Gavin Cowan slams Shrewsbury Town players after Rochdale defeat

A deflated Gavin Cowan said his Shrewsbury Town side were “devoid of any desire to win” in a miserable night at Rochdale.

The Salop boss delivered a lengthy response to his first question after Town’s 3-0 defeat in Greater Manchester, laying into his players after another poor display.

Shrewsbury failed to build on their first League Two win days earlier, suffering a third defeat in four league matches, and without scoring.

“Disappointment is an understatement,” said boss Cowan.

“First of all, it’s such a long way to come for the fans. I am gutted that we couldn’t put on more of a show.

“Gutted that they’ve had to travel on a Tuesday night for us to not perform.

“We’ve had 16 shots and it didn’t even feel like we were going to score.

“I thought we were really poor. What’s hard for me is I don’t know what I’m going to get from my players. And that’s on me, obviously I’ve signed them.

“I’ve always said that their ability is on me. Their conditioning is obviously a combination of them and us. Mentality is them - and tonight for me was all about mentality.

“They were devoid of any desire to win. I think we were missing six or seven lads who were just really poor.

“Sometimes in these games, you carry a couple, the lads rally round, get round them. But tonight, I am really disappointed.

“It hurts. Getting a little boo from the fans, I understand it. I’m gutted, it absolutely hurts.”

Town found themselves two goals down at the break after being punished for mistakes and poor defending, before Rochdale added a third 10 minutes from time.

Cowan said his side also “lacked bravery” and gave the ball away too easily in another disappointing night on the road - just a week after they were thrashed 4-0 by Fleetwood Town in the EFL Cup.

“There’s some unbelievable players in our changing room, there’s an array of talent,” Cowan added.

“It’s really balanced in terms of how we want to play. But our minimum requirements are hard work, desire, and do a job-and-a-half.

“Too many of them didn’t do that. Too many of them didn’t do that tonight. So apologies to everyone.”