Analysis: Not an ideal start for John Askey but much to build on

But Town fans left Montgomery Waters Meadow after watching their side beaten 1-0 by Bradford, with various causes for optimism.

Naturally after a defeat there were notes of warning but, as a whole, John Askey’s new-look Shrewsbury began this new era with enough positive signs to leave supporters encouraged.

A 1-0 defeat, where the visitors notched through Jack Payne just 20 minutes in, gives the impression of a dull encounter.

It was anything but and could have easily ended 3-3. There was value for money aplenty as both sides hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and had efforts scrambled away off the line.

Askey was left ruing his side’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. Perhaps it was bad luck. Perhaps it was a lack of composure.

But on another day Town could have conceivably had easily scored a couple. But then likewise the visitors – who were arguably even more wasteful.

The boss left the Meadow – which made history on Saturday becoming the first all-seater stadia in England and Wales to launch safe standing to supporters – with a clear head of what needed working on.

Askey was desperate to start with a victory. He has spoken all summer about continuing last season’s feelgood factor but it was not to be. It was little surprise he cut a despondent figure in his post-match interviews.

Town fans, on the other hand, left the Meadow disappointed but with more than a tinge of encouragement.

For there were plenty of plus points from this narrow defeat. Of the 11 new summer signings, six started and three came from the bench. The other two were unused subs.

Askey was honest enough to say not all impressed, as Doug Loft was at times beaten on the turn in midfield and Aaron Amadi-Holloway enjoyed little joy in attack – but several did catch the eye on their bows.

Leading the charge were midfield pair Charlie Colkett and Josh Laurent, both of which look set to become firm Meadow favourites this term.

Permanent signing from Wigan Laurent charged around midfield with authority and wanted to get on the ball and move forward. He was guilty of passing up Town’s best moment as he helped on to the crossbar from inside the area with the hosts in the ascendency.

Chelsea loanee Colkett is a different type of midfielder and grew into the game.

The left-footer is creative, links things together and keeps the ball moving. Not in a ‘safe’ sideways manner, but looks for incisive passes. His left foot provides a welcome balance in the central areas.

The pair could have hardly hoped for much better, from the view of a personal performance, on their home debuts and were unlucky to be on the losing side.

Joel Coleman between the sticks looked solid enough. He claimed crosses well and was fine in the shot-stopping department, albeit erratic with some runs out of goal and, at times, iffy kicking.

Centre-half Kieran Kennedy, perhaps a surprise inclusion next to skipper Mat Sadler with Omar Beckles again stuck out at left-back, can be pleased with his first outing. A no-nonsense defender who was a threat in the opposition box from set-pieces.

But a particular word for Shaun Whalley is deserved. The ever-popular wing wizard was unplayable in the first period and by some way Town’s star man.

Alex Gilliead arrived a late sub and showed some similar traits to Whalley. Those pair could prove devastating on either flank this term.

It’s a big week for Shrewsbury ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline. Askey will be frantically ensuring he gets the required replacements for the outbound Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala – whose Ipswich deals seem all-but done.

The pair’s transfer request just days before the kick off were hardly ideal, as preparation went, but as Askey firmly put it; ‘no excuses’.

It says a bit about Town’s options, particularly offensively, that Abo Eisa and Arthur Gnahoua did not even make the matchday 18.

A difficult trip to Charlton follows next Saturday and Shrewsbury do not want to kickstart the 2018/19 campaign under Askey with back-to-back defeats.

The boss is still hopeful of landing a couple of deals and Saturday’s reverse to the Bantams – who have strengthened inmeasurably and at least on paper look one of League One’s strongest outfits – will have confirmed the boss’s will to add more bodies.

Shrewsbury looked every bit like they had the ability in their ranks to cause some damage this season.

As throughout pre-season, they were not as tight at the back as Askey would have hoped. Payne’s winner came from a poor James Bolton error.

But keeper Coleman and his centre-halves did a reasonable job after that. The midfielders and forwards showed a will to get forward and the chances they created meant Town fans saw glimmers of hope despite taking no points home.

Askey was not satisfied in settling for the positives though and had the look of a man determined to put things right at Sundorne as the players return today. He is a training ground boss but has been praised by players for offering them freedom and that was visible in the first match.

It was not the result Town’s new chief wanted but inside he will know their were shoots of positivity.

He, like supporters, is also wary that sections of Town’s display were not up to scratch.

It will be interesting to see what he considers changing at The Valley on Saturday.