouraged by the energy and attacking threat shown by his young side in the second half.
“I thought it was a game of two halves. In the first half, we didn’t play how we wanted to play, and Forest started the game really well.
“Thought we were too deep. We allowed them too much possession in our half and gave goals away from set-pieces, which we were disappointed about.
“But then the second-half performance was much better. The lads came out, showed more energy and we created a lot of chances. I thought we should have scored at least two, maybe three goals tonight.”
On the chances created in the second half
The Mariners enjoyed greater attacking success after the break, with Alex Graham, Fortune Jack and Curtis Manyika all coming close to finding the net.
Culshaw felt an early goal could have completely changed the complexion of the contest, particularly given the number of opportunities Town created as the second half progressed.
The Academy Manager reminded his players of the importance of taking their chances when facing quality opposition.
“Yeah, it could have been. We just spoke to the lads about it then.
“In games like this, where it’s tight and you’re playing against a good opposition, you’ve got to put your chances away.
“So, if we would have got an early goal in that second half, the game would have looked a lot different.”
On the opportunity given to the Academy players
With the fixture taking place just two days after Town’s extra-time and penalty shootout victory at Stafford Rangers, Culshaw explained that the short turnaround had influenced the selection.
The Club had attempted to rearrange the fixture for the following week but was unable to find a suitable date due to Forest’s own commitments.
Despite the disappointment of the result, the Assistant Manager was pleased that the competition had provided another opportunity for the Club’s younger players to experience senior football, with 10 first-team debuts handed out across the evening.
“It’s the impact from that game, and this game’s come two days later. We tried to move it to next week, but Forest have got games as well, so we weren’t able to fit it in.
“We had to fit it in today because it was so close, and because the game went into extra time the other day, we weren’t able to put a team out, a strong team that we wanted to.
“It’s a great opportunity for them. I think the whole competition has given us the opportunity to let some of the youngsters play and let us as coaching staff learn a lot about them, and also let the fans see some of these players play.
“It was a good opportunity tonight. It was great to have 600 fans turn up for the game to support the team, and I think some of the young lads who did play tonight would give the fans something to talk about when they went home.”
On the young players who impressed
Culshaw was particularly pleased with the contributions of those introduced from the bench, highlighting Fortune Jack, Noah Hutton and Max Horsman for their performances.
The Assistant Manager also praised the attitude of the more experienced members of the young side, including Charlie Elliott, Alex Graham, Henry Brown, Kristian Catchpole and Ryley Reynolds.
“I actually liked the subs. I thought Fortune, when he came on, did well. Noah came on and did well. Max, who’s got school tomorrow and is still in school, came on and impressed. He did really well.
“Then you’ve got the pros who approached the game well. Charlie, Alex, Brownie and Kristian, they all did well, as did Ryley.
“I thought Ryley was captain tonight and showed a great attitude.”
On Ryley Reynolds wearing the captain’s armband
Reynolds was handed the captaincy for the evening and produced an impressive performance, demonstrating his leadership qualities both on and off the pitch.
Culshaw was delighted with the midfielder’s contribution, highlighting the work he put in throughout the contest and the way he helped motivate his younger team-mates.
“He did everything we asked him to do. He worked so hard off the ball. In possession, he tried to make his play, but he was talking to the lads on the pitch, talking to lads in the changing room and getting them motivated.
“So, he did the captain’s role tonight for us really well.”
On Henry Brown taking the armband
Another special moment came when Reynolds was substituted and the captaincy was passed to Brown, who has progressed through the Club’s Academy.
Culshaw was pleased to see the midfielder given the opportunity to lead the side at Blundell Park, believing it was a moment he thoroughly deserved.
“Yeah, he’s been here since he’s very young, Browny. So, for him to do it again at home at Blundell Park, I think it’s really good for him and he deserves it.”
On Seb Auton’s performance
Goalkeeper Seb Auton was another young player given the opportunity to impress, producing several important saves despite being beaten three times in the first half.
Culshaw felt the goalkeeper could not be held responsible for any of the goals conceded and was pleased with his overall contribution.
“Yeah, I don’t think Seb could have done anything for the goals. Again, disappointing to concede them from set-pieces, so we couldn’t do nothing with the goals, but I thought he’d done well as well.”
On the focus turning to Swindon Town
With the cup fixtures now behind them, the Mariners will return their attention to Sky Bet League Two when they travel to Swindon Town on Saturday.
Culshaw stressed the importance of collecting maximum points as Town look to maintain their position towards the top end of the division.
“Yeah, definitely, definitely. So, now we had the cup game at the weekend, this cup game tonight. Now the focus is on the weekend.
“We want to go to Swindon, we want to get maximum points and we want to stay at the top end of the league.”
On the opportunities created by international absences
Geza David Turi and Maldini Kacurri will both be away on international duty, creating opportunities for other members of the squad to step into the side.
Culshaw acknowledged the importance of the pair to the Mariners but challenged those who come into the team to make the most of their opportunity and hold on to their place.
“Yeah, it’s definitely opportunities for the rest of the squad.
“Two losses, two big players for us, two starters from the weekend. But it’s important for the lads now who come in and take their places to come and perform and keep the shirt.”
On Grimsby Town’s Emirates FA Cup second-round draw
The Mariners were handed a home tie against Oldham Athletic in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup, with the game set to take place at Blundell Park.
Culshaw was pleased with the draw, particularly the opportunity to play in front of the home supporters, but reiterated that the immediate priority remains Saturday’s league fixture.
“If you get somebody from your own league, you want at least a home tie, and we’ve got that, which is good.
“You know, Oldham will be a good team, but it’s important for us at the moment to focus on the league, and then when the cup game comes around, we’ll be focused on that.”
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