Comment: Consistency and fight are needed to turn around John Askey's Shrewsbury doubters

Few can grumble sitting in 17th given John Askey’s tenure to date, where wins have been at a premium.

Naturally, at this still early stage, things are ever-changing and – after two extremely difficult tests against Sunderland today and Barnsley on Tuesday – things could look worse. They could also look better.

But Askey has a lot of work to do to get a section of Shrewsbury supporters onside.

The lack of empathy towards Town’s boss from a section of fans on social media has been plain and clear. Social media, where anyone can voice opinions loudly without necessarily facing the consequences of being called out on them, should never be used to gauge the opinion of a football fanbase.

But there are Shrews fans that have been calling for ‘Askey out’ for a few weeks now. That seems unfair and unjust given the context of last season and the summer. But it is a fact that cannot be ignored.

Hope is not all lost for Askey. If he can guide his side on a run of positive and consistent results, albeit in a tough run of fixtures, he may begin to turn the tide.

The blue and amber army are not a fanbase that have totally turned. The atmosphere in stadia is always more telling about fans’ feelings and the vitriol has not been all-consuming.

Sure there have been groans and questions aimed at the manager regarding selections, substitutions and effort.

Boos have, at times, greeted the half-time and full-time whistle. But they have not been loud, piercing and from everyone.

Indeed Shrews players would claim – Josh Laurent did so after last week’s loss at Fleetwood – that they have deserved the boos a lot of the time.

So what can Askey do to win over fans calling for change at this relatively early stage?

Football is a results business and that is the obvious answer. But it is not always that black and white.

For example, very few – if any – Town fans expect two wins from the home games with Sunderland and Barnsley. So what is deemed acceptable.

A point? Maybe. Two points? Good. Three or more is great.

But above and beyond that, supporters want a performance to cling to.

Of course, they would take a 1-0 win, with a goal bouncing in off the referee’s backside after defending for 90 minutes. But more realistic and comforting would be a fighting, spirited performance.

Most supporters would surely accept a narrow defeat at the hands of Sunderland and even Barnsley if it meant Askey ordered his troops into a clear formation, where Town players ran as hard and true as their more illustrious visitors.

It would be easy to see these two games, particularly the Sunderland visit, as free hits.

But, given the start to the season, there are no free matches – especially to supporters who feel disillusioned. Some consistent selections would go some way to banishing Askey’s critics.

Last week Town played three fixtures and lined up with three different formations.

Alright, one was the Checkatrade Trophy where experimentation is fine, but it does little to cement a style or formula for players.

For fans it becomes detached and convoluted. Some will think the manager is unsure of his Plan A, his best team.

Clearly he prefers a 4-3-3, used for most of the season and used to build up a run of some decent results and not many losses.

If Askey can manage to select, fitness allowing, a consistent line-up and get them running after his every order, then he has hope of winning over the doubters.

The buck stops with wins. Those are not expected in the next two games, but as long as Askey’s Shrews show some grit and spirit, they will have the chance to prove their quality in a kinder run of League One fixtures.