Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts: Late win should give us belief
Sam Ricketts wants his ‘buoyant’ Shrewsbury Town players to take confidence and belief from their superb comeback victory against Coventry.
Substitute Shaun Whalley was the Town hero as he marked his return from a month’s injury lay-off to come off the bench and smash in a fine late winner.
Scott Golbourne had brought Ricketts’ side level midway through the second half after the hosts trailed at the break following Coventry’s first-half effort as Town struggled to get going in a sluggish first period.
But Ricketts, up against the club where he called time on his playing career, labelled the manner of the victory ‘massive’ as Shrews climb one place to 11th – just three points off the play-off positions.
“It is a big win, it’s a massive three points to keep us ticking over,” Ricketts said. “The manner of the result should give everyone belief and confidence. To be 1-0 down and come back and win the game is excellent. I’m not saying we were scintillating, but we pushed them in the second half.
“They couldn’t really get out, they resulted to playing long balls. Our defence stood up in the second half to individually challenges.
“We nullified their attacks physically and with pace and it made the difference.”
The boss added on his squad: “They’re buoyant, obviously.
“It’s the manner of the win, the belief. We’ve come back to get points.
“We nearly came back last time (at home in the league) against Bristol Rovers and all the feeling after that game is flipped on its head in the changing room after coming back and turning it around.”
Ricketts said he was delighted for ‘great lad’ Whalley to cap his injury return with a first goal in 10 months.
And the boss paid tribute to the backing his side received inside Montgomery Waters Meadow.
He said: “I’m fortunate, the supporters here appreciate football and where the club’s been.
“There are so many loyal supporters who’ve been coming for years. I speak to them about going from Gay Meadow to here and seeing where the club has come. We’re trying to take it on and improve it. The vast majority of supporters can see that. We’re certainly not done or content with where we are.
“We want to get better and we have to have a base to play from.”
Captain Ollie Norburn picked up a fifth booking of the season and will be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Blackpool.
