Michael Appleton on Shrewsbury Town 'baby steps' as Salop chief lays down fresh challenge to players
Michael Appleton insists his side are taking 'baby steps' after a rotten start to the season - and has challenged his players to replicate their EFL Trophy display in the league.
After an opening day draw - Salop have lost five games on the trot in all competitions, with their latest league defeat coming courtesy of a last minute goal at Swindon on Saturday.
But they received a timely boost in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, as goals from Tommy McDermott, John Marquis and Will Boyle helped them to a 3-1 win over Chelsea U21s.
They came from behind to dominate large parts of the game - and arguably could have won by more with the chances they created in the game.
Appleton acknowledged that the win will give his players a boost after a miserable start to the season - but he also admits it was a timely pick up for himself too.
He said: "It does give me a boost. After what happened and the disappointment we felt last Wednesday and then Saturday, when we got the equaliser it genuinely felt we would win it.
"Then to lose that way was a sickener, so to do what we have on the back of what has happened has given us an even bigger boost, and it gives me plenty of confidence going forward."
Salop now return to league action on Saturday when they welcome Accrington Stanley - looking to get their first League Two victory on the board.
And Appleton has now challenged his players to avoid the EFL Trophy performance being a one off - and take it into the weekend.
He added: "I would love the players to take that same intensity, attitude and application into the weekend. They have set the tone and hopefully they can continue it.
"Winning can become a habit as much as losing, and the reality is there has been a losing habit at this club for three years, lets not mess about there.
"It is difficult to change it, you can't just go bang and change it.
"It is baby steps we need to take, and sometimes it has to get really bad before it gets better.
"The players know the reality is the harder you work the luckier you get, and we are working really, really hard at the minute.
"They've not had a lot of luck but if we continue to stick to it we will get there."
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