Shrewsbury boss John Askey questions his players' desire after Oxford defeat
Shrewsbury boss John Askey questioned the desire of his players after a dreadful 3-0 defeat at Oxford United.
Town returned to losing ways after Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Barnsley as two sloppy goals inside 14 minutes undone Askey's visitors.
The Shrews manager was at a loss to explain his team's abject start and questioned his players' inconsistency, their willingness and desire.
Under-pressure Askey leads a Salop team 19th in League One, winless on the road after eight games and just one point above the drop zone.
He said: "I think you've got to make people realise how important it is, what it means to everybody.
"I'm sure they do but I've got to emphasise the fact that I'm not happy. Today I'm not at all happy.
"I don't want to be stood on the touchline watching that and I'm sure the supporters don't want to be watching that.
"They've got to realise and hold themselves accountable because it wasn't down to tactics or anything to do with shape, it was just down to a lack of desire today which is disappointing for a manager."
When asked what the players could expect this week he replied: "Hard work really, that's all we can do.
"Get back on the training ground and re-emphasise what was said today – if you want to win games, you've got to pull your sleeves up.
"Work hard closing people down, win your headers, win tackles and then things will happen for you.
"If you're not prepared to do that then you know what to expect."
