Shrewsbury Town players need to relax says Micky Mellon
Shrewsbury Town's beleaguered players are trying too hard, according to boss Micky Mellon, who wants his men to relax more on the field.
The Checkatrade Trophy exit at the hands of Scunthorpe United extended Salop's winless run to six, as Mellon prepares his charges for their League One trip to unbeaten high-flyers Bradford City.
While the Town chief has continued to praise his players' effort and commitment this term, he wants calmness in the vital moments – starting by taking more care in possession and in front of goal.
"I think at times we played some really good stuff but when you lose an early goal, you are then trying to get yourself into the game knowing you have given away another cheap goal," said the boss.
"It's tough, because you try and force it when you need composure.
"Believe it or not you try too hard to try and rectify it when it needs calmness.
"They will always have a right good go. It is just at times we need to be consistently good, more over the 90 minutes."
The boss confirmed that having the right mentality is a key part to preparation and has reiterated to his players that, should they score first in the next game, the atmosphere and belief will begin to surge.
Mellon added: "Football is all about the mental side. There is an awful lot on mentality.
"The great beauty is how quickly the goals come around. If you get the first goal in the next game it can be different.
"That is what you have to tell the players and get them to believe in that. It is what they have to work for.
"You have to do the next thing well and build on it, try and get the next goal and fight for that."
Stoke City loanee and former Barcelona youngster Moha Choulay started just his third game for the club at Glanford Park and his first since late August.
But the Spanish-Moroccan was hauled off at the break after struggling to make an impact in north Lincolnshire.
Mellon added: "Mo is a young player and has an awful lot to learn, anyone who watched the game will see that.
"Sometimes you have to make these decisions to try and protect young players and the team. I am sure he will come again and learn lessons from the game."
