Tom Culshaw says the Mariners are focused on improving their performance in possession as they prepare to face Port Vale in Sky Bet League Two, with the assistant manager backing Town to respond positively this weekend.
Town head to Vale Park looking to bounce back, with Culshaw explaining that training this week has focused on improving in both boxes and finding the right balance between playing over, around and through their opponents.
Culshaw also provided an update on Géza Dávid Turi following his return from international duty, welcomed Harvey Cartwright back to fitness and praised Fin Cartwright’s recent performances after the young midfielder scored against Shrewsbury Town.
The assistant manager also discussed the important work carried out by the Club’s analysts, James and Fin, and looked ahead to the challenge posed by a Port Vale side who remain unbeaten at home in the league.
Here’s everything Culshaw had to say ahead of Saturday’s trip…
On preparations for Port Vale
Culshaw explained that Town have used the week to reflect on recent performances before turning their attention towards Saturday’s fixture, with a particular emphasis on improving in both penalty areas.
“It’s been focusing on us, focusing on both boxes, what we can do better from the game at the weekend.
“It’s been good. The lads have been at it and worked really hard today, so we’re looking forward to going to the game at the weekend.”
On improving in possession
Culshaw highlighted the importance of finding the right balance in Town’s approach, following the previous weekend’s fixture against Shrewsbury Town.
“From the game at the weekend, I think the manager expressed what we needed to improve on, and that was being a bit more in possession rather than going long at times.
“So, it’s just getting a balance of when to go over, when to go around, when to go through teams. We’ve been focusing on that this week.”
On Géza Dávid Turi’s return
Turi returned from international duty having scored a spectacular goal for his country on his birthday, and Culshaw was pleased to have the midfielder back available for selection.
“He’s a great player. I think he’s important for his national team as well, so, as you’ve seen, he’s been involved in all the games.
“He’s scored an unbelievable goal and come back with a few more highlights. He’s had his hair done as well while he’s been away, and he’s in a good place.
“He’s come back a little bit tired from all the travel and what he’s had to do, but he’s fit and ready to be available for the weekend.”
Culshaw joked that the midfielder needs to start scoring more routine goals after his spectacular strikes this season.
“I said that to him today. He needs to start scoring normal goals! The two goals he’s scored this season have both been crackers, so hopefully the next one he scores will be for us.”
On Harvey Cartwright’s return
Harvey Cartwright played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday evening’s Jersey Mike’s Trophy fixture, giving Town another goalkeeper available for selection.
“Yeah, it’s good to have him back. Obviously, he’s been out injured, but he came back and did well midweek.
“So, it’s good to have now two fit goalkeepers ready to be selected for the weekend.”
On Fin Cartwright’s first goal
Town scored another set-piece goal against Shrewsbury, with Fin Cartwright getting on the scoresheet after coming close on several occasions in recent games.
Culshaw was delighted to see the young midfielder rewarded for his performances in training and on matchdays.
“It was pleasing. It was a great ball in from Iwan and a great goal from Fin.
“I think the goal has been coming for Fin. He’s got close a few times in the previous games and he’s been training well, he’s been doing well in training and playing well in games.
“So, I think that goal has been coming for him.”
On Fin Cartwright’s development
Having previously worked in Academy football, Culshaw is well placed to assess the development of younger players and believes Cartwright has plenty of potential to build on.
“He’s a great player, a really great player. He’s only young, so there are a lot of areas of his game he’s got to work at, and he understands that.
“The people at Boro understand that as well, but they’ve been happy with him. We’ve been speaking to them and they’ve been happy with his progress up to now.
“So, it’s important for Fin to continue that.”
On the work of the Club’s analysts
Culshaw praised James Peat and Fin Ross for the work they undertake behind the scenes, helping the coaching staff prepare for upcoming fixtures and review performances immediately after games.
“James and Fin, they work hard, really hard, off the pitch. People don’t see the work they do, really.
“They prep the game preparation for us going into games, and they also get all the stats and everything for the games and for us to come up against the opposition in weeks to come.
“So, they’re always two and three games ahead, and then they’re also ready for us after games for us to watch the game back and pick points out that we need to work on.
“So, they really work hard behind the scenes.”
On the importance of half-time analysis
The analysts also play an important role during matches, offering a different perspective from the technical area before the coaching staff deliver their half-time messages.
Culshaw explained how their observations help the staff make the most of the limited time available with the players.
“They watch the game from high up, so they see it from a different angle to us. They might see things that we don’t see.
“They come down and might agree with what we’ve seen, or they might disagree with what we’ve seen.
“So, it’s a good chance to talk and assess things, and then you’ve only got that short window of speaking to the players.
“It’s about getting the good points out of what they’ve seen and what we’ve seen during the game and giving it to the players.”
On reviewing performances
With Town navigating busy periods of the fixture calendar, Culshaw stressed the importance of having analysis ready quickly to ensure the squad can learn from each performance and prepare for the next challenge.
“It’s a quick turnaround, especially if you have two-game weeks like what we’ve had this week.
“It’s important that those clips are ready for us to come in, show the players straight away, and then that gives us a good start to the week to prepare for those two-game weeks.”
On facing Port Vale
Port Vale have won just once in the league this season but remain unbeaten at home, and Culshaw expects a difficult test at Vale Park.
However, he insists Town will approach the fixture with the same positive mindset and principles they take into every game.
“You approach it the same as any other game. They’re unbeaten at home, so straight away you know it’s going to be a tough game.
“But it’s up to us to stick to our principles, and we go into that game positive because the lads have trained in a good way.
“We go into that game hoping to get three points, which takes us straight up towards the top of the league again.”
On the threat posed by Port Vale
Culshaw believes Vale’s league position does not necessarily reflect their performances so far, highlighting the quality within their squad and the work they have done over the summer.
“They’ve got a good squad. I think they’ve made a good few signings over the summer.
“Obviously, everyone knows they were in League One last year – they’re a big club.
“From the games we’ve watched, when they’ve drawn they could have won, and when they’ve lost they could have drawn.
“So, where they are in the league probably doesn’t come across as their true position.
“But we’ve got to be on top of our game when we go to Port Vale because they’re going to be ready for us.”
On the travelling Mariners
More than 1,000 Town supporters are expected to make the trip to Vale Park, and Culshaw was keen to recognise the backing the team have received throughout the season.
He urged the travelling support to continue getting behind the players as the Mariners look to return to winning ways.
“They’ve just got to keep doing what they’ve been doing.
“Since the start of the season, the support’s been fantastic. It’s important they keep getting behind the lads.
“I know the support at away games is unbelievable as well, so they’ve got to keep supporting the boys.
“The lads are working hard, so with the fans behind us and the lads working hard going into this game, we’ll be really positive.”
You can watch Tom Culshaw’s full pre-match interview here:
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