Shrewsbury Town analysis: Alarming defending is a concern and must be improved

And John Askey must ensure that does not become a trend, else Town may struggle to find the wins that the boss needs.

It feels like a long time since Salop put together back-to-back clean sheets in August.

Since then they have had just one shutout in seven – and that resulted in their one win this season, 2-0 against Southend just over a fortnight ago.

Town should have won this game. They will be kicking themselves at snatching a draw from the jaws of a win.

They made hard work of it against a very limited technical side but, to their credit, had got themselves in the position where they were ahead on 88 minutes.

But even that wasn’t enough as Askey’s men still managed to shoot themselves in the foot by somehow allowing the significant figure of Tom Eaves – well known in these parts after two loan spells – to wander into the box and finish into the far corner with 90 minutes up.

In the end it was shoddy defending for both Gills goals that cost Town.

Askey did not hold back from blasting his players’ desire to defend and willingness to win in his post-match interview.

Rightly so. He was dealing with a rollercoaster of emotions and admitted to being angry after watching his team squander what would’ve been only a second league win in 10.

Town had to respond at half-time after a very poor first half display against the Kent visitors. And credit is due because they turned it around after the break.

The boss felt his side were doing ‘just enough’ in the first half but that was being kind. The approach play was often disjointed and uninspiring.

The hosts were seeing most of the ball but doing nothing with it for the large part.

More worryingly, on one of only a couple of occasions that Steve Lovell’s men ventured forward, sloppy defending gifted them a goal.

A short corner was sent in, Ollie Norburn swung and missed a simple clearance, and the ball somehow squirmed through Josh Emmanuel’s legs amid pinball in the box.

Then goalkeeper Joel Coleman could not deal with Max Ehmer’s shot and spilled it straight into the path of a crowded six yard box where Brandon Hanlan got a messy but telling touch. It trickled over the line beyond Mat Sadler’s desperate attempt to hack away.

It was Sunday League stuff from Town. They had multiple chances to clear.

There was a dull atmosphere at Montgomery Waters Meadow but Town heeded Askey’s words at the break and came out firing.

They began the second period as they should have the first and pressured the Gillingham goal until Lee Angol’s super equaliser on the spin and half-volley, his fourth goal in six starts.

Gills responded at 1-1 and it could have gone either way but the three points should have been Shrewsbury’s as Norburn tapped in his first for the club after a lightning break with barely 120 seconds of normal time remaining.

But Askey’s men reacted horribly to taking the lead late on.

They showed absolutely zero game management and, in the bat of an eyelid, Gills were attacking their 18 yard box.

Even then Eaves, who scored eight times for Town, should never have been allowed through.

There was more comical defending as Sadler, sub Alex Gilliead, Omar Beckles, Greg Docherty and Norburn all had a go at clearing but the ball was worked to Eaves who finished with aplomb.

Blue and amber bodies laid sprawled on the turf in the Town penalty area with hands on head in disbelief they had thrown it away, but Salop only have themselves to blame here.

Askey was left seething and feeling the pressure from supporters after the second half display had not yielded the comeback it deserved.

The 88th minute goal feels like another false dawn. Another moment you felt his reign may kick off, another setback.

Town have a worrying habit of putting in a poor 45 minutes. It has often been the second half of games this season, but this time around it was the first period.

The boss started with Aaron Amadi-Holloway for the first time since August 11. The striker took the lone centre-forward position with Angol forced out wide left in place of Gilliead, who was benched.

It looked a little all over the place in the first half. Angol looked unsure of his role with very limited options in front of Beckles whenever he tried to break from left-back.

But Angol grew into the game in the second half and looked more assured. He is a good finisher and took his goal very well.

Amadi-Holloway caught the eye. He is a real presence and will win headers all day if the service is right. It is up to Town to work off his knock-downs.

On another day his first half bullet header would have flew either side of keeper Tomas Holy.

He blew up after 70 minutes but can be pleased with his contribution. It would not surprise to see Askey go with the same XI at Walsall tomorrow. The boss said he was keen to get both Angol and Amadi-Holloway into his side, while keeping the control he likes in a 4-3-3.

But tactics go out the window when incapable of defending simple situations.

Neither of Gillingham’s goals should have got anywhere near the the back of Town’s net and the habit of shipping poor goals needs to be nipped in the bud.

Askey takes his Town side for a clash at Walsall under the lights tomorrow night. The Saddlers are enjoying a decent season and will punish such basic defending. An improvement is needed.