Joe Foulkes says he has settled quickly into life at Grimsby Town and is relishing the opportunity to return to former club Walsall with the Mariners on Saturday.
The right-back has made a positive impression since joining Town in the summer, adapting to a new environment and a different tactical approach while competing with Harvey Rodgers for a place in the side.
Foulkes has also been reunited with former Kidderminster teammate Ryley Reynolds, who recently joined the Mariners, and the pair will now travel together for Saturday lunchtime’s trip to the Bescot Stadium.
Here’s everything Foulkes had to say ahead of the weekend…
On settling into life at Grimsby
Foulkes has been impressed by the welcome he has received since arriving at Blundell Park.
“Everyone in the group has made me feel really welcome,” he said.
“I think I’ve gelled quite well into not only the way the gaffer wants us to play and the identity of the club, but with the players as well.
“I’ve built some really good relationships over the past few weeks.”
On developing his game
The defender has enjoyed working under David Artell and believes the coaching staff are bringing the best out of him.
“They’ve definitely brought the best out of me in training and the pre-season games,” he said.
“It’s been really tough and I think I’ve tried to thrive off that as much as possible.
“Just take each day as it comes and try to learn as many things as possible, and hopefully that will obviously benefit me.”
On learning from Harvey Rodgers
Foulkes has also welcomed the opportunity to work alongside Harvey Rodgers, who has made an impressive start to the new campaign.
“He’s probably undoubtedly been our best player so far this season,” he said.
“He’s got great athleticism and you can see in games exactly why he was part of the League Two Team of the Season last year.
“He’s putting in some great performances and I’m just trying to learn off him, as well as obviously the identity and the way the gaffer wants us to play.”
On competition for places
With Rodgers currently holding down the right-back position, Foulkes sees the competition within the squad as a positive.
“Competition’s obviously a really healthy thing in a football club,” he said.
“I’m trying to learn off him, learn what he tends to do and how he performs in games and in training.
“Credit to him, the way that he’s started the season. He’s done really well and he’s kind of taken his form from last season into this season.
“The competition’s a good thing in my eyes. I was never ever going to walk into this team after the season that they’ve had and the players that they’ve got at this club.
“So, yeah, I’m definitely just trying to push and try and work hard.”
On adapting to a back four
One of the biggest changes for Foulkes since joining Town has been adapting to a different defensive system.
“The only thing I’d say has been the biggest change for me is changing from a back five to a back four,” he explained.
“I’ve never actually been in a team that’s played in a back four, and that’s definitely been probably the hardest thing for me.
“Having said that, I’m just trying to learn and just trying to take new things on board.”
On reuniting with Ryley Reynolds
Foulkes is also delighted to have been reunited with Reynolds, having spent the previous two seasons together at Kidderminster.
“Me and Ryley get on really well,” he said.
“Over the past two seasons we’ve had a really good friendship and it’s really good that he’s up here now.”
Foulkes believes Mariners supporters will enjoy watching his former teammate in action.
“He’s got a bit of everything,” he said.
“He’s got the work rate of someone like Kieran Green, but he’s also got the technical ability of Jamie Walker.
“So, yeah, he’s got a bit of a mix of everything and I’m sure the fans will love to see him play.”
On their time together at Kidderminster
The pair have already shared plenty of memories from their time at Kidderminster, including the disappointment and eventual success of their respective campaigns.
“We have spoken about our time at Kidderminster quite a fair bit,” Foulkes said.
“Just the little things that you try and take from last season.
“The first season that we were at Kidderminster together was a bit of a painful end, the way it did end, missing out on the last day.
“So, yeah, just talking about that and going over our time there has been really good.”
On returning to Walsall
Saturday will be a particularly special occasion for Foulkes, who spent more than a decade with Walsall before moving on.
“I was at Walsall from the age of around seven or eight until 20,” he said.
“I valued my time there massively.
“I made some great friends there as well as obviously making my debut there, so it should be a special place to go back to.”
Despite the personal significance of the fixture, Foulkes insists his focus is firmly on the Mariners.
“No, obviously it’s strictly business,” he said when asked if he had received messages ahead of the game.
“It’s football malarkey, so just obviously treating it as another game and going into it with a clear mind.”
On the travelling support
Foulkes is also looking forward to experiencing the Mariners’ renowned away following for the first time.
“The away support I’ve been told from numerous people at the Club is really good,” he said.
“They really rally the team together.
“Even in our first two home games this season, you’ve seen how good the fans actually are and how good the fans can be in tough scenarios, when we were playing the likes of Blackpool.”
With more than 1,000 Town supporters expected at Walsall, Foulkes is excited to have them behind the team on Saturday.
On his ambitions for the season
And Foulkes has set his sights high for his first campaign as a Mariner.
“I’m looking forward to the promotion party at the end of the year,” he joked.
“First and foremost!
“The calibre of players here, they’re really good players. The team really gels and you can see that on the pitch and outside and in training.
“So, yeah, I’m looking forward to that and obviously looking forward to hopefully getting some games under my belt for this football club.”
You can watch Joe’s full interview here:
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