'No cliques' - Will Boyle calls for togetherness and honest conversations at Shrewsbury Town
Will Boyle says togetherness and honest conversations will be crucial for Shrewsbury Town as they look to halt their slide.
Salop travel to Newport County on Saturday, who are battling at the bottom of League Two, aiming to bounce back from three consecutive defeats.
After conceding four without reply last weekend, Boyle admitted the Town squad must look in the mirror as they seek a response.
Asked whether togetherness is important, he said: “Yes, I think so. We can't be going off in cliques, having conversations, blaming other people. Everyone's got to look at themselves first.
"From there, once we're open and honest with ourselves and the group, that's when you learn. You have to be able to be honest, put your ego aside and review performances from a place of not personal, but professional.
“From there, you can learn, you can be honest, can have honest conversations. That is something that we have to do.”
Newport, who sit just one point above the relegation zone, have also suffered back-to-back defeats as they fight for survival.
Boyle said those honest conversations have been a key part of Gavin Cowan’s tenure so far, regardless of results.
“We've had that so far since the gaffer has come in,” the defender added.
“We've won games and the analysis, Salford being an example, isn't all hunky-dory. It wasn't 'well done, another win, brilliant performance'.
“Ultimately, we play an invasion game, which is low scoring. You can play well some weeks and end up on the wrong side of it.
“That wasn't the case today, I'm not saying that at all. We weren't good enough.”
Boyle has captained Salop in John Marquis’ absence through injury. The 30-year-old has started every league game since the clash with Accrington Stanley in late August, aside from the trip to Grimsby Town in December, when he was suspended.
Shrewsbury head into the weekend with an 11-point cushion above the relegation zone, and Boyle was quick to thank the club’s supporters for their continued backing.
He said: “It was tough for them. They were still getting behind us after the wind got took out of our sails.
“They've travelled really well all season. They've backed us really well at home all season.
“They've had a tough season and we've had a tough season, but the support hasn't wavered. All we can do is be grateful for that and try and put it right.”