Bennett praised the spirit of the club as Town grab important win
By Matt Johnson
On-loan defender Julian Bennett praised the spirit of the club as Town recovered from a run of five defeats in six matches with a resilient 1-0 victory over Crewe.
Three away defeats on the spin ensured Town’s winless season away from Greenhous Meadow continued, so a return home offered welcome relief as the visitors from Crewe were left short-changed.
“If we can win our home games, that’s always a good platform to work off,” said Bennett. “I think if we can continue that and then start improving away from home then I think we should be ok.
“Since I’ve been here the boys have been quality. Obviously when things aren’t going too well, that’s the time when you need to stick together and over the past few games I think we have done that.
“At Leyton Orient we were unlucky to concede a late goal, but everyone has stuck together - Fans, players, coaching staff, and that’s what you need.”
A fourth clean sheet of the season, and a first in six games, comes as a timely boost for the Town rearguard. Bennett in particular was pleased to have played his part in the shutout, but refused to underestimate the defensive impact of the whole team.
“A clean sheet is great. The back four get credit for it but at the end of the day it’s from the whole team and when you concede goals it’s not just about the back four either.
“It’s what we’ve been working on in training this week and it’s come off today. The gaffer has had us all closing down from top to bottom of the team and I think everyone all over the pitch was fantastic and put a shift in – and that’s what you’ve got to do to get results. It might not have been the prettiest, but that’s it and we’ve got the three points and a clean sheet and that is a bonus for me.”
Victory combined with results elsewhere has seen Town leapfrog out of the relegation zone and Bennett believes that could be the catalyst to boost confidence, especially ahead of a crucial tie with MK Dons on Tuesday.
“It’s a fantastic lift to get out of it. Obviously you don’t want to be in that bottom part of the table, but it we just keep focusing from now to the end of the season, keep working on our strengths and improving our weaknesses by sticking together, then I think we can get the results.
“MK Dons are up at the top end of the table. I think if we keep improving and working, putting shifts in like we have, then I don’t see why we can’t get another three points. But it’s got to be about a good team performance and I think we’re capable of it.”
Shrewsbury Town v MK Dons, Tue 20 Nov 7:45pm, tickets available here