Video: Mellon demands fight from Town
Manager Micky Mellon is mystified at Shrewsbury Town's lack of fight from certain players – and warned those who don't will be axed.
Town are still searching for their first win of the season after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Oldham when James Collins's 70th-minute strike cancelled out Liam Kelly's 52nd-minute penalty.
For the second successive game, the Shrews were lacklustre for an hour, only perking up following the introduction of substitutes Jordan Clark, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and especially Shaun Whalley.
And Mellon is looking for a major improvement.
"We've got to start with that enthusiasm and love for the game from the first minute because I just don't understand it," said the boss.
"Everyone who knows anything about my teams since I've been here knows they have to fight because if they can't, they won't last with me – I want people who battle and are proud of what we do.
"I want us to fight for the jersey and for each other.
"It's not about putting it in, it's about working smarter and doing the job the players have been asked to do.
"Too many didn't do that against Oldham. It just took us far too long to get going.
"We had a chat afterwards and we're miffed as to why we it took us so long to get tight and play with any freedom and get going."
Mellon admitted his subs made all the difference.
"Jordan Clark, Shaun Whalley and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro came on and added to the few that were battling and got us back into the game," he said.
Mellon made an unprompted reference to the 364 travelling fans for not turning on the team.
"The fans kept us going," he said. "They could have turned on us but every credit to them, they kept us going all the way."