Analysis: Stacks of Shrewsbury Town optimism despite recent defeats
Three defeats from four league games does not read well, but Shrewsbury have plenty to be confident about.
Boss Paul Hurst remained upbeat after his side’s narrow and unfortunate 1-0 defeat against Bradford, meaning back-to-back league reversals for the first time since early April.
Town’s impressive unbeaten home league record, stretching back to that same period, was also ended.
But Hurst was more positive in the post-match press conference than he has been after certain victories.
And that is because his side, following a dismal display in Greater Manchester last Tuesday, put in a much improved performance, matching – and arguably outplaying, particularly in the first-half – a Bradford side who lost in the play-off final last season and are expected, at least, to make the same stage this time around. It was not Hurst deflecting attention from his ranks amid another defeat. He is not afraid to criticise his players when he feels it is deserved.
But on Saturday, Toto Nsiala’s dreadful luck meant a low cross rebounded up and over Dean Henderson and into the net.
Until that point, 10 minutes into the second period, Shrewsbury were by far the better side.
That is credit to Hurst, who rallied his troops following a dejected display and raised their game for the visit of one of League One’s big boys.
With the momentous high of a 10 men win at Rotherham still in mind, the manner of defeats should not worry. Shrewsbury can only really be accused of not performing at Bury. Performances in defeat at Peterborough and – especially against Bradford – have been commendable. While the blip in Town’s form has cost them top spot, overtaken by Wigan, Town have largely competed well and all three defeats have come by the odd goal, meaning they have been in games.
It was in the final third that let Town down during an entertaining first-half on Saturday, where the hosts carved out all of the opportunities.
The Bantams travelled to Shropshire without their No.1 goalkeeper Colin Doyle, but Town did not make his replacement Rouven Sattelmaier work nearly hard enough while on top.
It was not for the lack of trying or forcing openings. Final touches were letting down the home side, on occasions Stefan Payne’s usual deadly control deserted him.
Town also shot off-target on half-a-dozen occasions as they pestered the visiting white shirts with a high-energy display.
The second-half started in familiar fashion, before City broke away to create the opening via the luckless Nsiala. Hurst noted his side was guilty of was dropping down a few gears after conceding the deciding goal. It was not until the game’s final quarter that they began to rally again – where they found Sattelmaier on good shot-stopping form.
Hurst rotated his options, bringing James Bolton, Bryn Morris and Alex Rodman back in – the former duo impressing despite not enjoying many minutes in recent weeks.
New blood coming into the side and impressing will come as a relief to Hurst, who can be satisfied with at least some of his options in reserve.
Town impressed for large parts against a strong Bradford team with the best away record in League One. On another day, they could have been at least two goals to the good.
It was a positive display, an impressive response, the manner in defeat should be encouraging – don’t let the context of three defeats concern you.
