Shrewsbury fans told to lay off Kyle Vassell
Manager Micky Mellon has urged Shrewsbury's keyboard warriors criticising Kyle Vassell to get behind the team.
The on-loan Peterborough striker has been targeted by frustrated fans on social media after his penalty miss in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat against Sheffield United.
It was the 13th game Vassell has played for Town – and he hasn't scored a goal, but boss Mellon wants the critics to ponder whether they are helping Town's cause.
He asked: "If they're Shrewsbury fans, ask yourself, are you adding to what we're trying to do?
"Or are you taking more out and damaging our chances of getting to where we all want to get to, driving at the right end of League One, playing fantastic football?"
"I understand they're disappointed. But if they're real fans, add to what we're trying to do by being vocal on the terraces and roar us on because we're trying as hard as we can.
"Maybe they could empathise a bit more before they blast themselves all over it and remember there's someone on the receiving end of it.
"It's just unfortunate Kyle missed a penalty and it (criticism) is the first thing people do. They'll blame myself or whoever, but I often wonder how they'd deal with it."
There was criticism that someone else didn't take the spot kick, but Mellon is happy for the taker to be who wants it.
He continued: "It will be the same again - whoever fancies taking a penalty, can take it.
"We don't have a designated penalty taker because we've missed a few this season but that tells you even more that it's about someone taking the ball and saying 'I'm your man and I'll take it'."
Mellon has launched a passionate defence of the 23-year-old frontman, saying: "He brings different qualities to the group.
"I understand people will look at it and say 'he's a striker so he should score goals'. I look at it as the team has to score goals – and stop them. In certain ways the team plays we need a certain type of player.
"For example, for Sullay Kaikai to get higher up the pitch and score goals, you have to have someone who can get hold of the ball. Kyle does that very well."
Mellon dismisses much of the criticism he hears of on social media as 'white noise,' but accepts it.
He said: "Social media is part of management now and players read it – I don't. But if fans on social media knew what he brought to the group as a person and what he does for the team, they'd think differently."
"The people who do it do so because they can. You have to accept it. And an awful lot of it is white noise from pure disappointment, and you have to understand and accept that, and I do."
