Steve Foster speaks to the Quaker matchday magazine. This article was originally printed in the Darlington v Peterborough United programme on September 29th.

Darlington's 2-0 win at Rotherham signalled the club's best defensive start to a season for over ten years. Quakers' boss Dave Penney has long extolled the virtues of getting things right at the back and providing a solid foundation from which to push forward from. Four clean sheets in the opening five league games ensured a healthy points return and proved the manager's point brilliantly. Whilst Darlington tasted defeat at MK Dons last weekend the start to the season has been one of the best seen in recent years.

Playing a significant role in Darlington's excellent start at the back is skipper Steve Foster. Arriving before the start of the season from Scunthorpe United Foster has turned in one reliable performance after another and has impressed supporters. More than a few however would have been surprised to see the Mansfield born defender turn down the chance of playing in the Football League's top division but he is hungry for more success and feels there is something familiar in the air.

"I get a similar vibe here that I did from Scunthorpe during last season. When I came here great things were said and the facilities are second to none. I had a choice to make but I feel we have a great opportunity here to do what I did last year and getting another promotion. The club wants to go places and with the gaffer making me captain I felt it was a great opportunity for myself to lead the team onto a successful season," said Foster.

"Aside from the MK Dons result it has been a good start not only for the back four but for the whole team. Everyone has worked hard at stopping the opposing teams from scoring. I've played with Tim (Ryan) at Doncaster so we know each other and that has made things a bit easier. Whilst you have to get used to playing with the other centre half and as a defence I think we are both old enough and experienced enough to know what our jobs are and I think it has gelled quite well as a result."

Working along side Alan White in the heart of defence Quakers have let little pass them by as a unit. One thing that some have identified is a possible lack of pace at the back but Foster doesn't see this is any sort of problem given the vast experience of those involved in the defence.

"I think if you get yourself into positions and are able to read the game well any lack of pace doesn't have to be that big a factor," said the defender. "Those are the sorts of things you pick up as you get older and we have that experience in the back four to know what positions we have to be in and as it proved in the opening few games everyone has done a good job."

Whilst Foster has bought obvious talent and experience to the back line he has also bought leadership. The defender, who has racked up over four-hundred competitive starts, is not afraid to make it clear how he wants to see things done. Young goalkeeper David Stockdale highlighted the impact Foster made early on and the defender has also been impressed with his contribution too.

"Since Stockdale has come in he has grown in confidence with each passing game. He has produced some good saves but he has also commanded his box and made some great catches as well. The more he is playing and the more clean sheets he gets the more confidence he will gain."

"Speaking to the other players is just something that I do. With him being a keeper and me being a centre half I think you have to have an understanding. You have to know when he is going to come for the ball and when it is time for you to deal with situations. At the moment things are going well and it feels like we've all been playing together for a while, not just in terms of David but the defence as a whole. We can only get stronger as the season goes on I think," said Foster.

Kevin Luff