Dave Edwards: Shrewsbury get reality check after Tranmere defeat

It's been such a positive and productive pre-season. There were positives to take from the opening game of the season against Bromley and it was something to build on.

I've said time and again that this league's not going to be easy and we really need to just build some strong foundations, some stability, and then we can maybe build from there. But we've got to consolidate first and I think this was a reality check to why that's so important.

If you don't turn up 100 per cent with the game plan that's been put out and if that isn't executed to the best ability and the lads aren't quite on it, then you'll get found out. 

The quality might not be as good in League Two, but you will get lads that are fully at it week in, week out. They have the work ethic and desire that helps them win football matches.

Unfortunately, Shrewsbury were bullied in the first 45 minutes against Tranmere. We were second best all over the pitch.

You do have those games where you are half a yard late or the ball's not quite bouncing your way, that does happen and you can feel a little bit helpless out there. Adding mistakes on top of that and it becomes a real problem, which was highlighted by the goals we conceded.

All of a sudden you're 2-0 down after 30 minutes and you're on the back foot against a boisterous crowd.

Michael Appleton could have made more changes at half-time, but you've also got to keep some back for later in the game and the three changes he made did make a difference.

But the sending off of Will Boyle really hurt the team. At that point, you've got to make a decision. Are we going to keep it tight and try and maybe take it deep into the game and try and nick a goal? Do we go for it and try and make them nervous, or do we just completely shut up shop?

Appleton was very brave and he went for it, in the hope of getting a goal and making the stadium a little bit nervous.

We had moments but unfortunately Tranmere got the next goal with a good finish and the game was gone from there.

There will be a lot of soul-searching at Shrewsbury. It's horrible as a football player after a game like that, it's all you'll think about when you go to bed, when you wake up and when you're training.

It's really important that you pick up the mood very quickly and you've got to remember that we're only two games into the season.

Sometimes a game like this can be a good thing because you need a reaction and you need that reality check. It needs to be used as fuel for the next few weeks.

They have a chance to bounce back quickly at Grimsby in the Carabao Cup tonight, followed by a game against Colchester that is already huge.

They've had two draws to start the season, one against Tranmere on the opening day, so it won't be an easy game.

I imagine some players will get a chance to play against Grimsby and they can put their name in the hat for the Colchester game. I don't think anyone's guaranteed a place at this moment in time.

It's good the team has games to react quickly to, and they do need a reaction. Things need to turn around quite quickly.

There's been lots of good things and you can't let one day affect the rest of your season, so it's important they try and turn it into some fuel to go and get some positive results, but it will be a tough one to take.

There was no Elyh Harrison at the weekend and I think he's going to be so important to the way Town play this season. I hope he gets back fit and available as soon as possible.

The one thing I do think they are really lacking is a little bit of excitement at the top end of the pitch, whether it's in midfield or the forward positions. 

Look at what Omari Patrick did for Tranmere against us. Fans love players who can get them off their seats and get them excited. I really feel Shrewsbury need a player like that, a little bit of a maverick who can do something a little bit different.

There's no doubt we've got a team who's experienced, they're hard-working and although they had that tough result, nine times out of 10 they'll be able to stay in games.

But sometimes you need that X factor to go and win a game of football, which we don't have at the moment and we need to address in the transfer window.