Shropshire Star

Analysis: Shrewsbury show fair share of positives as they find their feet

If they play like that for the rest of the season then Shrewsbury should have no worries of relegation.

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Yes, the wait for John Askey’s first win goes on, but Town’s performance was the best yet and for the first time it felt as though there was really something to build on.

There was frustration that Shrews could not turn their largely dominant performance against the managerless Seasiders into three points.

Boss Askey was not merely relieved and satisfied by getting his first point in League One on the board. He instead spoke of his frustration at not taking all three.

Blackpool were very limited and without the guidance of Gary Bowyer, who walked out after one match this season, you fear for them. They carried very little offensive threat but Shrewsbury still defended well.

The onus was very much on the hosts, who had scored just twice in three games ahead of kick-off, to break the visitors down. To unlock the door.

Town couldn’t quite manage it. It wasn’t for the lack of trying.

Numerous shots flew in from all angles. They were mostly met by a lunging Tangerines defender.

Shrewsbury could’ve been more ruthless in front of goal. They did not take advantage of their good positions created and must be more attentive in the final third.

But it should be remembered that they are not playing with a first-choice centre-forward and the dynamic with Aaron Amadi-Holloway or Lee Angol in attack will be different to that of Lenell John-Lewis.

The forward, starting for Town in the league for the first time more than a year after signing, showed flashes of his ability but would have liked to have held the ball up better and struggled with the tempo after the break.

He should’ve been substituted earlier than the 88th minute.

But Shrewsbury got into some great positions in front of goal and, on another day, could have scored a couple. With the chances coming their way freely, there should not be concerns.

While Askey will be frustrated at his side’s lack of potency in front of goal, Shrewsbury got off the mark in the third division thanks to a first clean sheet of the boss’s era.

Askey is adamant that teams defend from the front but the shutout is a feather in the cap of goalkeeper Joel Coleman and centre-backs Luke Waterfall and Mat Sadler.

The inclusion of Sadler was significant after the skipper missed the two previous games after being dropped. He was back in this time, for Omar Beckles, and regained the armband.

It feels like it could be the beginning of a fruitful partnership in Sadler and Waterfall. The skipper returned and was his usual no-frills self.

Waterfall, meanwhile, had his best game for Town yet. He wont every header and put in some superb challenges.

As Askey confirmed, a clean sheet is a solid foundation for the partnership to build on and – after three centre-back partnerships in three league games – hopefully the start of some consistency for the entire back five.

New left-back Ryan Haynes, often plagued with the tag of struggling to defend, has settled into the position very well.

With familiarity should breed confidence and stability.

While the defence was a huge plus point, the overwhelming positive was Anthony Grant.

Midfield anchorman Grant, pursued by Town all summer, paid the price for little pre-season football with Peterborough by not being fit enough to slot straight into Askey’s side.

Against Blackpool he showed everyone what they’ve been missing. He was a colossal figure in front of the back four, winning challenges and every 50-50 he competed in.

Askey said he is what Town have been missing and it is hard to disagree. Greg Docherty, who was very impressive in the first half, and Josh Laurent really benefitted from extra freedom to roam forward.

Grant brings organisation, leadership and know-how that will be vital to Town’s midfield this season. The debate on everyone’s lips leaving Montgomery Waters Meadow was Askey’s substitutions.

He did not make a change until the 82nd minute as Fejiri Okenabirhie, who fans had chanted ‘get him on’, was finally summoned.

But to the surprise of thousands, it wasn’t the tiring John-Lewis called for, instead it was Shaun Whalley.

The winger had not been at his very best but was still a menace. His popularity with the Salop faithful meant that the decision was not well-received.

Instead it was booed and jeered. The boos were followed by chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’.

Askey answered his critics by suggesting Whalley looked laboured, and had said he felt tired on Friday. He said the changes came late because he felt the system and players were working.

It did feel like the substitutions were made late. With Town on top and Blackpool hanging on, the introduction of Okenabirhie – who so impressed in pre-season – would have given the visiting defenders more to think about than John-Lewis’s approach.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway, on his return from injury, had a two minute cameo and set up Laurent for the clearest chance of the game. Could he have played 15 minutes? Lee Angol, meanwhile, remained unused on the bench.

But none of the above required the chants sent Askey’s way. Sure, fans pay their money and have a right to voice their opinion, but those kind of chants do nothing to help a squad finding its feet.

Two tough away games to follow, but Town have something to build on.