Head of academy coaching left frustrated
Ian Dawes was left scratching his head once again as to how Shrewsbury Town’s youth team took nothing from the game against Bury on Saturday.Two second-half goals from Anthony Dudley gave the Shakers' Under-18s a 2-0 win at Turton Football Club over the weekend – despite Town dominating the game with numerous chances.
And Dawes, head of academy coaching, believes key decision-making and a lack of cutting edge in attack is all that’s missing from his side at the moment.
“It was the same as every week, unfortunately,” said Dawes.
“We dominate a game of football and against Bury, more than most, we kept possession really well, our shape was good and we created more chances than we have done in other games, but it’s the same story.
“They were poor goals to concede bearing in mind they had three opportunities and took two of them.
“At the other end, without exaggerating, we had probably seven one on ones that we need to be scoring, and that was the only difference in the game.
“It’s not down to luck, either, it’s down to quality. Luck is if it happens in one game, but quality is over a period of games.
“We have been better than every team we’ve played against this season.”
Town’s Under-18s travel to Burton Albion for Round 2 of the Youth Alliance Cup North next, on Saturday 4 October (11am kick-off).
And Dawes has warned that things must improve if Town are to remain in the competition.
“If we don’t take out chances we’ll be out, and if we don’t defend a make our decisions well then we’ll be out,” said Dawes.
“It’s the same in the league. If we do it then we won’t pick up points.
“Performance-wise we should be up there near the top of the league. I think the only ones who have come close to us have been Walsall, but that was a pretty even game of football as well.”
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