Tom Culshaw says Town must take the positives from Tuesday night’s draw at Accrington Stanley as the Mariners prepare to return to action against Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
Town created a number of opportunities during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at the Wham Stadium, racing into a two-goal lead before Accrington fought back to claim a point.
Culshaw, who joined David Artell’s coaching staff earlier this summer, believes the number of chances created provides encouragement, but says Town must be more clinical in front of goal and more secure defensively.
The Assistant Manager also discussed his first impressions of Grimsby Town, his coaching background and the influence of working alongside Steven Gerrard, while providing updates on Christy Pym and Justin Amaluzor.
Here’s everything Tom had to say ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cheltenham…
On settling into Grimsby Town
Culshaw says the last few weeks have been something of a whirlwind, but is now looking forward to focusing fully on his new role.
“All good. Been a little bit of a whirlwind the last few weeks, but now the transfer window is all done and dusted. It’s time to focus on the squad we have here and get ready for the game at the weekend.”
On what attracted him to the Mariners
Having watched Town from afar and attended several matches last season, Culshaw says the support, ambition and style of play at the Club were major factors in his decision to join.
“I’ve been watching from afar. I’ve been to a few of the matches last season when you played away.
“First thing is the fans, how passionate the fans are. The style of the club, the ambition of the club, and also the manager, who’s been a friend of mine for a while.
“I’ve been friends with him, met him on courses. I like the style of play, like the club style of play, and I was really interested in coming and joining the staff.”
On his coaching experience
Culshaw arrives at Blundell Park having worked with some of the biggest clubs in the game, including Liverpool, Aston Villa, Rangers and Al-Ettifaq.
He believes those experiences across different leagues and competitions have helped shape him as a coach.
“I think the different leagues, even starting from Liverpool’s academy, the different leagues and different competitions, I think you learn as a coach.
“Coming up against different formations, different managers, I think that’s developed me as a coach on the tactical side and on the coaching side.
“I’ve worked with some fantastic coaches. I’ve learned from everyone, and I think the experience which I’ve had brings a lot to Grimsby, to the players here and on the coaching staff.”
On working with Steven Gerrard
Culshaw has worked alongside Steven Gerrard at several clubs and says their relationship goes back much further than their coaching careers.
“Steven’s been my friend since we were kids. So, I’ve been close to him before he was a player.
“Then I’ve watched his career as a player and then I was lucky enough to work with him on the coaching side.
“So, it’s been great. He’s taken me to some great clubs. We’ve had some unbelievable experiences.
“But what I’ve learned is how passionate he is and how much he is a winner, to get his team playing. So, I take that now into my coaching and my coaching philosophy.”
On his role within the coaching staff
Culshaw will have a particular focus on set pieces, individual work and Town’s out-of-possession approach.
“I focus on the set pieces, individual work. I also do a lot of the out-of-possession work.
“The last few weeks have been coming in and the manager’s helped me get to know the style of play, both in and out of possession.
“Now it’s time for me to get involved in the training sessions and put my stamp on the sessions as well.”
On linking up with Ray Shearwood again
Culshaw has previously worked with First Team Coach Ray Shearwood and says it was good to have a familiar face when arriving at his new surroundings.
“It’s always good to recognise a face when you go into the new training ground.
“So, it was good to see Ray. But it’s also been good to meet all the rest of the staff over here. They’ve all been fantastic helping me.”
On Tuesday’s draw at Accrington
Culshaw says there was disappointment within the squad following the result, but believes the chances Town created offer plenty of encouragement.
“We had the meeting today. We came away from the game disappointed.
“I think the amount of chances we had, especially in the first half, I think we might have been able to have the game won in the first half, but it wasn’t to be.
“But a positive outcome from it was the amount of chances we created. So now you’ve got to take that into the next game and put the chances away and be a bit more secure defensively.”
On Mark Shelton and Fin Cartwright
Both Shelton and Cartwright trained with their new teammates for the first time on Thursday, with Culshaw pleased with the early impressions made by the pair.
“The two are excellent players, both at different stages of their career.
“They’re both training today and they looked really good in training today.
“Mark’s more of an experienced player, knows the league. And Fin’s a promising player coming in on his first loan, but both of them will help the squad.”
On the latest injury news
Culshaw confirmed Christy Pym remains under assessment following the clash which forced him off at half-time against Accrington.
“It was a nasty clash. I think everyone saw it. He did have to come off, but at the moment he’s getting assessed by the medical staff.
“So, hopefully he’s not out for that much longer, really.”
There was also no definitive update on Justin, who missed Tuesday’s game after undergoing a scan earlier in the week.
“Again, he’s with the medical staff. So, I’m waiting to find out from them, but they’re in charge of that at the moment.”
On what to expect from Cheltenham
Culshaw expects a difficult test at Whaddon Road, with the Robins having made a strong start to the campaign.
“I think they’re going to be a tough side. They’re going to be a confident side. As you see, the results with the lads are really good.
“They’re a possession-based team. They play the right way and I think we’ve got to be ready for them. We’ve got to be on our game.”
On what Town need to improve
For Culshaw, the message is simple: if Town continue creating opportunities, they must make them count while tightening things up at the other end.
“I think I’ve just explained that, haven’t I?
“If you’re creating a lot of chances, then you’ve got to put them away and be a bit more secure at the back.”
On the support from the Mariners faithful
Culshaw has already experienced the travelling support and says the passion surrounding the Club reminds him of some of the biggest footballing cities he has worked in.
“Going back to last season, I went to the game at Shrewsbury and at Salford and I was impressed with the fans.
“Then I’ve come to watch a few games here as well and just seeing the fans with the shirts on all around the town, walking around the town.
“It’s a proper passionate town for football and I like it.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be in Liverpool, being in Glasgow, two passionate places for football, and this is very similar.
“The fans are needed at home and away and the support they gave us midweek at home was fantastic.”
You can watch Tom’s full pre-match interview here:
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