Paul Simpson has revealed adding “leaders” to his misfiring Shrewsbury Town squad will be amongst his top priorities this summer.On the weekend where their Football League safety was confirmed, Town were left to contemplate a fresh disappointment with a 3-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Mansfield.
Simpson was frustrated his side failed to build on the perfect start with a Marc Pugh opener inside 80 seconds, and again suggested changes will be needed during the close-season.
“Most of what I learned about the players on Saturday was disappointing and what I saw over that 90 minutes is probably the reason why we have had to spend the later part of the season scrapping around at the foot of the table,” he said.
“The goal should have been the impetus to take the game on and instead it set us back a little bit.
“We talk all the time about not giving the opposition a lift but we didn’t defend right, particularly in the first half.
“It’s knowing how to deal with a game in certain circumstances. We tried to play out from the back on a bobbly pitch and tried fancy flicks in areas we shouldn’t be doing it.
“We need some leaders who are prepared to do the right things and sometimes the horrible things, the tackling and chasing and making runs off the ball, to come in and help us.
“If we had have scored (to make it 2-2) it would have papered over the cracks, but we would have taken a point.
“We had a couple of decent opportunities and we got caught throwing people forward with a third goal.”
Town’s cause was not helped by injuries to leading scorer Dave Hibbert and skipper Ben Davies.
Hibbert was suffering from the effects of an eye injury when he was substituted five minutes after half-time, while a back spasm in the warm-up ruled Davies out of the starting line-up, with James Constable replacing him in a late change.
Town’s reserves are in action at Leicester City tonight.
* Simpson will be fielding questions from supporters at Oteley Road from 7.30pm tonight. Admission is free.
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14 Comments
leaders yes, but how about 2 or 3 strikers, 4 or 5 midfielders 4 or 5 defenders and 2 new goal keepers to replace the load of old nags paul simpson has inherited. i hope he told his team behind closed doors just what he thought about their performances. they obviously played as though they had already been shown the door!
Paul, All the best next season,you are not the only one who thinks we need some leaders, I’m assuming thats your language for some decent experienced players who will train hard get fit and be able to play football week in and week out knowing that if they perform they will get rewarded
Hold on Bevan is an excellant goal keeper. It sounds like devon S you have never seen him play. Tierney, Herd, Langmead, Madjo, Moss, McIntyre, Hibbert, Constable, Humphrey, Davies and Ryan with a few experienced players such as Lee will turn out to be a very good team that will challenge for promotion next season
Thanks for your optimism Denis and I agree with your list of players to keep. Though persistant rumours link Langmead with Coventry.
If we can attract 3 or 4 solid pro’s through the spine of the team we can challenge next season.
You have just named 12 players, if there were any good, we would be challenging for promotion now!
Agree with Denis comments, Bevan has played great since being in the line up!
and so what if he named 12 players bring some more experienced players in and we might be pushing for promoition!
Devon Salopian spends hours on here whinging. It does sound as though he has never been to see them play.Another arm chair critic !!
With the exception of Ryan all the players mentioned by Denis are under contract for next season so Simpson will have to get the best out of them, or ask the chairman to sign a blank cheque in the summer! With Cooke gone and Murdoch, Ryan and Jones likely to follow that leaves about 4-5 free places in the sqaud.
Personally I think with a few decent experienced signings this team can make the play-off next year. I can see similarilties with the squad that got promoted in 93/94 - the previous year they had been poor under Bond, but when Davies signed Walton, Clarke and Hockaday the side really came together, and players like Spink, Taylor and Brown who been poor the previous season really came good that season
Best of luck to Paul Simpson for next season. After watching that load of rubbish on saturday it would be easier for him to ditch the lot and start afresh next August.
happy days, you are wrong i do go to see the town when i can but i am a little remote from the action down here. i think i have had quite a bit to whinge about this season and am looking forward to a whingeless 2008/9. i may be disapointed, we will see. incidentally i do follow every game on the computer by text, it is not the same but does give me an idea who is and who is not up to scratch. and do please allow me to whinge on about town,s bad luck badge.
oh no! people are talking about play offs and promotion for next season.
Meadow Matt has it right we just need some solid hard workers in there to scrap for us. Then the 2-1 losses can be 2-2 draws and the goal less draws turn into narrow defeats. I am implying we need more fire power but overall i would only add 4 or so newcomers. Simmo will prove to be a motivator and I hope those who have under-achieved this year can kick on next season.
No talk of play offs from me, I just want a better season and to be challenging at the other end !
I understand that Simpson is going to be given money to pay off those players who he wants to get rid of but are still under contract before bringing in his own.
i think we really do need a leader in midfeild
with expereance but not to old