Analysis: A golden opportunity for Shrewsbury and John Askey to salvage some credit passed them by

At half-time, after Shrewsbury had gone stride-for-stride with their high-profile, headlining visitors Sunderland, there was a faint sense of optimism in the air.

But two second half goals gave the Black Cats what ended up a routine victory.

Askey had few complaints with his side after the game. He said they ‘gave their everything’. But supporters left the Meadow with yet more concerns and did nothing to alleviate – instead only increased – the pressure on the Town boss.

Never mind having a black cat cross his path before the game, Askey was probably left feeling like he’d driven over a moggie or two with the way his team fell behind, because Sunderland’s opener was cruel on Town. Just shy of the hour mark Omar Beckles’ run of difficult form was condemned after he shanked a run-of-the-mill cross into his own net.

At that point Salop didn’t deserve to be behind. Jack Ross’ promotion favourites had slightly improved after the break but had barely troubled their hosts. But it was a free ticket into the lead.

The reaction was a concern. Town’s heads slumped and they never truly looked like they believed they could find an equaliser. Perhaps some of that comes down to knowing they were up against a (supposed) quality outfit.

But, understandably, given a lack of wins, confidence is not high within the ranks. Sunderland, billed as a side with real match-winning individuals, were there to be got at. Despite their impressive away support they looked like they didn’t fancy mixing it with Salop in the first half.

At half-time there was no telling which side were a Premier League outfit just two seasons ago. No sign which team pays their players more than 10-times the opposition. Shrews responded to the crowd and the occasion and got at Sunderland, who didn’t like it.

But they did it for 45 minutes maximum and were not rewarded for it. Again. It was another day where they did not perform for anywhere near 90 minutes. The same lessons have not been learned.

Shaun Whalley found the woodwork with a free-kick delivery from wide and a couple of headers went goalwards from corners. But aside from that Town ended a period of relative comfort with no clear-cut chances.

Town looked comfortable at the back, dominant in midfield but with no cohesion, craft or spark in the final third. Lee Angol looked largely absent in the lone centre-forward role.

Turning dominance into goals and results has been an issue all season.

Another problem that has faced Askey is team selection, formation, and generally going with how he sees his best side. That bit him the previous week at Fleetwood where the boss owned up to getting it wrong.

In a bid to go back to basics he reverted to 4-3-3, a system Town have used in 95 per cent of games and one that had begun to make them look a reasonably solid outfit.

Unlike on the Fylde coast and on other occasions this term, there were no grumbles at the sight of Askey’s line up. Greg Docherty and Angol were recalled, two players Town fans have wanted to see in the team.

Beckles labelled himself as ‘Mr Motivator’ in the week but the popular defender will need an arm or two around his shoulder after a tough run of form.

He has looked short on confidence and belief out of position at left-back for a while. Ironically the telling moment on Saturday, when he sliced in the wrong direction, was a case of him adjusting his feet to use his stronger right foot over the left.

It cost Town. He took another left-footed swipe at the air shortly after while still recovering. But Beckles’ team-mates did little to rally things all over the park.

At least Askey, who will be feeling the heat and questions from dissatisfied supporters going into tomorrow’s Barnsley clash, tried to change things shortly after.

He sent on Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Ryan Haynes and shifted from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 with wing-backs to accommodate two centre-forward in search of an equaliser.

Town were lifting balls in but it never looked planned. Sunderland threw everything back out and, while Town were chasing, it felt inevitable a killer second blow would be landed down the other end.

Askey has a job on his hands to raise his troops for tomorrow’s similarly tough – if not tougher – visit of Barnsley. The boss admitted it was a quiet dressing room afterwards.

Barnsley, although having lost at Charlton on Saturday, are an extremely tough proposition. One of the best teams in the division.

Town, and more so Askey, are in need of a performance tomorrow night. Supporters that turn up will demand that and if they don’t, could lose patience.

I wrote on Saturday how the boss needs to inspire fight and spirit into his players. He got that for the majority of 45 minutes against a decent Sunderland outfit but it was nowhere near enough.

Fourteen games into the League One season it is, surely, too far gone to be saying ‘they played well for 45 minutes’ or ‘they did OK and matched the opposition but didn’t take their chances’.

The cutting edge Town have struggled with all season again made them pay and you fear that could be an issue until January at its earliest. With Whalley (calf) limping off and a major doubt.

Bottom four side Oxford loom on Saturday and, dependant on tomorrow night, that could have a huge say in which direction Askey and Town are heading.