Experienced defender Graham Coughlan today admitted Shrewsbury Town face a massive test of character but insisted: ‘There’s no need to panic.’

Town were beaten 3-1 by Brentford at the Prostar Stadium on Saturday, with Coughlan labelling Town’s defensive performance as “shambolic.”

But he insists Shrewsbury can bounce back, beginning with tomorrow night’s visit of Accrington Stanley.

“There will be no panic,” said Coughlan, after his team dropped down to ninth in the table. “It has happened to us before. That’s the nature of the beast and it’s a rollercoaster.

“You never get too high and we won’t get too low. You have to keep that even keel. It was a bad day at the office but that’s all it was.

“We are still in there, and still fighting with as good a chance as anybody. We have to bounce back and Tuesday will be a major test of character.”

Coughlan was disappointed to see Town’s run of four clean sheets in five games ended by a hat-trick from Brentford’s on-loan striker Jordan Rhodes inside 27 first half minutes.

“We gave them a three goal start and there was no way back for us after that,” added the former Rotherham man. 

“I didn’t have a particularly good afternoon. Myself and Kelvin (Langmead) will stand up and be counted and take it on the chin. 

“We will hold our hands up as a pair. It’s not just one of us, we will do it as the pair. 

“We have taken a lot of plaudits over the season and mostly over the last six or eight games.

“But as defenders, we can’t ask the team to come back from 3-0 down.  

“I think the finger has to be pointed at us as a back four and I’ll hold my hand up as part of a shambolic display. 

“But it will only happen once this season, I can guarantee. It won’t happen again. 

“I’m big enough, brave enough and ugly enough to bounce back and I will make sure the rest of them bounce back with me.”

Meanwhile, today’s transfer deadline looked set to pass quietly at the Prostar Stadium with few signs of imminent activity.

Weekend reports linking winger Chris Humphrey with a shock £50,000 move to Aston Villa – with an immediate loan back to Shrewsbury – appear premature.

By JAMES GARRISON